"SusieThompson" wrote in message ...
Is there any way in which rhododendron ponticum could kill a length of
beech hedge? The rhodo shrub is regularly trimmed and has been kept
under control probably since it was first planted. It looks as if there
is no way that it could ever have overgrown the hedge. The hedge is
about six feet high and thick. Both the beech hedge and the rhodo must
be pretty old - the house itself is Victorian. We've been asked by the
owner to buy in some potted beech hedging to fill in a seven foot gap.

This gap is directly opposite the rhodo, but about three to four feet
away from the rhodo itself. John, the owner has said something about
putting lime in with the roots of the beech when planting, to help to
"counteract" the rhodo, which he says killed the beech hedge at this
point. Could the rhodo roots have done any damage to the hedge? Can
anybody help with this - it's not our garden, and I'm a bit puzzled by
his comments. Thanks.
--
Might be worth looking for signs of Honey fungus (Armillaria spp) but even if you do find it don't panic - it's almost
everywhere there are woody plants - yer average British wood is full of it, but it's still a wood ;~))) Armillaria tends
to attack plants that are in trouble for some other reason. In this case possibly competion for water and food if not
for light though I do wonder if the Rhodo has been much bigger at sometime and has a bigger root system than its present
size would suggest - it is a real thug and it's done serious damage to other plants here by competition and shading. I'm
not too optimistic about filling a gap in a very old hedge. Lots of good preparation and well rotted organic material,
change some soil if you can and good aftercare on the watering side will increase your chances. Lime (if needed) would
be better added as ground limestone or chalk rather than hydrated lime)
A footnote about Armillaria - it is often most damaging in well cultivated gardens, out in the wild or in a woodland
garden like mine it seems to have difficulty spreading through hard ground full of tree roots.

Rod

Rod