Taxus Baccata English Yew Topiary

Hi, I’ve had these in a pot on my front door step for 3 years now and have noticed that one has started to go a bit brown, any ideas what it could be.? Thank you.

 

One possibility is that it has dried out.
Problem is that plants like yew won't show the effects of drought for many weeks, sometimes months after the problem has occurred.

Another possibility - is it in a very windy spot where it may have caught dry, cold winter winds that have burned bits of the foliage.

I'm sure some other suggestions will come along.

Whatever it is - I hope you can get it sorted

 

Funny thing is I had 2 lots of gold crest conifers in exactly the same spot and that same left hand pot the 2 conifer’s went brown.??

 

It could be a difference in wind exposure or rain shadow, leading to dehydration or scorching. If the compost in the container with the affected plant feels dry, give it a good watering and ensure it is moist in future and doesn’t dry out.

 

Then it's probably as I described in my 2nd paragraph above.
That pot is in the wrong place. Try moving it elsewhere.

 

Thanks for your help everyone I’ll keep it watered and hopefully it will get back to looking it’s best and then either move it or put some sort of screen up to protect it.

 

The needles that have browned won't go green again so it's a case of waiting for new growth. I can see the new growth starting on the other one but not on the browned one, which is another indication that the conditions are better on the other side of the doorway. Would it be too much hassle to swap them every couple of weeks so they get an equal share of the better location?

 

Am loving your yellow Corydalis Lutea, @Simon Peake.

The browning Yew may not recover. It is astonishing how growing conditions just a few metres apart can vary. My sister has the same issue with conifers either side of her doorway. One thrives, one dies.

 

I avoid putting the same plant on either side of a door. One of them always grows slower, is lopsided, goes brown or dies. Symmetry can be problematic . I’d move the brown plant to a sheltered location while it recovers and put something else in its place.

 

Thanks again everyone it’s my mums bungalow and she’s 89 bless her and she doesn’t get about as well as she use to so I’m her head gardener now she said maybe put both pots round the back where it’s sheltered from the wind but gets plenty of sunlight and then put something else in place of them but not sure what, did mention to her maybe a pair of acer’s.?

 

I've never found Yew to be too particular about where it grows, I think that one probably dried out at some point as already mentioned.

Now Acers are quite particular about there growing conditions.