Below Par looking Spotted Laurel and Hebe shrubs
Dave Humby
Posts: 1,145
I have a retaining bank on one boundary which has very poor soil quality. By its nature the sub-base is made up of all sorts of rubble and rocks etc.
Most of the plants on the bank seem to be doing OK so I'm guessing when they were planted there was some good amount of better quality soil added to planting area.
When I planted the Hebe(?) below I had to use a pick-axe(!) but I made the hole large and added a lot of multi-purpose compost and it seems to be happy although I've now noticed quite a lot of yellowing to the leaves. Is this just the time of the year or is it in need of some help?
The second plant in question - a spotted laurel (?) - is further up the bank and in a very shady area due to the fence and mature ash trees providing cover. It really does look sorry for itself. Should I consider digging it out and adding some compost to the area and replant it or...?
Thanks.
Posts
My first thought would be a bit of all-purpose timed release fertiliser. Have you by any chance taken away any large tree near the Aucuba? The other reason for yellowing might be if it is in too much sun. They are understorey plants. They both look fairly OK to me, as in, not on their last legs, so I'd try the fertiliser first and work from there.
The aucuba does look droopy compared to mine and looks too yellow to me. Do you know how long it's been there?
I have an area where things are yellow. A mystery to me until OH pointed out that all the dumped brick rubble came with an attachment of lime mortar. What's your rubble?
In the sticks near Peterborough