On 2009-07-20 14:48:28 +0100, "mike. buckley" said:

In message , Sacha
writes
On 2009-07-20 11:47:42 +0100, "mike. buckley" said:

In message , Sacha
writes
On 2009-07-20 10:03:05 +0100, K said:

beccabunga writes
Picture 1 = possibly a laurel
No - because a laurel wouldn't have the light coloured undrside to the leaves.
Could be a Griselinia littoralis?

Picture 2 = Smoke tree
Yes. Cotinus coggyria.

Picture 3 = Phormium
Picture 4 = Tree lupin
I don't think the last is a Tree lupin - the leaves aren't right. It's
just possible it's a Cytisus battandieri with little flower on it. If
the OP lives in a warmish place within striking distance of the sea
the Griselinia tolerates salt air and the Cytisus (if that's what they
are) will survive in a garden that gets only mild frost for short
periods.
Have to have a good throwing arm - Nottingham :-)

I don't know anything much about the climate in Nottingham being a
wimpy southerner! Do you have a very sheltered garden? I'm thinking
of the Cytisus which is pretty touch and go in real cold. I've even
lost one in Jersey and here in Devon.

It's in a sheltered spot, protected by the Smokebush to one side and a
fence to the other, with neighbours trees on the other side of that. It
gets a fair bit of sun despite the protection. Best guess is it's about
10-15 years old as judging by the apple trees etc the majority of the
plants were put in when the house was built about 15 years ago.

Wonderful - don't change a thing! ;-)
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics.
South Devon