What could fill areas of dead conifer?
Q My garden is surrounded by conifer hedges. Sadly, there are a number of areas where the base of the hedge has died. What could be planted at the hedge base to fill in the gaps that have appeared?
Stuart Turnock (via email)
A Dieback could be due to honey fungus, aphids or pestalotiopsis disease. Check for honey fungus by exposing a large root and removing a sliver of bark. If white mould is visible, blame this disease. Regrettably, there is no cure.
If sap-feeding aphids are responsible they should be visible with a hand lens. If you discover them, halt their spread by spraying with Bug Clear Ultra, repeating treatment at three-weekly intervals.
If aphids aren’t present, pestalotiopsis fungus may be the cause of die-back, which you may be able to control with Provanto Fungus Fighter Plus.
Meanwhile, I suggest that you consider the following shrubs that should thrive at the base of the hedge to hide dying growth:
Abelia x grandifloraBuxus sempervirensColutea arborescens Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’Elaeagnus x ebbingeiEscallonia rubra ‘Crimson Spire’Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ’n’ Gold’Forsythia x intermedia ‘Lynwood Variety’
Encourage your new plants to thrive by incorporating moisture-conserving composted manure into the soil.
