Cherry laurel in clay soil

[Sarahgeorgette]

I planted 15 cherry laurel as a fence 2 years ago in clay soil, (1.5planted every50cm)two have died. 

unfortunately dealing with the clay water-logging. Although not obvious for the top roots, once dug further down it’s pretty obvious. 
 

It is June now and we have lots of yellowing of leaves across the hedges which is new as it used to be one spot. 
 

ideas so far

 

dig around each plant and put a mixture of stones, mulch and compost.

 

dig up each one and raise it. 
put stones and compost under each one. 
however keeping the soil around it intact. 

 

also when to dig, now or later in the year when it’s wet. 

Any helpful suggestions and advice please tions  and advice welcome

[Dan Maynard]

I wouldn't dig them up now - even if you water the soil thoroughly, the fine roots are damaged by the digging so they won't have capacity to drink it during the hottest months.

 

You can mulch generously around the base of the hedge though, I'd do this with woodchip, bark, compost, whatever you can get easily. 

[nepia]

We have had an exceptional many months of rain that has been the end of many plants so there may not be such a 'problem' with the laurels other than the weather.

If you want to persist with what you have I agree with the suggestion of mulching.

Otherwise perhaps replace them with something else - Lawsons Cypress maybe.

[tree-fancier123]

majority of them look fine - new laurel can also wilt and die off in a drought. I would leave all of it and hook out any dead ones, mix in a bit of gravel for drainage and replace with the same - even clay can dry out in a really hot summer - if it does get really dry (maybe test by digging down somewhere near) consider watering during July / August