A Neglected sculpted Cupressocyparis Leylandii Gold "PomPom"

So my daughter has moved into her new apartment and always liked the look of the Cupressocyparis Leylandii Gold "PomPom" and spotted one in Dunnes stores [Ireland] reduced from €100 to €50 and finally €25 though she had sent me pictures and it looked very very neglected however she wanted it and for €25 she decided to take a chance!!

So I drove out to collect and boy was it bad, the staff/ management clearly didn't see the need to water and tend the plants (large Olive trees in pots etc)

The plant she wanted was/ is shedding really really badly.

Anyways we took it home and soaked the pot in a tub of water for a number of hours and now my daughter is watering regularly and giving the plant some feed.

Based on the photos what do ye think?

Is it too far gone ? Will the plant recover in anyway?

I am hoping it might though I expect improvements to be slow

What are your thoughts?

Will also include photos of other plants that were/ are neglected in the store

 

Yes, that looks to me as if it has a good chance of recovery. Tell her to keep up the care regime and also replant it in a larger pot asap, it's outgrown that one.

Those other photos make me . It's the same at the supermarkets up the road from me - the plants look lovely when they first come in, but anything that isn't sold straightaway soon starts looking very sorry for itself, for want of proper care.

 

As @Clare G says, a larger pot is needed. There is enough green foliage there to indicate potential recovery. Gently tease the roots out a bit and use a soil based compost like John Innes no 3 when repotting. Also make sure the new pot has a good drainage hole and elevate the pot on pot feet or similar to ensure good drainage.

 

I believe the "pom pom" effect is achieved by cloud pruning, not the natural growth habit, so it might need some maintenance to keep the shape because Leylandii won't regrow if cut back to brown wood. And it wants by nature to become a monster tree although keeping it in a pot should restrain its world-domination tendencies.