Cherry Laurel with yellow leaves

woodhead.mark

Hi, would appreciate some help with a 5 year old cherry laurel hedge. The leaves on 3 to 4 plants have yellow leaves and what looks like shot hole disease. The hedge is now 7ft tall and growth has never been a problem. The back of the hedge is against a brick wall and the water doesn't always reach the ground from rainfall. The end 2 plants at the other end are a healthy glossy green but grown in similar conditions.

Any advice please?

Borderline

Cherry Laurels are tough shrubs once established. It's very hard to diagnose the reasons for any type of shot hole diseases since it could be a number of factors that could be local environmental stress to damage to branches/trunks which will affect the shrub. You hint that the shrubs may not be getting even watering into the root area. That means, you may need to water them every now and then, especially in long dry spells.

You mention a wall, and the fact that water may not be able to get round the back, that could be a sign that you have planted your plants too dense originally. Plus no room and air circulation around the plants are a common problem that later causes issues. Don't be concerned with thinning out some branches, this may help your shrub.

The type of soil and how to keep your shrub stable during hot to wet months is also another important, since dry soils will stress the plant whilst excessive damp that lingers in and around the leaves will also spread and harbour diseases.

For now, collect any dead leaves that drop and only prune your shrub in dry weather. Disinfect your tools after cutting and make sure the base of your shrubs are well mulched with a very thick layer of good compost or bark chips. Finally, water the shrubs in long excessive dry spells aiming only at the base and never from the top. Hopefully, your shrubs will improve over time.

woodhead.mark

Thank you.

Should I use a fertiliser or soil agent to help with green growth?

Borderline

Yes, you can do that as a boost, or if you don't have bark mulch, you could always add a nice thick layer of compost along the bottom. I find that once shrubs have established, just a nice new layer of compost is enough to keep the shrub happy, as long as all other things are followed through throughout the year.

Pruning in dry weather, clear fallen leaves from around the base of shrubs and water the shrubs if there are prolonged drought in the hotter months.