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Poorly hebe
SparklesJD
Posts: 344
I inherited this hebe when we moved here nearly 3 years ago and it's never been what I would call 'happy', but for the last couple of weeks, its looked downright miserable!
In the first photo, you can see the trees in next-door's garden which go all the way along, to the right is a big hedge (possibly privet).
I have problems planting anything there, suckers grow under the fence and it's always dry and compacted (hence the pot). Weeds, naturally, do really well, but everything else tends to die.
It's full sun, our soil is heavy clay.
Can I save it or would it be better to dig it up and plant something else? If so, what would survive there? I've given it a good soak and some feed since taking the picture.
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Hi Sparkles. Sorry but I think your Hebe is beyond recovery. I would dig it up. If you didn't mind just having perennials rather than shrubs then hardy Geraniums would probably be able to manage in that situation and they come in several varieties and colours.
Thanks Ladybird, I suspected as much! It's a shame that it's died, but I'm not too heartbroken, as it's never looked that great.
Believe it or not, I tried planting some hardy geraniums around there last year and they died! I will try again - maybe without the hebe around they'll do OK...
Geranium phaeum is a good one to try.
Quite a few plants would survive there. Give the ground a dig over and incorporate some compost. Then try hardy geraniums as suggested, alchemilla mollis, vincas, epimediums, some shrubs like skimmias or spirea, lavender if it is sunny etc. Keep the plants well watered for the first couple of months or during the summer if it is hot, until they get established. You should be good to go.