[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[irene at stein-cox.com]

irene clark
85308
irene at stein-cox.com

I live in northwest Glendale. I have two 10 foot long hedges of photinia, which are located on the north and northwest area of our house. For the previous four years, the hedges have looked beautiful and deep green in color. Within the last year, I lost three of 12 bushes – one at the end of a row, and two in the center of a row. The leaves start off by drying out along the edges, then eventually turn all brown. Eventually, the whole bush is dry and dead! I feed the (live) bushes with Miracle Grow, and give them iron granules (I think it’s called “Iron Yield” per a recommendation by one of the larger nurseries in town), and deep water. Still, I can tell I am going to lose more! Two bushes are turning very pale green/yellow, with progressive leaf burning. I can send photos if that will help. I cannot get a straight answer from the many gardeners, nursery staff, and even "The Garden Guy" as to what is going on and how to PREVENT and CURE it. I do not want to lose the hedges, as well as any replacements that I will plant (I've already lost two replacments to the same cause).