Category: Shrubs

Floral interest

by zoe100675, posted in Flowers, Foliage, Horticulture, Shrubs

An attractive bouquet of flowers are pleasing to receive, having a shrub giving continual flora for a period is a breathtaking sight. Plants provide you with colour all season long, flowers in such profusion. The plants blooms are their saving grace.

Magnolia soulangeana is a shrub that offers tulip shaped flowers fusing a number of colours together (pink, white and purple). It is scented, not hugely though. It flowers in spring, and can sometimes cusp over to summer. The plant is reasonably quick to establish but will keep its shape relatively well without much maintenance. The plant can cope with drought conditions although excessive light can damage flowers and leaves. The base needs a degree of protection, so a layer of bark, mulch or any organic matter will help retain its moisture and provide shade.

Magnolia stellata – the flowers couldn’t be more different but equally as eyecatching as soulangeana. The plant bears white, star-like, highly scented flowers. It is a hardy large shrub/small tree and its flowers appear before leaves like soulangeana. It prefers a sheltered spot due to the damage cold winds can cause. Therefore, a warmer aspect is advisable.

Azaleas are an acid loving shrub that flower in such profusion late spring into early summer. If in warmer climes – in extreme conditions all through summer. A number are scented but it’s the colour that makes them memorable. The plant is related to the Rhododendron.”You could say an Azalea is a Rhododendron but a Rhododendron is not an Azalea”. If you work that? It refers to an unresolved debate.

For Camellia, a dappled, partially shaded area is ideal. The plant is easily burnt by direct sun. C. sasanqua is the group that flower in autumn and usually more susceptible to winter damage. This kind tends not to be as hardy and requires some protection. The japonica’s and x williamsii are spring flowering, although the plant prefers some shade, if the base of the shrub is in shade the plant can tolerate being in direct sunlight.

A mountain shrub, they are resilient but do encounter problems. The browning of leaves, a discolouration and curling can be indicative of a fungal infection/scaley bug (evidence of this on underside of leaf) caused by too much moisture. Good drainage can alleviate these problems and other disorders linked with saturation. No direct sunlight and free draining soil is a must.

Daphne Odora Aureomarginata is a heavily scented specimen which will provide fragrance and attractive foliage through spring (some species or year round). The soil is better on the chalky side, this being alkaline but provides you with a plethora of colour. It needs some shade but a sunny spot is desired to really thrive. The only maintenance really is to retain shape.

Hydgrangeas make marvellous cut flowers. Pink, blue and some are white. The oak leafed (Hydgrangea quercifolia) is more resilient and perhaps more attractive in its foliage, good in drier conditions and more robust than the typical variety. If you leave them later than after they have flowered, you might think of spring to give them a crop. It takes some of the buds away but the plant will thank you. It won’t get woody and regenerate new growth. Cut all non – generative growth out or stems that appear to have no life before and after blooms.

Drought Tolerant

by zoe100675, posted in Flowers, Foliage, Horticulture, Shrubs

In the summer, plants often suffer as a result of rising temperatures. Like us, they need adequate hydration. However, mediterranean plants usually cope well with little water – cistus / hebe and ornamental grasses. Miscanthus, some festcues and bamboo are resistant to these conditions. Those with fleshy leaves – succulents and alpines.

In fact, these plants tend to be deeply rooted so they source their own moisture and can often survive in poor soil as well.

Rosmarinus officianlis (Rosemary) is a herb but effectively used as a shrub. It does like full sun and generally problem free. A light prune after the frost is advisable. The plant will look killed off but underneath there will be hidden growth. If it’s pruned too soon, it will affect its regeneration. It offers aromatic leaves and flowers at varying times based on your climate.

Stonecrop (Sedum) is a very good choice in free draining soil. It does like full sun and is self sufficient and low maintenance. The plant can cope with partial shade but not full. The only maintenance to be done is to remove dead growth in spring. Periodically, dividing the stonecrop will increase numbers and help with the vigour of the plant. It doesn’t cope well in wet soil though and susceptible to root rot. It is gaining in popularity as cover used on roofs encouraging biodiversity.

Lamb ears (Stachys byzantina) offer attractive silver leaves that are velvety to the touch. It does flower, but its textural qualities are more what it’s known for. A ground cover or mixed border plant, it does like full sun. It is, however, particular about moisture. It will not cope with over watering and well drained soil is needed.

Cistus (Rock rose) – this evergreen requires little maintenance save a light prune after flowering. The plant prefers well drained soil and often found in rockeries because of its resilience to poor conditions. Full sun is preferred and will provide with you with flowers all through summer. An interesting fact – the flowers only last one day but colour in such profusion, you don’t notice they’re shortlived.

Hebes are generally hardy evergreens. H. ‘summer blue’. The only maintenance is retain its shape and remove the flowers. The flowering time usually is summer through to autumn. If you have a less hardy variety. H. Tricolour, a variegated one, you need to take out any dead, diseased or damaged wood as spring appraoches. It may flower until December. H. ‘Simon Delaux’ also flowers late into winter.

Ceanothus (Californian lilac) known for its drought tolerance and provides an abundance of colour from spring to summer. C. ‘Marie Bleu’ flowers later. The plant prefers a drier soil. A full sun aspect too. It is an evergreen, the only maintenance is to remove dead, damaged or damaged growth. Other than this, no major pruning is necessary. It’s self reliant and prefers no fuss. The leaves are attractive, the flowers and the fragrance too. Normally the flowers are indigo blue, although certain varieties like ‘Marie Simon’ are pink.

Shallow Roots

by zoe100675, posted in Flowers, Foliage, Fruit, Horticulture, Shrubs

There are benefits to shallow rooted specimens if you have limited space/ the quality of the soil/the root zone depth is not sufficient. Most plants by their growth habit will penetrate their roots far below the surface. Some will have lateral (branching of from main stem) and some fiborous (fine, feathery roots). These are designed to source nutrients, water and find an available space to develop. However, It can be a problem at times, if roots are close to the surface leaving them exposed, vunerable to the elements and potential harm caused by animals or other external disturbance.

The benefit is that stem cuttings can often be used as the method to propagate successfully. The plant can be transplanted without fuss and generally can be moved at the right time without any problems. These plants can be often quick to establish and straightforward in nurturing. This can be a nuisance, when the plant is too happy and can become quite invasive.

All ash have relatively shallow roots but are not keen on being moved so an exception to the rule. (Fraxinus – woodland and Sorbus – mountain). The contorted Willow, as with all willows, is very close to the surface and can be easily damaged by aggressive winds. In fact, the closer the plant roots are to the surface, it will affect what you choose to plant in that area if anything at all!

Mahonia (x media/winter sun) will give you a show of flowers from late winter to spring and as an evergreen provides attractive foliage all year round. The only pruning is to retain the shape so a thinning exercise periodically is needed. It does prefer a shaded location, but as long as the soil is moist.

Hydrangeas – by the very name, these plants need a lot of water which is why it is unfortunate they’re shallow rooted. The plant can be affected by sun scorching and often intolerant to drought conditions. Hydrangeas like sun to partial shade. The colour will depend on the Ph level of the soil. What natural aluminium resides in the soil. The more acidic the soil, the more likely the hydrangea is blue. The more alkaline the more likely the flowers are pink. Hydrangea quercifolia – the oak leafed hydrangea offers white flowers from summer right through to autumn. The attractive foliage from spring. It prefers a slightly more acidic soil.

Azaleas prefer light shade but are a contender for any border. Similar to Rhododendrons they are shallow rooted and can often be containerised to ensure the soil is suitable for them. Rhododendrons do prefer a partially shaded aspect and a little sheltered. They do have a tendency to become leggy within, so an annual prune will retain the plants vigour. This plant is acid loving and must be planted in ericaceous soil to perform well. A spring flowering shrub that provides fragrance and flowers April onwards.

Virburnum offer a number of functions. This plant will attract both beneficial insects and habitat for wildlife in the winter months. Virburnum x bodnantense is a variety that is scented too. so a productive shrub. V. tinus, as an upright bush or effective hedge offering foliage, flowers and berries offering the same benefits.

Some Climbers as Honesuckle and Jasmine do have shallow roots. The plants have a mat forming growth habit under the surface that give the plant stability. This extensive habit is very dense and highly effective. It has no need to penetrate further down.

Trail/Ground/Creeping Plants

by zoe100675, posted in Flowers, Horticulture, Perennial, Shrubs

Aubretia are small and low growing but their colour makes up for it. A spring flowering trailer. It can also be incorporated in a rockery. It prefers drier conditions so drought tolerant. It is attractive to beneficial insects as a bonus too.

Lobelia is usually a summer flowering annual but they are perennial varieties. These will need some maintenance to prevent them from becoming leggy. The upright type L. ‘Starship scarlett’ will need to be cut back and divided to rejuvenate the plant. The bedding trailier will provide you with a cascade of colour until the 1st frost.

Phlox can be mat forming and upright. A hardy perennial that can be divided or propagated from cuttings. P. paniculata is the most common variety with many cultivars ranging from Oranges, Reds, Pinks and Blues. P. subulata is the variety for ground cover/trailing. The plant flowers from different times of the year. Some early summer through to autumn.

Erodium (Storksbill – related to the Geranium) A hardy variety that provides flowers and distinct foliage, very robust and will offer resilient cover. Erodium x variabile ‘Roseum’/ ‘Bishops form’ – a small alpine on its own, it is clump forming but a cluster of them will create a carpet of colour from the beginning of summer to the end.

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis) offers pink white flowers in early spring. This plant does prefer a good nutritious base so a humus rich soil is ideal. The whole structure should have some substance. Take note where it is positioned though, its root system being underground but close to the surface. Its storage organ is a Rhizome – it only slightly protrudes. It will not be visible until it resurfaces so digging up can be so easy.

The Serbian Bellflower is excellent cover for the ground, walls and rockeries. C. poscharskyana ‘Blue waterfall’ will provide a trail of colour from early summer to late. It needs little attention and highly effective in encouraging beneficial insects.

Bamboo Shoots

by zoe100675, posted in Hedges, Horticulture, Shrubs

Bamboo can come in a variety of sizes, habits, makeup and be used for a wide range of purposes. Screening, windbreaks down to dwarf planting interspaced with ornamental grasses. While strictly speaking a Bamboo is a true grass (Poaceae family), we tend to class the ornamental varieties as such and Bamboo as a tree.

Fargesia murielae (Umbrella Bamboo) is one variety that tends to get used for hedging. It is quick to establish itself, bushy habit providing substantial foliage all year round. It can be crossed with another Fargesia (nitida) which fuses the best of both plants. The thick foliage and attractive canes. Usually an X is indicative of a hybrid or when two plants have been crossed. There are large, thickset Fargesia but some can have quite delicate foliage – F. nitida Gansu ‘Shadow Light’ with its purple canes and F. nitida ‘Volcano’ with its red to black. For dense coverage, there is Fargesia robusta too – a reliable variety that is shade tolerant.

Phyllostachys nigra (Black bamboo) will give you dense foliage and ideal for attractive screening but standing alone it can offer architectural benefits to a garden. Startling results can be achieved with its shiny black canes. Phyllostachys humilis, green in appearance, has an upright habit but more compact. It doesn’t grow as tall but often used as hedging/screening.

Fargesia ‘Black Dragon’ is recommended for this reason. It has a tight clump forming habit with interesting black to purple canes which means it’s effective in standing alone.

The smaller varieties like Pleioblastus are more feathery in appearance but no less invasive. They can be a problem as ground cover. This growth is particularly aggressive with neighbouring plants and often underground. Pleioblastus chino ‘Elegantissimo’ is a good choice for a shaded spot but its root system spreads sideways so probably better in a container or where it can spread. These often need protection from the elements and prefer a sheltered aspect. A small, vigorous growing cousin Sasaella masmuneana albostriata can equally be a problem. In the right place, it can spread so quickly. Having said this, the white striped hairy bamboo is clump forming, very attractive, hardy and offers a energy source to beneficial insects so does have some redeeming qualities.

Ornamental grasses like Miscanthus (the Poaceae family) share clear similarities with softer bamboos. Miscanthus offer plumes of white flora through mid summer and foliage interest into winter, while they are easier to look after and less dominating of their space, Pleioblastus viridistriatus can rival this with its variegated foliage. It offers interest all year round adding green striped, golden yellow leaves to its landscape. As long as the space is adequate and side shoots are kept in check, bamboo’s have a lot to offer.