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Poorly Laurel Hedge
BenDover
Posts: 488
Any ideas what is causing this mottling on a well established laurel hedge. Also, something has been eating it. The new shoots have had the majority of the new leaves being removed leaving just green stems. There is also damage on older leaves as per the picture. It did suffer mildew in the summer (which has been a persistent problem for a few years now). Ground underneath is as dry as a bone despite the recent rain, and I've just cleared a load of old dried dead leaves from underneath it to let the water thru'.
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The holes look like they could be caused by adult vine weevils which are one of the few pests which seem able to resist the poison in laurel leaves. However, I find it difficult to believe their grubs could damage the roots of an established laurel to the extent that would cause the yellow patches, so suspect that is a general nutrient deficiency. Give them a feed of fish, blood and bone in spring which should sort that out. I would also put down a good 4 inch layer of home-made compost or well-rotted farmyard manure in about a month's time. The worms will incorporate this into the soil thus improving it over time and helping it to not dry out. Don't put the mulch down until after a good few weeks of rain has already thoroughly soaked the soil though or it will have the opposite effect.
Last edited: 11 September 2016 14:46:50