You won't be able to remove them later as you will need a pick axe and probably disturb the roots of the others. But if you want them like that, it's up to you, but I would absolutely advise you to cut them by half all along the row.
Do it now, level right along the row with a sharp pair of secateurs. If and when they do start growing again, keep picking out the tops and the ends of the side shoots, I know it sounds drastic and you are keen for a quick hedge, but they will benefit from this treatment in the long run.
i haven't got a photo of mine at the moment, but looked after now will give you a lovely hedge in about three years time.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
I'll cut them over the weekend, does it matter where I cut them as I read somewhere about cutting them above areas which are sprouting or does it not matter
Also where the leaves have turned yellow & look dry will this resolve itself
That's the best way just above a bud, and no, afraid the dead leaves will never come right, as they drop of you can clear them away and hopefully new ones will grow. Give them plenty of water.
Don't put any sort of feed on them just yet, they will try to make top growth at the expense of the roots, let them build a good root system, then you can feed if you want to, but I think you will find they'll be just fine as they are, I've never fed mine.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
Just another thought, when you planted these, were they bare roots or in some kind of net bags, or were they in pots, I assume as you had them done professionally they were planted correctly.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
Hi, it's been 10 days since I trimmed the hedges, the plants appear to be getting worse, a lot of the leaves are turning brown and shrivelling up, I haven't seen any sign of new growth, I've attached some pictures, I have been watering the plants but not as much as I was to avoid drowning the roots again. It is quite worrying now.
You mentioned a landscaping company planted them. Did they put down a membrane around them?
Just wondering as it can be difficult to tell how wet the soil is to ensure the correct amount of water is applied. Damp can be locked in under a membrane and deep layer of bark chippings, causing rot issues, particularly on newly planted plants and trees. Laurels aren't the easiest of hedges to get going at the best of timesnbut once established, they are pretty hardy.
It may be worthwhile removing an area of bark around some test plants to see how damp the soil is under the bark (and membrane). If there is a membrane, be careful about damaging it as you may have to call the landscape company back to have a look and possibly re-plant, if they offer any form of guarantee.
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You won't be able to remove them later as you will need a pick axe and probably disturb the roots of the others. But if you want them like that, it's up to you, but I would absolutely advise you to cut them by half all along the row.
Do it now, level right along the row with a sharp pair of secateurs. If and when they do start growing again, keep picking out the tops and the ends of the side shoots, I know it sounds drastic and you are keen for a quick hedge, but they will benefit from this treatment in the long run.
i haven't got a photo of mine at the moment, but looked after now will give you a lovely hedge in about three years time.
Thanks,
I'll cut them over the weekend, does it matter where I cut them as I read somewhere about cutting them above areas which are sprouting or does it not matter
Also where the leaves have turned yellow & look dry will this resolve itself
That's the best way just above a bud, and no, afraid the dead leaves will never come right, as they drop of you can clear them away and hopefully new ones will grow. Give them plenty of water.
Don't put any sort of feed on them just yet, they will try to make top growth at the expense of the roots, let them build a good root system, then you can feed if you want to, but I think you will find they'll be just fine as they are, I've never fed mine.
Just another thought, when you planted these, were they bare roots or in some kind of net bags, or were they in pots, I assume as you had them done professionally they were planted correctly.
They were bare root, they were planted by a landscaping company, hopefully they were planted correctly
I'll post a pic once i've trimmed them down
Please do keep us up to date with their progress, I'm sure they'll pick up. You'll be pruning them back before you know it.?
I had some spare time today so went around and trimmed all of the plants
fingers crossed
thats brilliant, they look better already, they will soon grow, keep well watered in this dry spell, keep us updated please.
You mentioned a landscaping company planted them. Did they put down a membrane around them?
Just wondering as it can be difficult to tell how wet the soil is to ensure the correct amount of water is applied. Damp can be locked in under a membrane and deep layer of bark chippings, causing rot issues, particularly on newly planted plants and trees. Laurels aren't the easiest of hedges to get going at the best of timesnbut once established, they are pretty hardy.
It may be worthwhile removing an area of bark around some test plants to see how damp the soil is under the bark (and membrane). If there is a membrane, be careful about damaging it as you may have to call the landscape company back to have a look and possibly re-plant, if they offer any form of guarantee.