Forum home› Problem solving

Box Hedge dead?

nclarkepettynclarkepetty Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Hi all, 
We've inherited a wonderful garden. I would be very grateful for help with this box hedge (photos attached). It appears dead at first but if you scrape the brown away you can see some green and perhaps signs of life. Could anyone advise me if I can revive it and if so how best to go about this? Thank you, Niall

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,180
    Hi @nclarkepetty. I wouldn't hold out much hope for that  :(
    It looks well gone I'm afraid, but it depends how keen you are to give it a chance.

    If it was mine, I'd remove and replace, but it's totally up to you. It's always an opportunity for something different though, when something gives up the ghost. 

    Someone else may offer other advice and info though.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • nclarkepettynclarkepetty Posts: 3
    Thank you for your reply @Fairygirl . I am keen to give it a chance especially as some of the branches appear green underneath all that brown. Also at the bottom of some of branches tiny green leaves have appeared. I've also cut it back by about a third.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,180
    If there's some greenery there - no harm in giving it a go @nclarkepetty :)
    Always hard to see form photos. It would be helpful if you also clear away any mess from the base, as good airflow is vital if it's had blight.
    Give it a good water and a little slow release food - BF&Bone for example. A little mulch of compost if you have any will also help afterwards. 
    Good luck - fingers crossed  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • B3B3 Posts: 24,435
    I cut a considerably smaller hedge down to sticks. It did nothing for a year or so and now it's sprouting. It will take years to grow to a reasonable size. I agree that you'd probably be better off replacing yours with one of the alternatives.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,180
    Is it in a sunny spot? I sort of assumed as there was a  seat there.

    If you decide to chuck them, a good substitute is one of the Hebes. There are a few with very similar foliage Hebe buxifolia [clue's in the name  ;) ] is one, and H. ventricosa is another. Bonus of flowers too. :)
    Worth thinking about maybe, although it will be tricky getting any new plants for a while, but you can ponder it just in case  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 10,798
    Yes, I'd dig it up as well, flogging a dead horse come to mind. Clear the ground well and dig in some well rotted manure (if you can get hold of any and if you don't want to replant with lavender) before you plant again.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,688
    I also agree, it's just easier to remove them all even if there seems to be new life, they will continue to struggle and you will lose years of greenery. If you want to keep an evergreen at that height, Euonymus Fortunei are good alternatives. They do well in sun or shade. Not too fussy with soil conditions either. 
  • nclarkepettynclarkepetty Posts: 3
    Thank you everyone for your kind advice. I'm going to get the hedge a chance over the spring and summer. If nothing comes of it, I'll dig it up as advised. 
Sign In or Register to comment.