Are my new laurels in big trouble

Hi everyone,

I cut back some laurels a few months ago and planted new laurels in the large gaps. Some of the new laurels I got in aldi (i think) in pots and they seem to be doing ok. However I also got more mature plants from a farmer and they are really struggling - some more than others and in different ways. I pushed by finger down into the soil at the roots and the soil is moist. The original cutback laurels are budding nicely now.

I've included pictures of the two worst effect plants, that are sitting together in the same gap. What might the problem be?

Thanks,
Barry

 

There was nothing as far as I know. The two laurels on either side reached over to touch each other but there was still a large distance between them and the hedge hadnt the required fullness.

 

They look dead and dying to me, sorry to say.

 

Planted them about a month ago and they were green when I planted them. Has been mild since then. The farmer dug them up the evening before I got them and I planted them the very same day. Found an old photo of the house when the original plants were very new and that large gap existed then.