To the Rescue: How We Saved a Hedge with Laurel Leaves Turning Yellow

"Are these too far gone? Shall I just rip them out and start again?"

When Paul sent us this message back in March, along with photos of his struggling laurel hedge, we could see exactly what was going wrong. After years of watching his hedge struggle with yellowing brown leaves, poor growth, and plant losses, he was considering starting over completely.

His situation is one we encounter regularly - homeowners who have invested in quality laurel plants and followed very basic planting advice, only to watch their hedge decline over time. The good news is that with the right approach and guidance, most struggling hedges can be successfully restored.

The Initial Promise and Gradual Decline

Paul had chosen laurel hedges for practical reasons. He needed a reliable screen at the front of his property that would establish well and be relatively low-maintenance once established. Laurel hedges are also extremely hardy and can adapt well in various soil types and sun/shade, therefore making it an excellent choice for Paul.

His initial approach was sound: he invested in mature 5-foot plants, spaced them correctly, used quality John Innes compost, and planted at an appropriate time. The first year went well, with plants staying healthy and green, though growth was modest.

However, from the second year onwards, problems began to emerge. The plants started showing signs of stress – a few yellow leaves, deformed foliage, and leaf drop. Over the following years, six plants died and required replacement, while the survivors remained pale and struggled to establish properly. We see these problems often with customers thinking their plants are diseased however this is usually not the case – the problems are quite often easy to fix with the correct care.

Identifying the Root Causes

When we examined Paul's situation, we identified three common issues that were preventing his laurel hedge from thriving.

1. Poor Drainage

The most significant issue was seasonal waterlogging. While the surface appeared well-drained, water was collecting around the hedge roots during wet periods. The clay soil and natural water flow from the lawn toward the hedge created persistently wet conditions that laurels cannot tolerate long-term.

"When I dug down, it was absolutely sodden. They'd basically been slowly drowning," Paul discovered when he investigated further.

2. Inconsistent Nutrition

Paul had occasionally attempted feeding with liquid fertilisers, but this approach wasn't providing consistent nutrition. Liquid feeds can be quickly washed through the soil, particularly during rainy periods, before plants have time to absorb the nutrients effectively.

3. Inappropriate Watering Schedule

Well-intentioned daily watering for short periods was actually working against the hedge's establishment. While Paul had good intentions, this approach, suitable for lawns, only penetrates the top few inches of soil and doesn't encourage the deep root development that hedges need for long-term health.

The Solution: Three Targeted Improvements

Rather than starting over, we recommended addressing each issue with specific, practical solutions.

1. Improving Drainage

Paul installed a French drain system between his lawn and hedge. This consisted of a trench approximately 25cm wide and 60cm deep, filled with gravel and connected to a soakaway with an overflow. This intercepted water flowing from the lawn and prevented waterlogging around the hedge roots.

2. Establishing Regular Feeding

We recommended switching to granular fertiliser (Westland Grow More) and applying monthly during the growing season. Granular fertilisers release nutrients gradually over several weeks, providing consistent nutrition even during wet weather.

"Within a week, maybe a couple of weeks, I could see a marked difference. The colour - richer green, darker green," Paul reported after starting this routine.

3. Changing the Watering Approach

Instead of daily brief watering, Paul switched to weekly sessions lasting about two hours. This deeper watering penetrates over a foot down, reaching the full root zone and encouraging strong downward root development.

The Results Speak for Themselves

The improvements were evident within weeks of implementing these changes. Plants that had been struggling for years began showed improved colour with rich green foliage, healthy growth and were brought back to life.

The hedge's recovery was significant enough that neighbours began commenting positively on its appearance - a notable change from its previous condition.

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Key Principles for Hedge Success

Paul's experience highlights several important principles for establishing and maintaining healthy hedges:

Proper drainage is essential - Even hardy plants like laurel cannot survive in consistently waterlogged conditions.

Regular, appropriate feeding matters - Monthly granular feeding during the growing season provides the sustained nutrition that hedges need for strong growth.

Avoid overwatering - Deep, less frequent watering builds stronger root systems than frequent surface watering. See our guide on how to water a hedge for more information.

Patience and consistency pay off – Patience is a key word when it comes to planting and gardening. Proper care takes time to show results, but the improvements are typically substantial once established.

Maintaining Long-Term Success

With his hedge now established on a proper care routine, Paul follows a straightforward seasonal schedule:

• Growing season (March-September): Monthly granular feeding
• Summer watering: Weekly deep watering when rainfall is insufficient
• Winter: Feeding stops, mulch applied, drainage system manages excess water
• Annual trimming: Confident cutting to encourage dense, bushy growth

The Value of Proper Diagnosis

Paul's story demonstrates that struggling hedges often don't need replacement - they need proper care. Understanding what plants require and addressing specific issues systematically usually produces better results than starting over.

"Make sure they're not sat in water, feed them regularly through the growing season, and water them hard but not all the time. It makes perfect sense," Paul reflects on the changes that transformed his hedge.

For homeowners facing similar challenges, the key is accurate diagnosis of the underlying issues rather than assuming the plants themselves are at fault.

If your hedge isn't performing as expected, our team can help identify the specific issues affecting its growth and recommend appropriate solutions. We work with customers to develop practical care plans that fit their garden conditions and maintenance preferences.

Contact us for bespoke advice or view our full range of hedging plants.