August 17, 2026
Q:
I thought it worth asking you before I do anything drastic……
The Yew did hang on to a few green leaves from last year growing from the trunk, but they gone brown in the last few weeks, and all the rest is now very dead looking🙁 There has been no new growth at all since it was moved in December.
I have been as careful as I can with watering, giving a soak every week or so – it is in a raised bed.
I wondered if I can cut each ‘topiary disc’ off – close to the trunk, so I don’t lose the positions and hope that triggers new growth?
It would look a bit odd, but might trigger it into new growth from the trunk.
Or should I still leave alone until 2027?
Of course it couldn’t have been a worse year with temps at 36deg again today and no rain for over 2 months……
Sister in law says to spray it gold and put lights on!
Thanks for any advice you can give.
A:
We have come up with two options that may work. Either leave it alone and just water deeply every day at the moment. Or, cut it right back to the new growth, and again water. You then have the opportunity to grow a peacock! Bad luck with the weather, but it can’ t be totally dead with new growth happening.
Advice is for HPS Members Only
You need to be a member of the HPS to view this content
Supporting the HPS by becoming a member enables us to promote plants and gardening, and brings you into a friendly and knowledgeable society to meet and learn from others.
