Suggestions please!

[nightshade]

A Fig Brown Turkey it looks sunny there, lovely foliage

[Cazzie]

Originally Posted by nightshade

A Fig Brown Turkey it looks sunny there, lovely foliage

Sorry, don't get you!?!

[Jez]

I know of a 8ft model of shrek which wants a good home!

[kshotton45]

Originally Posted by kshotton45

Move the Pyracantha and Cotoneaster at least another 2 feet apart !

Keith.

Can the gardeners tell Cazzie to move these 2 plants further apart !!

And it's probable that the Pyracantha will grow at a faster rate than the Cotoneaster!!

Keith.

[smartie]

Originally Posted by kshotton45

Can the gardeners tell Cazzie to move these 2 plants further apart !!

And it's probable that the Pyracantha will grow at a faster rate than the Cotoneaster!!

Keith.

Yep, move them apart. They will strangle one another otherwise

[Cazzie]

OK Keith I'll move them apart. It's tiddling down atm so when it stops I'll get out there ok!

Jez - Don't think an 8ft model of Shrek would really be appropriate in my lovely garden, but thanks for the offer!

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by kshotton45

Can the gardeners tell Cazzie to move these 2 plants further apart !!

And it's probable that the Pyracantha will grow at a faster rate than the Cotoneaster!!

Keith.

I'm a fan of 'dense planting' and while it does have draw backs, so long as you are willing to risk going against the more conventional ornamental looks and use your secateurs regularly, it is possible to create pleasing and functional gardens.

In this case I'd say the location of the Pyracantha and Cotoneaster are probably optimal. The Pyracantha is in close competion with the Privet which will be a liiting factor on growth - but anyway unless the Cotoneaster is one of the more upright forms it will probably not reach the top of the fence and I assume covering the fence is desired.

Also both the Pyracantha and Cotoneaster are going to be a back drop to the Buddleia so the whole arrangement will require hard pruning to an assymetrical plan. Basically the Pyracantha and Cotoneaster will need to be trained broadly one to the left and the other to the right, and (depending on Cotoneaster species) eventually the Pyracantha will need to be trained to run latterally above the Cotoneaster, if the fence is to be covered.

The only plant that I would have concerns about is the Privet which will need to be kept well cut back if it is not to dominate the new planting.

CM

[Cazzie]

Originally Posted by Cotham Marble

I'm a fan of 'dense planting' and while it does have draw backs, so long as you are willing to risk going against the more conventional ornamental looks and use your secateurs regularly, it is possible to create pleasing and functional gardens.

In this case I'd say the location of the Pyracantha and Cotoneaster are probably optimal. The Pyracantha is in close competion with the Privet which will be a liiting factor on growth - but anyway unless the Cotoneaster is one of the more upright forms it will probably not reach the top of the fence and I assume covering the fence is desired.

Also both the Pyracantha and Cotoneaster are going to be a back drop to the Buddleia so the whole arrangement will require hard pruning to an assymetrical plan. Basically the Pyracantha and Cotoneaster will need to be trained broadly one to the left and the other to the right, and (depending on Cotoneaster species) eventually the Pyracantha will need to be trained to run latterally above the Cotoneaster, if the fence is to be covered.

The only plant that I would have concerns about is the Privet which will need to be kept well cut back if it is not to dominate the new planting.

CM

Thanks for your input CM!

Yep, you've got the jist of what I was planning. I'm well prepared to tame them both to give the best visual impact and it's not a problem to cut back the privet a bit if need be so the pyracantha gets more light as it grows. The cotoneaster is a simonsii, erect habit, fully hardy and tough max height 9ft in 10 yrs. Have a question though - should I nip the tips of the leading branches so that it will bush more? (hopefully sideways) Could I do this now or wait until the spring do you think?

[jillw]

Oooh, I just spotted this and have a couple of suggestions if it isn't too late? Neither of these are native unfortunately but that doesn't seem to bother the wildlife in my patch. I've put links to the RHS plant finder so you can get more information on them. (Check the pests listed, gives you an idea of the wildlife you will attract.)

Bluebell Creeper - (Sollya heterophylla) climbing evergreen with little blue bell flowers which the bees love. If you give it a willow tower to grow up it will provide great cover for birds as it gets quite dense. Mine has been in flower for most of the year. It is not frost hardy though so might need a bit of fleece thrown over it in very bad weather.

If your spot is quite sheltered then maybe a Chilean Bell Flower (Lapageria rosea) might like it, again evergreen - gorgeous dark green leaves, with a good flowering season. It hates cold winds though, so not one for a very exposed spot. Again, nice thick cover for birds and the insects liked it.

PS, the fig Nightshade mentioned is a good'un so here is a link to more information on that as well Ficus carica

[Cazzie]

Thanks Jill!

I certainly like the look of both of those and the fact that they're both evergreen is a bonus. As my garden is evolving there's always room for more plants hehe! I'll keep a note of them for furture purchase lol!