What Shrub?

[scots_lass]

I have at last finished tidying up the back garden (many hours, days and 19 black bags later....). It is mostly perennials and shrubs, bit of grass here and there. I don't appear to have lost many things this winter - probably because all the half hardy stuff was killed off the winter before. BUT I do appear to have lost a very nice pittosporum - not sure of the variety but it had green and white variegated leaves and black bark. It was about 5 foot high by about 3 foot wide so is going to leave a bit of a large gap in the border.

So what to replace it with? That is my question. It was next to a rhododendron, kerria at the back and a deciduous viburnum on the other side so would prefer an evergreen shrub. Good soil, sunny spot but not baking hot.

Ideas anyone?

 

[Twenty Inch]

My first thought was raspberry canes, but of course blueberries would work too. You could put an echinacea in and make your own immune-boosting tea, or a sage bush for disinfectant throat gargles.

 

[ASC1951]

IIRC, blueberries are very particular about their soil and will crop very poorly in most gardens: you need light rich soil with low pH. If you want an evergreen shrub with edible fruit, how about a red berried berberis? Or the closely related mahonia? They are the Ford Mondeo of garden shrubs, but you could get an unusual variety.

I would try a goji berry. Don't believe all the hype for the latest 'wonder berry' - http://www.fruitexpert.co.uk/GrowingGojiBerries.html - but lots of people report that they do very well once established. I got three from Suttons a couple of months ago and they assured me that they would be fine with some wind shelter - they were for my brother in Edinburgh i.e not far from you. http://www.suttons.co.uk/Shop/Fruit+Trees+and+Bushes/Goji+Berry+251515.htm

If you want something that isn't exactly a shrub, how about a medlar? http://www.suttons.co.uk/Shop/Fruit+Trees+and+Bushes/Medlar+Westeveldt+283754.htm Again, this should be hardy where you are and it produces large magnolia-like flowers with very unusual fruit. I have had one here for years and it's an excellent plant.

I agree with Twenty Inch about the sage bush. Everyone should have one, along with rosemary, lemon verbena, lemon balm, thyme ....

 

[Davidc]

The horticultural equivalent of "Which bike should I buy?".

As you've asked about evergreen shrubs I'm not sure that soft fruit is appropriate. You know your climate and soil, so why not go and ask for advice at a good nursery (and that doesn't mean the assistant at a big garden centre!). The variety available is huge and a specialist will have a good idea what will thrive and also look the way you want.

 

[ASC1951]

No, they're fine in normal soil and they're not too fussy about pH in my experience - mine is neutral. I get a lot of fruit from them.

I was going on this sort of advice http://www.bbc.co.uk...eberries1.shtml
My own soil is neutral at best, so I'm trying my blueberries in containers and haven't had any worthwhile fruit yet. There again, I'm not skilled enough to grow things like carrots.

 

[scots_lass]

I don't want any fruity things - I want an evergreen shrub if possible that will grow to about 4-5 feet. Flowers would be a bonus or decorative berries.

 

[rich p]

Daphne Odorata or Viburnum Odorata maybe.

My Daphne has just flowered and the smell is amazing.

Mahonia is pretty resilient and has lovely yellow scented flowers.

Berberis in it's many varieties. Ours is the black leafed, orange flowers and berries one - good all round interest but has prickles.

Aucuba with varigated evergreen leaves

Philadelphus is an ordinary shrub with magnificent white scented flowers.

 

[accountantpete]

Pieris Japonica would be my suggestion - it gives you two shows with bright red new growth and then with flowers.

 

[Headgardener]

I would also suggest eithe a Viburnum or a Peiris. The Viburnum by my gate would be ideal, white flowers in the spring and blueish berries in the autumn and evergreen with smallish leaves.

 

[pepecat]

Bearing in mind your plant was next to a rhodedendron, is your soil acidic? If so, you need another plant that can cope with the pH of the soil. I'd go for Peiris too - I have one and i love it. The leaf colours are amazing.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

I was going on this sort of advice http://www.bbc.co.uk...eberries1.shtml
My own soil is neutral at best, so I'm trying my blueberries in containers and haven't had any worthwhile fruit yet. There again, I'm not skilled enough to grow things like carrots.

If your soil is neutral to alkaline, water with some dilute vinegar is what I've been told. I had one in a pot and it didn't do at all well. I now have one in my heavy clay soil (possibly alkaline) and it's OK but is still getting established.

Evergreen shrub - how about a Holly? You may need a male and a female if you want berries (or at very least a male holly somewhere nearby).

 

[scots_lass]

I think a Pieris might do the trick if the pittosporum has turned up its toes. At least a pieris will cope with snow and ice.

 

[Apeman]

Hey Scots Lass I lost three pittisporums and a crinodendron and a very large agave to the severe weather but strangely my blackcurrant bushes have survived.Viburnums would be the best replacement as they are as tough as old boots or even escallonia as they are tough. Cleaned up the garden yesterday and found that quite a few things survived but all plants overwintering in the greenhouse died a cold lonely death. Looks like more money to be spent on suitable replacements. I will never get to spend money on my bike for a long time to come(sob--sob).