Cheery laurel problem

chris532

Hi all,

I’m looking for some help with my newly planted cherry laurel hedge (plants are about 4 foot high / hedge is about 6 meters with plants spaced at 2 feet apart). They have been down a month. I’ve been watering them every 3 days if it’s been dry otherwise the rain gives them a good soaking. I noticed today that some of the leaves are turning yellow on all the plants (images attached). I checked the soil: I would say it was moist, so not overly wet or dry. They were planted in a newly dug trench with a mixture of compost / topsoil and bone meal to help get them established. Any help or advise would be most appreciated!

thanks

Fairygirl

I like the idea of a 'cheery' laurel @chris532
It's not unusual for evergreens to drop foliage, so don't worry too much.
They're big plants, and unfortunately, that's always going to be harder, because small plants establish quicker. Ideally, you would now cut them back by about a foot, which will help.
This will also help them bush out and thicken.
I know it sounds silly- but this is why it isn't always better to buy bigger specimens. It's a common query on the forum too.
We have a thread which has had a lot of info about laurels and their maintenance - I'll see if I can find it and give you a link to it  

Fairygirl

Here you are @chris532 - rather a lot of pages, but it'll give you a good idea 


https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/656523/help-needed-please-with-laurel-hedge-issues/p1

chris532

It’s the dyslexia coming out!  I think we all need a good cheer up at the minute. Thanks for the advice!