problems with laurel plants

Please can someone help me to find out what is troubling my laurel plants.
Most of the plants have been affected by yellowing leaves, brown edges with some holes and what looks like eaten edges.
Any help or advice would be appreciated.

 

Hi kkay, Is the laurel in a very dry, windy or cold position? The brown edges look like a combination of drought at roots with wind or frost damage.
Try giving the plants a really thorough soak, then when the soil is damp, sprinkle some blood, fish and bone fertiliser around them (it's more gentle and slow-release than Gromore etc). If it's possible to give them a mulch of compost or well-rotted manure, anything to conserve moisture in the soil, that will help them recover and thrive through the summer. If they're in a very exposed position it would be worth putting some windbreak or shade netting up until they get established.

 

Hi there, thanks so much for your response. I will certainly do all the things you suggest. I think, even though we have had a fair bit of rain they possibly have not had enough water lately. Our soil is has a fair bit of clay and seems to dry out very quickly. Thanks for all the advice.

 

You're very welcome kkay Getting any new plants established on clay can be tricky, especially if they're growing in peat-based compost. Mulching is one of the best ways of conserving moisture in the soil and improving it all in one package.

 

Glad that @noisette47 was able to come along with some advice for you.... Although I have gardened on different types of problem soil, I have not had problems with cherry laurel. Having said that, I have only ever maintained established plants, rather than establishing from scratch. They do look stressed, and a good water, a slow-release food, and a mulch sounds like a good way forward...

 

Sadly, I'm becoming an unwilling expert on the struggle to grow large-leaved evergreens (or any evergreens) in clay on a hot, windswept slope!