Category: Shrubs

Evergreens

by zoe100675, posted in Flowers, Horticulture, Shrubs

Specimen shrubs are the backdrop to a successful scheme. General practice is to put larger specimens at the back/middle/sides and ensure adequate space is given in their new location. Smaller shrubs interspaced at the front and size gradually getting smaller.

It’s good to have some specimen evergreens interspaced – when the colour of flowers/berries have gone there is still something to look at when it’s bleak.

Photinia x frasei (Red Robin) has become a popular hedging plant in recent years. A shrub in its entirety really. Flowers in spring to early summer. Foliage all year round. Can be suited to a sun or partial setting. A hardy plant.

Ceanothus repens (Californian Lilac) deep blue flowers that are popular with bees and other beneficial insects. Flowers spring to early summer. Prefers a sunny position but will tolerate some shade. This needs to be in a sheltered position and not too exposed.

Choiya ternata (Mexican Orange blossom) two varieties of leaf – gold and lime. This shrub has the most fragrant flowers. Can tolerate a sun or shaded spot but not exposed, so ideally a bed by a wall. Normally will flower in late spring but if clipped can encourage a further flush.

Cistus (Rock Rose/Sun Rose) This evergreen shows a mass of flowers in summer. Usually the flowers are pink or white with flexs of red and yellow. A flower will last only a day but the blooms come so “quick and fast” you wouldn’t notice! It’s origins are Mediterranean so it does want full sun but is drought tolerant and quite resilient in these conditions. In a colder, wet environment it is not as tough.

Daphne tangutica is an evergreen variety with pink flowers. The shrub is highly scented and will flower through spring with berries in autumn. A good choice for sun or partial shade. Daphne do not tolerate exposure so by a wall is ideal.

Skimmia japonica is an evergreen which flowers in early spring. Quite effective as a staple shrub. Does not require a great degree of care and can cope with neglect. Partial shade is ideal. The leaves will suffer in full sun. The female skimmia will produce berries if a male is by the side.

Elaeagnus ebbingei has become a popular choice for hedging although for its merits it should stand alone. An evergreen, good in sun and shade, moist and dry. Pruning to just maintain desired shape so low maintenance. Mid – autumn onwards it produces fragrant flowers and its leaves have an opaque appearance. A very hardy choice as a hedge or shrub.

Sufficient Drainage

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

Other than plants intended for the pond, marginalised or oxygenating – species like to dip into moisture but not to sit in it. Lily of the valley, Daylilllies and Hibiscus can all tolerate more than enough moisture.

It is worth understanding then why the area is wet or over saturated. An ill drained area can be altered to improve water runaway so that the area is moist but drains. If the soil is compact this might be the reason for the accumulation of water. It might an option to install land drains or conversely change the consistency of the soil to allow water to penetrate.

Cornus do well in moist areas and provide effective winter colour. Dogwood produces attractive foliage with white flowers so has a purpose all year around. Very easy to keep and most aspects are adapted to. Easy to prune, a couple of inches from base and it comes back up in Spring.

Spring flowering Kalmia do well in these conditions with a good degree of light. As long as the sun is shining on the species, the plant can sit in moisture. It can tolerate partial shade as long as the soil has some drainage and on the acidic side which is why it goes well with Camellia’s and Rhodendrons. Little pruning is necessary but have a tendency to become leggy. A clip to keep its shape but is slow to grow out of control.

Some Salix alpine varieties will cope with some saturation as will Betula pendula, the silver birch, although some drainage is still needed. Hydrangeas are probably one of a few plants that devour H20. However, Hydrangeas cannot sit in it either as to do so would kill them rather quickly. They prefer cool, moist and shaded spots. A smaller water lover is a certain grass, Carex. This is usually in planting combinations with other ornamental grasses so often doesn’t lend itself to a pond location.

There are smaller species like Hostas (a rich and acidic soil for these plants) and Ferns (generally anywhere) that sit well in moist areas but again a crown rot issue can arise if proper care not taken of them. A grass that goes well with Hostas is Hakonechloa macra, it doesn’t mind moist soil but it must be well drained. Monarda – well drained, Rudbeckia – well drained. The problem of moist not wet still resides. Liriope too is resilient of tough conditions and can cope with full shade but not over saturated soil. It still needs to be well drained.

Nothing would be better than probably addressing the problem unless you want to create an actual bog or marsh area for Bull rushes, Gunnera, Irises and alike and even here there needs to be a degree of drainage. Not too much seems to survive in a pool of water.

Shrubs in Shade

by zoe100675, posted in Horticulture, Shrubs, Soil

Some plants never do well in shade but it is surprising how many will perform in these conditions. Often this can be a determining factor for poor growth, little flora and general sickness.

Camellia’s can tolerate partial shade but the winter flowering variety sasanqua must have a full sun location to perform well. Found as a woodland plant often the more shaded the better. The varieties of x williamsii and japonica are hardy and can take hard pruning after flowering. Neutral to acidic soil are ideal conditions.

Skimmia’s too are evergreen and provide elements of interest through the seasons, produce berries for birds in winter and give a profusion of fragrant white flowers in the springtime. They do well in partial shade to full shade and prefer an acidic soil. The leaves can burn in full sun. No real maintenance to speak of, just unwanted growth. Woodland origins.

Azaleas do not respond to being in full sun so similarly suited to partial shade. A heathland plant which prefers a good drained spot with an acidic reading. No real pruning necessary but to control size. The varieties are highly scented and come in a wealth of colours. Light pruning after flowering.

Sambucus nigra has equally attractive foliage and can lift the dullest of corners. It also offers scented cream flowers in the summer months. It does like some sunlight but will happy enough in partial shade. In autumn, it provides deeply rich berries to wildlife as a necessary food source. Origins of a wasteland plant but some interesting cultivars. S. ‘golden tower’ and S. ‘black lace’.

Daphne’s prefer a neutral to more alkaline soil but still prefer a cooler spot. Daphne perform well in sheltered gardens in well drained conditions. They do not tolerate drought so moisture retentive soil packed with nutrients is necessary. The shrub is highly scented and hosts attractive pink flowers. Good solid hardy shrub.

Prehistoric Plants

by zoe100675, posted in Horticulture, Shrubs, Trees

A plants survival will often depend on its ability to adapt as evolution changes the conditions it grows in, the climate it is exposed to. The flowering varieties we take for granted today are probably the most recent to evolve and largely pre dominate our landscapes. Shrubs/trees like Magnolia (m. x soulangeana) are older than we think. The species and non flowering vegetation that bear leaves, needles and cones – these evergreens can produce attractive colour interest, often blue. (Firs) Abies koreana, abies pinsapo ‘Glauca’, (conifers) Cupressus, Chamaeyparis, Cedrus (cupressus leylandii, chamaeyparis lawsonia, cedrus deodora), Pinus sylvestris (scots pine) all have a tenuous link to prehistoric times and are still here.  Lichens, Mosses and Algae seem to point to where it all began as you would expect with our transition from water to land.

Ferns – Dicksonia anartica – the tree fern can reach up to 6 m in the right conditions. Other smaller varieties include deer fern, Blechuum spicant an attractive variety that good for shade in enriched soil.  Polypody vulgare –  common polypody is another that is suited to shade. It is tolerant of dry, gritty areas which make it ideal for cracks in walls.

A plant which is more of a nuisance than anything else but pre dates us is Horsetail.  (Equisetum) It can reproduce itself by a fraction of its growth. Each segment is in effect a new plant. It is highly invasive, roots deeply and spreads quickly. It makes it difficult to treat since the waxy exterior is non – penetrable and needs to be cracked for anything to be absorbed.

Palms too are known to have evolved early. Chamaerops humilis – the mediterranean palm offers dwarf varieties and larger specimens. A hardy specimen that will love full sun where soil is free draining. Although discovered a lot later in the 19th century,  Tracycarpus fortunei will have distant roots to the earliest of palms. A hardy variety but to shelter from winds and particularly colder climes. The reason perhaps some plants survived mass extinctions was the protection and efforts to keep them in cultivation. Gingko’s or Maidenhair tree exist still – you have the Chinese monks to thank for that.

Special Features

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

Plants can possess a number of traits that makes them popular and widely incorporated in planting. Below are a selection that used often for a particular asset.

Flowers

Kalmia augustiflora – It bears summer flowers in full sun. An acid loving evergreen. It does prefer some moisture so will not tolerate drought conditions. It can get leggy, similar to Rhododendrons and seems to develop in this way. Cutting it back harshly will regenerate its vigour.
Azaleas too can grow beautifully in acidic soil and do prefer a partial shade since they can get burnt. It is important to trim back to existing buds when spent or before the end of July/August, this will create other buds. Azaleas are related to Rhododendrons so they too have a tendency to get leggy from inside. Camellia’s survive in this environment and are appreciated for their double and single blooms. They can be species offering flowers at spring and autumn. The main needs would be space, no competition for moisture and nutrients. Camellia’s like some shelter but also a degree of sun, sometimes can sit in over watered areas if need be. I think once in situ and established though do not tolerate being moved. Some Virburnum will display a yield of berries in autumn. While,  v. japonica will give you the summer white flowers, the deciduous varieiy will give a show autumn to spring like ‘bodnantense’ dawn later on.

Scented

Philadelphus (Mock Orange) has citrus scented white flowers. A spring to summer flowering shrub.  It is versatile and adapts to all aspects, soils, and ph levels but cannot abide sitting in waterlogged soil. Prune after flowering quite low to a bulging bud and it will regenerate twice fold. Daphne odora ‘aurea-marginata’ – a fragrant evergreen producing attractive leaves and pink flowers. It has a compact habit and keeps itself relatively neat with only removal of unwanted growth.  Prune after flowering taking crossing branches providing space for new shoots. Any damaged or diseased too. This cultivar is hardier than some specimens. Syringa (Lilac) – a highly scented shrub/tree. Lilacs like full sun but not all the time. A little shade is welcome and in well drained soil. Choosing the dwarf variety guarantees you get a shrub and a neat, compact habit.  Syringa pubescens ‘Miss Kim’ pale pink to white will give you a compact shrub as will another smaller variety, syringa meyeri ‘palibin’ suited to containers, patios, terraces or borders. These are dwarf but they will thicken out and are chosen for their neat habit.

Foliage

Elaegnus pungens or ebbingei ‘Limelight’ a brightly variegated shrub, it has a non-variegated counterpart. Good in all aspects like full sun, partial, soil type and moisture tolerant. Gives white scented flowers in autumn. Hosts an interesting opaque leaf variegated or green. Euonymous fortuneii is a really versatile border shrub that can sit on its own or in a plant combination. Euonymous has striking variegated specimens – ‘Emerald n Gold, ‘Emerald Gaiety’, ‘Dan’s Delight’ are all cultivars with added interest. A trim to maintain a bushy habit is the only maintenance necessary or if the plant is reverting to its original form and you wish to keep the variegation. Laurus nobilis ‘bay’ – attractive highly aromatic leaves. Often misunderstood as a large shrub, is infact a tree and has the potential to grow to 12m (40ft) if given the chance. It prefers to be in the sun in well drained soil. It is semi hardy but in colder climes good to provide additional shelter from the wind and frost. Photinia x fraseri ‘Red robin’ a free standing shrub or unconventional hedge, pruning will make it more dense. Pieris ‘forest flame’ bell shaped flowers in spring. An evergreen. The colour of the leaves will change from red and mature to green. No pruning necessary – just cut out straggly bits. Prunus lusitanica – Portuguese laurel has attractive foliage in the autumn but bears flowers in spring.

Habitat/Beneficial birds/Insects

Empetrum nigrum (Crowberry) An effective ground cover. They are for human consumption but not generally known as an edible berry. Good in shaded spots and with other acid loving plants. A hardy evergreen providing berries. Pyracantha has a show of white flowers in summer and usually successful in well drained soil free standing, against a wall or trellis. It is great for bees in the summer and birds/wildlife in the winter. It needs little maintenance but for its thorns, when it does it can be a pain. Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn) is a winter hedging plant but provides us with white flowers in spring, foliage as a food source for butterflies and moths, berries for hibernating mammals and birds. Crataegus (Hawthorn) offers food and shelter for birds and wildlife, insects are drawn in the flowering period mid spring. Unfortunately hawthorn is widely used as a hedge and often clipped before the heavily scented flowers bloom to their maximum.