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Section of hedge dying & turning yellow advice

#1 · 6th April 2025, 5:47 pm

Hi,

We moved into our house about 12 months ago and sections of our hedge have started dying with the leaves turning yellow and then falling off.

Does anyone know what might be causing this and how we stop further damage from occurring?
Many thanks

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#2 · 8th April 2025, 12:46 pm

Quote from Lee Garden Ninja on 8th April 2025, 12:46 pm
HI @kellychance
Thanks for your question about what's causing your hedge to drop its leaves and turn yellow. The quick answer in my experience is either chlorosis or sudden drought, especially in very dry springs. Chlorosis is a lack of nitrogen, fixed by a liquid feed or peat-free compost mulch or if it's a drought, as a thorough watering schedule until it recovers. The good news is the hedges look mature enough to recover, so please don't panic. Watering, feeding and then the correct pruning should help your hedge recover.
https://youtu.be/_Dc3B2I7bu4
As always, I'm going to flesh this answer out to help other Garden Ninjas who may have noticed their hedges turning yellow and want to know what to do!
A dying hedge is often a cry for help, and with a bit of detective work, you can figure out what’s wrong and nurse it back to health. Let’s dive into some of the common reasons behind this sad sight and what you can do about it.
1. Overwatering or Poor Drainage
The Issue:
Hedges love moisture, but like most plants, they don’t appreciate sitting in soggy soil. If your hedge is getting too much water—especially if the soil drains poorly—roots can suffocate, leading to yellowing leaves, wilting, or even dieback. Overwatering often causes the roots to rot, which then affects the entire plant. It's the plant equivalent of drowning. You unusually spot this type of damage first with the wilt of the hedge before the yellowing leaves though!
How to Fix It:
Check the drainage around your hedge. If water puddles up around the base, it’s a sign that the soil isn’t draining well. You may need to aerate the soil or add organic matter like compost to improve the structure. If the hedge is in a container, make sure it has proper drainage holes. Cutting back on watering and ensuring the hedge isn’t sitting in water is the best way to avoid root rot.
2. Underwatered hedges
The Issue:
On the flip side, underwatering can also cause your hedge to drop leaves and turn yellow. If the soil is dry and the plant’s roots are struggling to reach moisture, it can’t thrive. This is particularly common in hot, dry weather or if you’re not watering deeply enough. If the roots aren’t getting enough water, the plant will start to show signs of stress—starting with yellowing leaves. Then they turn brown and crisp up due to dehydration.
How to Fix It:
Make sure your hedge is getting a deep watering rather than just a light sprinkle. Water thoroughly, allowing the moisture to reach the root zone. During dry spells, give your hedge a good soaking at the base, and mulching around the base can help keep the soil moisture consistent.
3. Nutrient Deficiency
The Issue:
Yellow leaves can also signal that your hedge is starving. Nutrient deficiencies—particularly a lack of nitrogen, iron, or magnesium—can cause chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves). If your hedge is planted in poor soil or hasn’t been fed in a while, it might be lacking the essential nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
https://youtu.be/iFc7YByFIeo
How to Fix It:
A balanced fertiliser or slow-release plant food will give your hedge the boost it needs. Look for a fertiliser specifically high in nitrogen to encourage healthy green growth. If your hedge is suffering from iron deficiency (which is common in alkaline soils), you can use an iron chelate supplement to address the problem.
4. Pests and Disease
The Issue:
No one likes pests, and hedges are no exception. Aphids, spider mites, and caterpillars can all cause yellowing leaves and stress. But it’s not just the pests that are the problem. Diseases like powdery mildew, root rot, and fungal infections can sneak in, causing the same yellowing and wilting symptoms. These problems often take hold when the hedge is already stressed from other issues like poor watering or nutrient deficiencies.
How to Fix It:
Inspect your hedge for signs of pests. Look for small, discoloured patches, webs, or even insects themselves. If pests are present, you can wash them off with soapy water or use an insecticidal soap. For fungal diseases, ensure good air circulation around your hedge and consider using a fungicide if the problem is severe. If it's a more serious disease like root rot, you may need to prune out infected branches and improve the soil's drainage.
5. Environmental Stress
The Issue:
Sometimes, it’s the environment that's causing the stress. If your hedge is exposed to wind, intense heat, or freezing temperatures, it might drop leaves as a way to conserve resources. Stress from planting in an area with too much sun (for a shade-loving variety) or too much shade (for a sun-loving variety) can also result in yellowing and leaf drop.
How to Fix It:
Ensure your hedge is planted in the right spot. If it's too exposed to the elements, consider providing some shelter with windbreaks, shade cloth, or by planting it in a more suitable location. Mulch around the base to help protect the roots and retain moisture.
6. Root Damage
The Issue:
Root damage, whether from digging around the hedge, foot traffic, or even lawnmower accidents, can cause a serious lack of nutrients and water uptake. If the roots are disturbed or damaged, the plant won’t be able to support its leafy green canopy, leading to yellowing leaves, wilting, or a general decline in health.
How to Fix It:
If you suspect root damage, you may need to carefully lift the hedge (if possible) and check for broken or damaged roots. Trim away any dead or rotting roots, and replant the hedge with care. Providing extra support through proper watering and feeding will also help the plant recover.
7. Improper Pruning
The Issue:
While pruning is a great way to keep your hedge looking neat, overzealous trimming can cause stress, leaving the plant vulnerable to yellowing. If you’ve recently cut back too much of the plant, it could be a reaction to this sudden loss of foliage, especially if it’s been done at the wrong time of year.
How to Fix It:
If you’ve pruned too much, try to avoid additional pruning until the hedge has had time to recover. Always prune your hedge in late winter or early spring to avoid removing too much growth during the growing season.
8. Compaction and Soil Issues
The Issue:
If your hedge is planted in soil that’s too compacted, the roots won’t be able to spread properly or get the nutrients and oxygen they need. This can lead to poor growth, yellowing leaves, and a slow decline. You might notice that the area around the hedge is hard and difficult to dig into, or water tends to pool rather than soaking in.
https://youtu.be/5E2E5HmwxpU
How to Fix It:
Loosen the soil around the hedge by aerating it, and add organic matter such as compost to improve the texture and structure. Aerating the soil will help with root development and allow the plant to access more nutrients and water.
Do let us know how you get on!
Lee Garden Ninja

HI @kellychance

Thanks for your question about what's causing your hedge to drop its leaves and turn yellow. The quick answer in my experience is either chlorosis or sudden drought, especially in very dry springs. Chlorosis is a lack of nitrogen, fixed by a liquid feed or peat-free compost mulch or if it's a drought, as a thorough watering schedule until it recovers. The good news is the hedges look mature enough to recover, so please don't panic. Watering, feeding and then the correct pruning should help your hedge recover.

As always, I'm going to flesh this answer out to help other Garden Ninjas who may have noticed their hedges turning yellow and want to know what to do!

A dying hedge is often a cry for help, and with a bit of detective work, you can figure out what’s wrong and nurse it back to health. Let’s dive into some of the common reasons behind this sad sight and what you can do about it.

1. Overwatering or Poor Drainage

The Issue:
Hedges love moisture, but like most plants, they don’t appreciate sitting in soggy soil. If your hedge is getting too much water—especially if the soil drains poorly—roots can suffocate, leading to yellowing leaves, wilting, or even dieback. Overwatering often causes the roots to rot, which then affects the entire plant. It's the plant equivalent of drowning. You unusually spot this type of damage first with the wilt of the hedge before the yellowing leaves though!

How to Fix It:
Check the drainage around your hedge. If water puddles up around the base, it’s a sign that the soil isn’t draining well. You may need to aerate the soil or add organic matter like compost to improve the structure. If the hedge is in a container, make sure it has proper drainage holes. Cutting back on watering and ensuring the hedge isn’t sitting in water is the best way to avoid root rot.

2. Underwatered hedges

The Issue:
On the flip side, underwatering can also cause your hedge to drop leaves and turn yellow. If the soil is dry and the plant’s roots are struggling to reach moisture, it can’t thrive. This is particularly common in hot, dry weather or if you’re not watering deeply enough. If the roots aren’t getting enough water, the plant will start to show signs of stress—starting with yellowing leaves. Then they turn brown and crisp up due to dehydration.

How to Fix It:
Make sure your hedge is getting a deep watering rather than just a light sprinkle. Water thoroughly, allowing the moisture to reach the root zone. During dry spells, give your hedge a good soaking at the base, and mulching around the base can help keep the soil moisture consistent.

3. Nutrient Deficiency

The Issue:
Yellow leaves can also signal that your hedge is starving. Nutrient deficiencies—particularly a lack of nitrogen, iron, or magnesium—can cause chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves). If your hedge is planted in poor soil or hasn’t been fed in a while, it might be lacking the essential nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

How to Fix It:
A balanced fertiliser or slow-release plant food will give your hedge the boost it needs. Look for a fertiliser specifically high in nitrogen to encourage healthy green growth. If your hedge is suffering from iron deficiency (which is common in alkaline soils), you can use an iron chelate supplement to address the problem.

4. Pests and Disease

The Issue:
No one likes pests, and hedges are no exception. Aphids, spider mites, and caterpillars can all cause yellowing leaves and stress. But it’s not just the pests that are the problem. Diseases like powdery mildew, root rot, and fungal infections can sneak in, causing the same yellowing and wilting symptoms. These problems often take hold when the hedge is already stressed from other issues like poor watering or nutrient deficiencies.

How to Fix It:
Inspect your hedge for signs of pests. Look for small, discoloured patches, webs, or even insects themselves. If pests are present, you can wash them off with soapy water or use an insecticidal soap. For fungal diseases, ensure good air circulation around your hedge and consider using a fungicide if the problem is severe. If it's a more serious disease like root rot, you may need to prune out infected branches and improve the soil's drainage.

5. Environmental Stress

The Issue:
Sometimes, it’s the environment that's causing the stress. If your hedge is exposed to wind, intense heat, or freezing temperatures, it might drop leaves as a way to conserve resources. Stress from planting in an area with too much sun (for a shade-loving variety) or too much shade (for a sun-loving variety) can also result in yellowing and leaf drop.

How to Fix It:
Ensure your hedge is planted in the right spot. If it's too exposed to the elements, consider providing some shelter with windbreaks, shade cloth, or by planting it in a more suitable location. Mulch around the base to help protect the roots and retain moisture.

6. Root Damage

The Issue:
Root damage, whether from digging around the hedge, foot traffic, or even lawnmower accidents, can cause a serious lack of nutrients and water uptake. If the roots are disturbed or damaged, the plant won’t be able to support its leafy green canopy, leading to yellowing leaves, wilting, or a general decline in health.

How to Fix It:
If you suspect root damage, you may need to carefully lift the hedge (if possible) and check for broken or damaged roots. Trim away any dead or rotting roots, and replant the hedge with care. Providing extra support through proper watering and feeding will also help the plant recover.

7. Improper Pruning

The Issue:
While pruning is a great way to keep your hedge looking neat, overzealous trimming can cause stress, leaving the plant vulnerable to yellowing. If you’ve recently cut back too much of the plant, it could be a reaction to this sudden loss of foliage, especially if it’s been done at the wrong time of year.

How to Fix It:
If you’ve pruned too much, try to avoid additional pruning until the hedge has had time to recover. Always prune your hedge in late winter or early spring to avoid removing too much growth during the growing season.

8. Compaction and Soil Issues

The Issue:
If your hedge is planted in soil that’s too compacted, the roots won’t be able to spread properly or get the nutrients and oxygen they need. This can lead to poor growth, yellowing leaves, and a slow decline. You might notice that the area around the hedge is hard and difficult to dig into, or water tends to pool rather than soaking in.

How to Fix It:
Loosen the soil around the hedge by aerating it, and add organic matter such as compost to improve the texture and structure. Aerating the soil will help with root development and allow the plant to access more nutrients and water.

Do let us know how you get on!

Lee Garden Ninja

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