Hebe is not well!

Hi anybody here!
I have a couple of Hehe's that have thrived for years,but one has taken a really bad turn for the worse and I have no idea why.
They are both relatively close together and are huge,but the one is looking really sad.
I chopped off some dead leaves a couple of weeks ago,but it looks as though there is a problen with the entire branch.
Can I safely cut off the branch or is it dying please.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t96/blueboy8_photo/hebe001_edited.jpg?t=1223817672

 

To be honest, Loopy, I think it`s on the way out, so you may as well cut out all the brown stuff and see what happens. Hebes are one of the few shrubs that can be cut back into old wood and rejuvenate.:thumb:

 

Only problem though is the frost may get the new shoots, personally Id probably leave the entire thing to the spring then either prune hard back and wait for growth or replace.

 

^+1

Done at the right time of year I have been pretty brutal with hebes for myself and customers to good effect.:thmb:

 

I agree with Pro Gaurd, leave it til spring before cutting it right back to prevent frost damage.:thumb:

 

Cut it back, If the stem is dead it doesn`t matter, if new growth appears it will be protected by the existing foliage.

 

Hi Loopy,

I don`t envy you. Two differing professional opinions, do you cut? or not?



I am with the cut it gang on this one, if its dead its dead.

 

Id say cut it back to i mean who wants to look at that till spring :wink: but then in the spring id cut the lot hard back :D:thmb:

 

Too right, Spud.:thumb::D

 

I had it happen once, the whole centre of the hebe just kept on dying further and further back. Still don`t know what happened-although after a bit of research, I now suspect some clown probably trod on it or dropped creosote or something on it. It`s still looks sad-I tied some of the lower branches together to try to dishuise it and will have to grow a clematis over and through it I think

 

Now on thinking back to the early Summer,I suspect something like a cat walking on my fence has fallen into it...there was a huge hole exactly where the problem is!
Claire...I think you have hit the nail on the head on this one...well done.:thumb:
I will cut off the entire branch I think and see how it goes from there.
I appreciate all of your suggestions..cheers people.
PS:
I want a Choisia (not sure about the spelling of that)plant..is it too late to plant now?
:thmb:

 

As long as it`s container grown it can be planted at any time of year as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged.:thumb:

 

Superb advice David!