Problems with Hebes
Martin F Finlan
Most hebes and I simply don't seem to get on. I have grown several
small-leaved (ie pretty hardy) hebes over recent years and most of
them seem determined to shed the majority of their leaves. The
latest 'victim' is a Hebe brachysiphon 'White Gem', planted in a
fairly sunny, sheltered spot (in improved clay soil - lots of grit)
but since spring having the same symptoms which I have seen several
times before, ie all the leaves on each branch going brown and
dropping off, apart from those on the outermost 2" or so. A Hebe
andersonii 'Variegata' went the same way - I have tried to
stimulate some new growth on the inner part of its branches by
waiting until a tiny bud breaks 'inboard' of the remaining leaves
on selected branches and cutting back to those. This has improved
the appearance a little but most of the centre of the bush is still
devoid of leaves, so it looks fairly sad. I have been loath to cut
the branches back hard because they looked as though they might be
like lavender and cytisus and object to being cut back into old
wood. Does anyone know whether, in fact, it is safe to do so? If
anyone can say what the likely cause of the leaf loss is I would be
very grateful. I'm beginning to wonder whether *full* sun is more
important than shelter, regardless of what my books say ('hebes are
easy to grow in sun or light shade...' !!) since my next door
neighbour and my work site have ones out in the open which are
perfect little green domes! I even lost a Hebe 'Margret'
overwintering it in an insulating box inside the (cold)
greenhouse. The only hebes which I *have* succeeded with are Hebe
cupressoides and Hebe pinguifolia 'Pagei', which are rather
different. I've optimistically planted a Hebe albicans 'Red Edge'
(which it now mostly lacks!) this year but I'm awaiting the
inevitable....... Any help, spells etc will be much appreciated!
Thanks
Corinne
Dave Poole
>Most hebes and I simply don't seem to get on. I have grown several
>small-leaved (ie pretty hardy) hebes over recent years and most of
>them seem determined to shed the majority of their leaves.
[snip}
>I've optimistically planted a Hebe albicans 'Red Edge'
>(which it now mostly lacks!) this year but I'm awaiting the
>inevitable....... Any help, spells etc will be much appreciated!
>Corinne
Hi Corinne,
I've pondered over this one for a while because I had the same
problems a while back, but they were caused by a different set of
circumstances. However, no-one else has had a go at this so here
goes:
In my case the problems were caused by prolonged, mild, damp
conditions (typical of S. Devon winters) which resulted in fungal
infections charcterised by yellowing and subsequent falling of the
leaves. In some cases, the stems became affected and often, black
patches would appear followed by the collapse of growth above and
final death of the stem. This was cured by several applications of
Benlate - I suspect that most good fungicides would do.. I found that
the larger leaved speciosa hybrids were the most prone and nearly
lost a long hedge of the at my old house. One or two of the 'greys'
ie. H. recurva and albicans also suffered. 3 thorough drenchings
(surrounding soil as well) at 14 day intervals prevented recurrence of
leaf-drop and the resultant new growth was noticeably more vigorous.
Within a year, the plants had recovered and there were no further
problems. I stress that conditions here, where frosts are extremely
rare ( in most winters there are barely one or two very light ground
frosts at worst), are markedly different to those in your part of the
world, but it may be worth a try.
Best wishes and Good luck.
David Poole
ils...@mail.zynet.co.uk