Portuguese Laurel and other questions

Hippodrome Song Owl

I have a few questions about plants in my garden - sorry if I've missed a general thread where you can ask for small tips or advice without starting new threads.

I had Portuguese Laurel planted in a raised bed along my back garden wall (North of house) in mid-August last summer - pictures below. The plants were around 60cm high and they have not grown at all. I had been advised to trim the tops in Spring so as to encourage them to grow outwards, but it was implied they would be getting taller before this would need doing. I'd appreciate any advice on what to do to fix this issue. Should I feed them now (what with)?

I also have a couple of ferns in a raised bed. They've thrived for a few years through summer and winter, but after a few hours of light snowfall in early January, they lay flat and haven't looked right since. What should I do here - do I cut back these fronds orjust leave them now?

I have a small olive tree planted in the middle of my front lawn (South side of house) - there are stones around the base of it. It seems in OK condition but it never grows at all, up or any thicker. Is this normal and as expected for a tree like this? Or what can I do to help it thrive?

Thanks for any pointers.

looksee

The laurel are fine, you would not expect much growth in under 12 months, they are getting established. Just leave them for now. They do have new growth, its hard to notice when they are very young.

The ferns will put out new growth, you could trim the most straggly if you wish but I would not cut them right back.

Both look healthy and fine.

Can't help with the olive tree.

rje66

As above, all look fine.

Trim the fern back to the new shoots. You will see them in the middle as little bumps,these will unfurl soon.

Baybay

The laurel is doing well enough as it’s still quite young. If anything, it’s probably a bit close to the wall. Our neighbours have a hedge of it planted for about eight years now. It’s about 2.5m tall & the trunks would be a bit more than as thick as my wrist.

The olive tree grows slowly enough anyway but it does like sunshine & warmth so might prefer a sunny wall behind it.

standardg60

The Laurel couldn't be any healthier OP, leave it be. As above trim off the worst of the fern fronds. The Olive could do with having any straggling shoots cut back to the last leaf and a trim on the others to shape it into a ball.

The phrase patience is a virtue is very apt when it comes to gardening.

Hippodrome Song Owl

Thank you all for the reassurance and advice. I really enjoy my garden but I know nothing at all. I'm happy to be patient once I know they're on the right track. I was just afraid I would leave it too late to fix some issue . Glad to hear they all look OK.

Cillit Bang

Portugese Laurels grow to be big trees? I had several at my last house that I planted myself. you need to plant well back from a boundary fence. (neighbours) at least 6 feet. and same distance from each other. They make a good hedge when fully grown. They are best left alone without clipping unless you need a low hedge. They are lovely trees but need room to grow. That was my experience.

magicbastarder

you don't need six feet between portuguese laurels; they're regularly grown as a hedge spaced much closer than that.

10-10-20

The P. Laurel look fine alright. Here's what ~8 years of growth look like...

That's a 60cm gap between each, a 2m height and a spread of around 1m.

I trimmed them last July all by cutting all branches to create a cone or tubular form, and this year they have all flourished, and the height that I wanted has almost been achieved.

I got guidance here at the time.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119516276/#Comment_119516276

10-10-20

The same laurels in 2021.

Hippodrome Song Owl

@10-10-20 Thanks, that's great to see the progress over a few years. I'd be delighted if mine eventually thrive like yours have. I'll definitely save that other thread for tips on managing them.

@rje66 You were right about the ferns - the new fronds have unfurled now from the centre and are standing upright, so they look so much better again.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123418622#Comment_123418622

oh, and a good feed of chickenchit early in the growing season, or even now.

https://caraghnurseries.ie/product/chicken-chit-manure-10kg-bag-fully-organic/

Hippodrome Song Owl

Just checking back in here for some further advice.

The olive tree broke its support band in the storm last week. Should I replace it? It's 2.5 years planted. The trunk is still very skinny.

Also, am I OK to apply chicken chit to the Portuguese Laurel now? It grew well last season. I pruned it last week and am worried now I went too far, but was afraid of it getting sparse if left. Also conflicting advice about pruning it as to when is ideal versus nesting season, so maybe it was too early to prune even if already into nesting season? Before and after:

All in all, my garden is in a pretty sorry state after that winter, so I'm feeling a bit disheartened. Nothing seems to be thriving except moss and three-cornered leeks.

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124372983#Comment_124372983

Yes replace the tie and absolutely fine to feed now. I very much doubt you were disturbing any birds so don't worry about the timing, perfect time to trim as it will burst into new growth now.

Hippodrome Song Owl

Thanks @standardg60 , got the feed down today along with some other jobs on the flower beds. Will replace the tree support as soon as I get a replacement.

Also, thanks to @10-10-20 for the link provided above to Caragh Nurseries. As a non-driver, I have struggled in the past to source stuff like compost and mulch (most places won't deliver), but thanks to your link here I got sorted with a delivery this week. Great service from them I have to say, will definitely use again.