Question
We have an informal hedge of 30 English laurels about 10 years old.  Several are now dying; leaves yellow and fall off, no new spring growth.  This happened a limb at a time, not outer to inner, old to new, top to bottom etc.  The soil is typical heavy clay-type and very wet in the rainy winters.  I'm guessing that's the problem. We have re-planted some of these twice.  Why would they grow well for several years and then die, rather than just dying the first year or so?  Also, if we add some topsoil to raise the level of the ground some can we get laurels to grow successfully in that location, or should we plant something else; like maybe holly?  We want something to provide a year round privacy screen. Thank you.

Answer
Margi,

I think that the poor drainage and the overabundance of rain has caused the plants to decline. As to why they would grow well for several years and then die off, it has to do with the ammount of starches that the plants can store in their roots and trunk. Once these starches are gone, and if they are not able to prioduce enough for continued growth, then the plant will die.

Adding topsoil to the area would allow you to create a environment where the plants would grow for a little while longer, however, you may have the problem resurface since the clay will not allow the water to drain away rapidly.

I would reocmmend replacing them with plants that will do well in wet locations. I would recommend: Viburnum, Clethra, Kalmia, Cornus stolonifera or Andromeda polifolia.

Good luck,
Ed Gulliksen