On 07/12/2013 17:02, Stewart Robert Hinsley wrote:
On 07/12/2013 16:32, Bob Hobden wrote:
"HerbyPeter" wrote ...

I live in Arkengarthdale at 1200+ feet. (google it )
It's windy. It's cold. I love it but plants don't.

I planted several Sea Buckthorn three years ago.
Three only still survive.

The only plant to live more than a year is Honeysuckle.
Except a hardy fuscia which lasted four years.

Ah! I tell a lie! Rosa 'Fru Dagmar Hastrup' (I think, I'm no flower
expert) has survived for as long as the honeysuckle.
I never can decide whether to dead head or leave the BIG hips for the
winter birds, (those that can survive).

I have made up some raised beds to try and combat the killing
conditions.
Yet to be proven since something decimated my brassicas before they had
a chance to grow.
Even the sage pants were eaten.
Leeks still survive but don't look as if they will make a meal. Ever.

I'm guessing even Gardener's World wouldn't rise to this challenge,


Sounds like you need a wind break around your garden, have you room to
plant one?

Take a look at this which gives you ideas for what to use as windbreaks
and what to plant to cope with the wind.
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/...e.aspx?pid=472
Yes I know you are not on the coast but you do have the strong winds
they do.

He'll have the problem that he needs a windbreak that can cope with the
cold as well as with high winds (but it doesn't need to be
salt-tolerant). I was wondering if juniper was suitable.

It is but it is very slow growing. His best bet is to look around to see
what others have planted as a shelter belt and do the same. In these
exposed places the trees tend to grow sideways in the direction of the
prevailing winds, but you can grow some lovely alpines in the gaps
between the limestone blocks. Assuming that is what he has.

The two strategies would be choose plants that like these conditions and
grow a shelter belt or build a wall to protect those that don't.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown