[valr]

 

I have 4 very large well established hebes which appear to be dead! The leaves are totally brown and the branches are snapping off really easily.

Would it have been because of the bad winter we have had do you think? Anyone else experienced this? It is a shame as they were so lovely when in flower.   Not to mention the fact they were quite expensive when I bought them!

Should I just try to dig them out or is there any point in cutting them right back and hoping they recover? ( Right down at the base the main branches seem to still be greenish at the edges when you cut into them)

I'd be grateful for any advice.

[Sharondp]

Might be worth cutting them back - I had some similar and put them on the compost, noticed a week or so later there were new shoots appearing so re-planted them!

[doganjo]

Yes, I have a huge one just the same.  I did wonder about cutting it back but wasn't sure if I should maybe leave it a bit longer in case we have more frosts?

[Daisys Mum]

I had 2 and they both went like that so I dug them up and dumped them.

[Rosemary]

Give them a chance. If they were well rooted they might come again. Cut them hardback and give them a dose of fetilizer and see what happens.

[doganjo]

My one takes up a corner that is tucked away, so no harm done if I cut it back and leave it to see what happens. To be honest I'm not even sure it IS a hebe.  But it's big and brown anyway.

[valr]

Shame - must have been the weather if the problem is widespread. I'll cut it right back and see what happens. It would be a hard job to dig it up so that is the easier option in any event. Thanks guys

[ballingall]

Ours is the same, we were just talking about it the other day. We've had ours for about 10 years, and managed to make it move house with us, but it is all brown too, and doesn't look very good.


Beth

[doganjo]

Well, it's been bucketing all night here, but if it's reasonably dry and not so bloomin' awful cold tomorrow, I'll take a picture for here, and cut it down, then take another photy.

[valr]

How do you post photos?

??

Get to your bed Anne! Your chooks get up earlier than mine in the morning! 

[doganjo]

It's only just past midnight   Anyway, you're still up!  I've had an exciting day so need to wind down!  Been on the radio!  http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00s5hc3 (about half way along)

To post photos - you need to reduce the size (I save them onto my desktop with a different name so I still have the original photo.), then click on 'additional options' below the message box, then browse for the photo and post.

[Touchwood]

We've lost quite a few big shrubs this year including viburnum which always thought quite hardy and several Rosemary bushes, which is understandable I suppose. Always worth cutting them back and wait to see if they reshoot.

[valr]

Good for you Anne! Very well and forcefully put.

[HappyHippy]

Go Annie ! 

[NLL]

hebes are not a long lived shrub , so at 10 years they are probably passed their best.