In March this year I planted a bare root mixed wildlife hedge from Hedging Direct, including: Field maple, Hornbeam, Black thorn, Dog Rose & Wild privet. I used mycorrhizal fungi and bone meal as suggested by the site.
Unfortunately a substantial number of the plants have failed. While some don't have any leaf growth, the stems are still a bit bendy and they pass the scratch test. However some are properly dead – the stems snapping and no green to be seen after scratching around the base.
I have contacted Hedging Direct and provided pictures, and true to their 12-month guarantee they are sending replacements.
My question is, should I plant them again, or will they be destined to fail like this year? I'm also concerned about digging up the failed plants as I don't want to disrupt the established ones. I have attached some pics. I'm also unsure which species have failed! Can anyone offer advice? Thanks!
by Forgotten_Username91
4 Comments
Pull out the known dead ones and pop out now and get some fresh whips (bare root, small plants) from a decent nursery
Yeah agree with other responses. It was a tough year for newly planted hedges, shrubs etc – we had no rain for months… Even of you watered them heavily twice weekly it was challenging. But now is a very good time to replace them.
Buy more mature shrubs and put them in.
March is just too late to be planting bare-rooted hedges end of.And I doubt we’ll ever see a warmer drier March than this last one.Its good of the Company to honour the warranty tbf.
They-Ideally need to go in in an open period of Weather,No ember traditionally being the ideal Period.