If wood chip mulch containing a large proportion of Leylandii is spread on
a bank containing some (ailing) standard roses but a wealth of spring
flowers (snowdrops, crocus, daffs, bluebells) will it do any harm to the
spring flowers? Would such mulch kill them off or would they poke they
gaily painted heads up in future springs?
The bank concerned is a hard edged river bank about 100ft long and 6ft
wide. One end of this is overshadowed to a length of about 30ft by a yew
tree where only the hardiest of weeds will grow. The remaining part
includes little of value except the spring flowers, the roses havent been
tended in years and probably should be discarded.
Access to the bank is difficult and any material has to be taken through
the house.
I'm making my own woodchip using a lot of leylandii (about 50 to go) but
also sycamore, ash, elder, cedar and general thinnings from around my
fathers old place.
Thanks
Ray.

"Ray" wrote in message
...
If wood chip mulch containing a large proportion of Leylandii is spread on
a bank containing some (ailing) standard roses but a wealth of spring
flowers (snowdrops, crocus, daffs, bluebells) will it do any harm to the
spring flowers? Would such mulch kill them off or would they poke they
gaily painted heads up in future springs?
The bank concerned is a hard edged river bank about 100ft long and 6ft
wide. One end of this is overshadowed to a length of about 30ft by a yew
tree where only the hardiest of weeds will grow. The remaining part
includes little of value except the spring flowers, the roses havent been
tended in years and probably should be discarded.
Access to the bank is difficult and any material has to be taken through
the house.
I'm making my own woodchip using a lot of leylandii (about 50 to go) but
also sycamore, ash, elder, cedar and general thinnings from around my
fathers old place.
Thanks
Ray.
~~~~~~~~
I did similar a few years ago. All flowered as usual the next spring
but I couldn't resist some doubt and used a nitrogenous fertiliser once
flowering was over.
All has been quite OK since, though the mulch has gradually disappeared.
I thought snowdrops looked better without the mulch and in grass. Cyclamen
were improved.
Best Wishes Brian.