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Can you advise what I need to do to get my hedges healthy again? They got infected with sooty mold a year or two ago but we sprayed them with pest oil and they seemed to improve a lot and grew a lot of fresh new foliage. As we went through this Summer which was very dry,they were looking good but then the hedges seemed to get very sparse and dry out a lot even though they are still growing new leaves. Can you tell me if this is just due to not enough water? And if so, what is the best way to tackle the problem aside from just watering a lot more...
Many thanks for any help
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @celes. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about hedges.
If your pittosporum hedge is drying out, then yes — water is likely the key factor, especially after a dry summer. Although these plants are reasonably hardy, prolonged dry periods can cause stress and result in sparse foliage. The best way to tackle it is to increase watering, but in a way that encourages deep root growth rather than shallow, surface-level moisture. A long, deep soak every four days is generally better than a light sprinkle every day or two. To check whether they need water, stick your finger into the soil every couple of days — if it feels dry a few centimetres down, it’s time to water; if it’s still moist, hold off.
If watering by hand is challenging, installing a simple irrigation system on a timer can help make watering more consistent. A drip system or soaker hose is ideal for hedges, as it gets water down to the roots without wasting much.
As for the sparse and bare patches, it appears that the hedge may have been trimmed back quite aggressively, especially with a hedge trimmer, which can sometimes expose inner branches. If the plant has been under stress — from pests, heat, or dryness — and then pruned back heavily, it may struggle to produce new growth. When the foliage is already compromised, it’s better to let the plant recover before doing any harsh pruning. If you keep cutting the outer layer back before new shoots form, the plant won’t be able to fill in those gaps.
To encourage regrowth, focus on watering, and consider giving the hedge a feed with a balanced slow-release fertiliser. You could also give it a boost with a seaweed liquid tonic to support root health. Once the plants bounce back and produce healthy new shoots, you can resume shaping them, but do so gently and give them a chance to recover between trims.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
