Problem - shrub seems to be dying

peweuk

Last year we planted 7 shrubs in a row in the same bed in front of the house.

 Six of them appear to be fine but the seventh is very poorly.

 

If anyone can suggest what is wrong with the plant and any reason why this may be happening I would really appreciate any input.

 

Thanks

 

peweuk

Thanks Tetley.

They occupy a position where we previously planted some Birch most of which had problems and we were told it could have been because of the soil being saturated from a run off from a garage roof which was about 2 metres away. This plant is closest to the garage - however I did re align the draining of the roof so it went off at the other end of the garage into a field.

We replaced the Beech with these because we were told they were very hard and would tolerate the wet a lot more than Birch.

What food would you suggest trying if I dig the soil around the plant to break it up a bit. ( The soil is a very clay consistency). 

Chrissy the gardener

If you do intend to dig the plant up I would take it back to the nursery, most plants at a nursery have a twelve month guarantee. Then you could plant a new one after Improving the soil.

peweuk

Thanks I will try that and report back later in the year - hopefully with good news.

In the meantime here is a picture of the location of the plant in question.

It is (obviously) the one on the left.

 

 

pansyface

I agree with Tetley. They need to be planted more deeply in better quality soil. You could earth them up with some thick mulch and water it in well if you don't want to disturb their roots yet again. But the one near the right still has the outline that the compost had in its pot. Did you tease the roots loose before you put them in the ground? If not, they will just continue to grow round and round in circles rather than branching out for pastures new. That will restrict their growth.

It takes a lot to make a laurel look brown like that. Fire does it. Chemical spill onto the soil does it. Weedkiller on the plant does it. A large dog's urine might just do it.

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peweuk

Thanks guys.

I agree it looks like the ground is concrete in the photo. It is in fact clay which has formed a crust due to the dry weather recently.

The third plant did blow over recently due to the high winds and I had to stake them as they were all wobbling in the wind - the stakes went in the first few inches quite easily and did not appear to cause any force on the roots (I hope).

We have no chemical spill in or around the garden.

We do have a couple of dog walkers use the lane infrequently and I have never seen the dogs near the plants - but who knows what goes on when you are not watching.

I dug the damaged plant out today and did notice that the original potting compost was sodden, I re-planted it in a pot to try and 'dry' it out a bit.

From what you are all suggesting, should I take them all out, loosen the root ball and re-plant in a good compost/bonemeal/grit before the weather warms up too much and they start to grow?

pansyface

In a word, yes.

Stevedaylilly

Hi



As as been already stated, the soil that the laurels are planted in looks quite poor and very dry. Your soil need improving with good quality manure and if clay soil then sharp sand and grit incorporated aswell. It would be beneficial to take up the plants and inspect the root balls.. You can then untangle any congested root balls so that the roots start growing in to your new enriched soil. Keep them well watered with one good watering each week that is more beneficial to a plant than watering it short and little. Laurel is a tough plant and should survive all that has been suggested

Good luck and remember if you pay a ??1 for a plant then pay ??2 for what you put in the soil

peweuk

Thanks for all the input and advice.

Following the recommendations here I will set about 'soil conditioning and replanting' this weekend but have one question.

I'll dig the clay soil over adding some top soil, compost, sharp sand and blood/bone meal.

What should I consider as the minimum area around each plant that I should  'condition' intitally to replant them in and to what depth - ultimately I will endeavour to do something with the hole area shown in the photo.

Thanks

pansyface

I'd say a square metre in surface area and 40 to 50 cms deep at least. You want to give them encouragement to spread their roots out and to anchor the trees well. What you don't want to create is a sump of soft soil which collects the rainwater that leaches out of the surrounding clay. That way lies waterlogging and an early death.