By Liz63
United Kingdom 
I have an old holly hedge that is looking somewhat bare. It stands in an established garden and is partly shaded by yew trees. It is trimmed once a year in spring. As far as I am aware it has never been fed or had any attention. Has anyone got any ideas as to how to rejuvenate the foliage?
14 Mar, 2011
Answers
It looks better in Summer but it has been progressively getting more bare as the years roll by. Any thoughts welcomed. Thanks for your interest.
19 Mar, 2011
If its in the shade of a yew tree, it may be that, over the years, as both the holly hedge and the yew have matured, they're now competing for nutrients if they're too close together. You could try reducing the hedge by half, then feeding with Growmore or Vitax Q4, coupled with a thick mulch of well composted material over the top - this should encourage new, livelier growth, provided there's not a real issue with competition from the Yew.
19 Mar, 2011
Previous question
« when do i start weed and feed on my lawn-it is now mid march
I wonder if its looking a little bare because it suffered during the winter - did it look just as bare during summer/autumn last year?
17 Mar, 2011