On 11/12/2012 21:37, Kate wrote:
Spider:

On 10/12/2012 22:10, Kate wrote:
Hi

Can anyone suggest a shrub that has a profile a bit like a tree...
grows to 5-6 feet tall, only spreads 2 to 3 feet, and is quite "leggy"
or "trunky" (most interest is found in the top foot or two) ?

Many thanks in advance

Kate xx


Can you tell us if you want deciduous (drops its leaves) or evergreen
growth .. do you want flowers? It's obviously got a specific job to do.
Why does it need to be narrow .. near a gate (with lots of foot
traffic), near an alley (is there a wind tunnel effect). The more you
can tell us, the easier it is to suggest something.

It would also help us to know roughly where you live and what your soil
is like.

Hi

Thanks for all the suggestions so far

I'm in the Midlands, slightly acidic clay soil. It's a corner behind a
raised bed with an access path behind, that's why it can't spread too far
but also needs to be fairly tall to be seen. But not too tall or it will
be out of proportion with the bed.

Don't mind about deciduous or evergreen... flowers are always nice

Kate xx



Hi Kate,

Thanks for the information. One idea might be one of the 'Ballerina' or
'Minarette' type apple trees. The height may be slightly more than you
suggested (6-8ft-ish), but could be controlled. You would get a
definite trunk, limited spread, blossom in spring and fruit in autumn.
It would make a great feature as well as giving you apples. It would
help if there was another local apple to help with pollination.

Someone else suggested Prunus Amanogawa, which is a lovely small
narrowly erect tree and it came to mind straight away. Again, it is
taller than you want, but you could limit the height (and even spread)
provided you do it sensitively. All Prunus plants need to be pruned in
warm, dry weather to prevent a fungal disease called Silver Leaf.

A tall narrow topiary column would look very smart, and could be
maintained at whatever height and width suits you. Yew would be a good
option for a 6ft column. It would still look very good in winter.

--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay