Sheltered garden corner... wildlife encouragement help needed!

[Jason Green]

I suppose they're both girls names, The Holly and The Ivy, etc. I'm still doing it too, can't stop myself

Oh, and thanks for the advice!! So they come in different sexes?

[Phoebe]

Talking of Holly I have a female Holly tree that is still full of berries! I had it pruned hard about three years ago and someone stuck a straight cane from the cuttings into the ground and it's taken root, so if you need a girlfriend for him (if it is a him) it could got quite easily and for free!

[Hedera]

Re your holly= I get lots growing from seeds the birds have dropped, and usually dig them up and give them to a friend to plant in his hedge. The roots go down quite a way and you have to be careful not to snap the main one. As it's only 12" high it could be potted up and let grow on till you find the right place. It will take five years or so until you find whether it's a male or female if you want berries. There is a self-fertile holly called J.C. van Tol which has lots of berries; the fieldfares strip m ine every year in minutes! It is also not so prickly as some.

[Jason Green]

How long could it remain potted for? I'll hopefully have the work done soon, but don't want it to get too established before then...

RE: Honeysuckle, is there any particular care/requirements for that? I plan on allowing some to grow up a trellis attached to the 7ft-wide fence... though I hear it gets quite thick so I'll keep it in check if anyone have any tips!

[Hedera]

It could stay in an 8-10 inch pot for a year if necessary, using some of its native soil.
Honeysuckle will gallop so keep it in trim. You can shear it after the berries have been eaten by about now. Blackcaps love them.

[Jason Green]

Really? Thanks and will do