Marianne's Response

Leaf loss on shrubs

I have a Hebe that I bought last year and planted in a pot. Over the winter it lost its leaves, but has some new growth coming up at the base. Should I cut back the bare branches (some appear dead, while others are not quite)?

I also have two CA Laurels (ceonothus) that have been in the garden for two years. They also lost most of their leaves over the winter, although they have some tiny leaves developing on the branches. How should I care for them?

At first I thought the leaf loss on all three plants might be due to deer or rabbits, but the branches weren’t eaten. Any idea why they look so poorly?

Thanks for your advice!
Nancy, in Olympia

Posted by snyderoly on April 23, 2020

Marianne's Response

Yes, you can cut back both your hebe and the ceanothus to the point where you see new green growth. I am confident both plants will come back this summer. The reason they lost foliage is because they are both marginally hardy plants. This means they like a warm winter climate without cold winds so if you experience a cold spell especially in late fall before these plants are hardened up or dormant and ready for winter they will drop their leaves in an effort to survive. You may want to grow them in the most protected spot of your garden out of the wind or move the potted hebe into a greenhouse or close to the house for protection. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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