Gardeners, bush advice?

[swee'pea99]

No berries but Gunnera Manicata is like a giant rhubarb and looks amazing.


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Came across some of those when I was down in Cornwall earlier this year...

Wondered what they were...

 

[PaulSB]

No berries but Gunnera Manicata is like a giant rhubarb and looks amazing.


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It’s a great plant but you need a soil which is always moist and has plenty of organic matter. It will also need to be relatively sheltered from cold winds.

 

[Milzy]

Booooooooooooooooooooooom! I've ordered this. Ceanothus.

 

[PaulSB]

The Calicarpa is a good shout, the berry colour is cool and unusual plus it’s a fast growing plant if you need to fill the space quickly.

My suggestion would be Phormium; tough, architectural, interesting leaf shape, year round colour, easy to grow. The three varieties you are most likely to find are P. tenacity “Sundowner”, “Maori Queen” and “Variegatum” though there are plenty of other colour forms. The purpureum types are very robust.

If you keep your eyes open you can sometimes buy very large plants at reasonable prices - something of the size pictured

 

[Milzy]

We should have our own horticulture thread.

 

[Milzy]

I had a much smaller one of those, it died

Shaun should set up a gardening forum ...................

Ohhh no. They’re supposed to be hardy as well.

 

[Dave 123]

Booooooooooooooooooooooom! I've ordered this. Ceanothus.

Make sure it isn't exposed to cold winds.
If you're planting it in the next few weeks and the winter turns cold, give it some protection like horticultural fleece as they can be a bit feeble in cold winters.

 

[biggs682]

No no no no , I have an image

 

[Milzy]

Make sure it isn't exposed to cold winds.
If you're planting it in the next few weeks and the winter turns cold, give it some protection like horticultural fleece as they can be a bit feeble in cold winters.

It is fairly shielded by tall fencing. I think winter is going to be harsh though.

 

[summerdays]

Ohhh no. They’re supposed to be hardy as well.

They are hardy but short lived some of them. But they are a lovely colour and I usually have a couple in the garden.

 

[rich p]

Amelanchia are good year round value

 

[Dave 123]

@Milzy

How moist are you?

There are some great dogwoods that will light up your life in winter

Cornus midwinter fire

Cornus alba

Cornus flaviramea

Or, one of my favourites....
Salix britzensis

 

[rich p]

I don't wish to be controversial but buddleia and hebes are two of my least favourite shrubs.
Buddleia is virtually a weed and hebes are boring, civic planting.
Others may will disagree!

 

[Milzy]

Off topic but I bought one of those trees that the Ozzy bears like to live in. It looks amazing. Is it irresponsible to have them in the ground though?

 

[Milzy]

@Milzy

How moist are you?

There are some great dogwoods that will light up your life in winter

Cornus midwinter fire
View attachment 383697
Cornus alba
View attachment 383698
Cornus flaviramea
View attachment 383700

Or, one of my favourites....
Salix britzensis
View attachment 383701

I'm sold.