Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Problem Border
I have inherited a garden with a long, deep border, sloping towards the lawn which features a variety of cypress trees up to 20 ft tall (I estimate) - I haven't established the exact varieties. I reckon they were probably planted 12 years or so ago. I do not border a neighbour on that side but an small, unsightly unworked quarry that needs to be screened . The border is NW of the rest of my garden so light is not a problem. The garden is very exposed to winds.
I have 2 questions: 1. I've lost a couple of hefty trunks (most of the trees have more than one) in high winds in the last couple of years - have I just been unfortunate? Or should the trees be 'topped' to avoid this, which may spoil their shape? 2. I have mixed success in establishing other plants in the border. Some skimmias has been successful and a lavatera and there are euonymus and philadelphus and some periwinkle(though much of the periwinkle failed to regenerate after serious weeding) which was present already. We garden on sandy soil and that border is often dry. I want to know if it is worth spending the time and money on soil improvement/irrigation to grow a wider variety of plants in front of the cypresses or must I just stick to drought tolerant plants? (Originally posted as reply to Lleylandii hedge thread...but I think people had lost interest on that one!...) Thanks David |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
"prologica" wrote in message news I have inherited a garden with a long, deep border, sloping towards the lawn which features a variety of cypress trees up to 20 ft tall (I estimate) - I haven't established the exact varieties. I reckon they were probably planted 12 years or so ago. I do not border a neighbour on that side but an small, unsightly unworked quarry that needs to be screened . The border is NW of the rest of my garden so light is not a problem. The garden is very exposed to winds. I have 2 questions: 1. I've lost a couple of hefty trunks (most of the trees have more than one) in high winds in the last couple of years - have I just been unfortunate? Or should the trees be 'topped' to avoid this, which may spoil their shape? 2. I have mixed success in establishing other plants in the border. Some skimmias has been successful and a lavatera and there are euonymus and philadelphus and some periwinkle(though much of the periwinkle failed to regenerate after serious weeding) which was present already. We garden on sandy soil and that border is often dry. I want to know if it is worth spending the time and money on soil improvement/irrigation to grow a wider variety of plants in front of the cypresses or must I just stick to drought tolerant plants? (Originally posted as reply to Lleylandii hedge thread...but I think people had lost interest on that one!...) Thanks David -- prologica IMHE ............sandy soils and the last few years have been a nightmare despite tons of compost In a border backed by conifers the problem can be even worse Choisya, philadelphus,weigela, hebes , mahonia japonica ,all seem to survive OK as do some other shrubs Delphiniums ,penstemons, and peonies all seem to like the conditions too but many other plants curl up their toes |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 10:28:24 +0000, prologica
wrote: I have inherited a garden with a long, deep border, sloping towards the lawn which features a variety of cypress trees up to 20 ft tall (I estimate) - I haven't established the exact varieties. I reckon they were probably planted 12 years or so ago. I do not border a neighbour on that side but an small, unsightly unworked quarry that needs to be screened . The border is NW of the rest of my garden so light is not a problem. The garden is very exposed to winds. I have 2 questions: 1. I've lost a couple of hefty trunks (most of the trees have more than one) in high winds in the last couple of years - have I just been unfortunate? Or should the trees be 'topped' to avoid this, which may spoil their shape? 2. I have mixed success in establishing other plants in the border. Some skimmias has been successful and a lavatera and there are euonymus and philadelphus and some periwinkle(though much of the periwinkle failed to regenerate after serious weeding) which was present already. We garden on sandy soil and that border is often dry. I want to know if it is worth spending the time and money on soil improvement/irrigation to grow a wider variety of plants in front of the cypresses or must I just stick to drought tolerant plants? Keep you sheltering trees, topping will mess up the shape so just keep them tidy as best you can. Forget irrrigation or attempts at soil improvement - in that situation it's a hiding to nothing. Go with the flow, plant drought tolerant subjects. You have plenty to choose from including many rather choice things, hot dry borders can be very rewarding.. Read Beth Chatto's 'Dry Garden' for inspiration. ================================================= Rod Weed my email address to reply. http://website.lineone.net/~rodcraddock/index.html |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
prologica wrote in message news Rod Wrote: On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 10:28:24 +0000, prologica wrote: - I have inherited a garden with a long, deep border, sloping towards the lawn which features a variety of cypress trees up to 20 ft tall (I estimate) - I haven't established the exact varieties. I reckon they were probably planted 12 years or so ago. I do not border a neighbour on that side but an small, unsightly unworked quarry that needs to be screened . The border is NW of the rest of my garden so light is not a problem. The garden is very exposed to winds. I have 2 questions: 1. I've lost a couple of hefty trunks (most of the trees have more than one) in high winds in the last couple of years - have I just been unfortunate? Or should the trees be 'topped' to avoid this, which may spoil their shape? 2. I have mixed success in establishing other plants in the border. Some skimmias has been successful and a lavatera and there are euonymus and philadelphus and some periwinkle(though much of the periwinkle failed to regenerate after serious weeding) which was present already. We garden on sandy soil and that border is often dry. I want to know if it is worth spending the time and money on soil improvement/irrigation to grow a wider variety of plants in front of the cypresses or must I just stick to drought tolerant plants? - Keep you sheltering trees, topping will mess up the shape so just keep them tidy as best you can. Forget irrrigation or attempts at soil improvement - in that situation it's a hiding to nothing. Go with the flow, plant drought tolerant subjects. You have plenty to choose from including many rather choice things, hot dry borders can be very rewarding.. Read Beth Chatto's 'Dry Garden' for inspiration. ================================================= Rod Weed my email address to reply. http://tinyurl.com/26lxm Thanks guys for your helpful responses. It's good to hear that a small fortune on soil improvement is not required, though i guess some homemade leafmould would not go amiss ..and Beth's book has just been added to my christmas list! David -- prologica Also try and engineer a visit to RHS Garden Hyde Hall - a fairly new and very droughty garden - bound to give you some good ideas. Spider |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
West facing border | United Kingdom | |||
ideas for privacy/border shrub? | Gardening | |||
A 'quick' border - ideas? | United Kingdom | |||
Attractive Hedge Border | United Kingdom | |||
Flower Border Design | United Kingdom |