The Garden

[Asset]

I thought it mght be useful now spring has sprung to have an area where we could ask advice and swap tips about gardening.

We have just dug up the front with the idea of putting in a hedge to screen the bins etc.

Anyone have any tips or hints with regard to planting hedges?

Front garden is pretty sunny and dry so drought resistant hedging needed.

Mr Asset wants a regimented, nail-clipped hedge (OCD) where I want something a bit softer, possibly mixed shrubs.

[SteveT]

A small row of sequoias should do it, in the fullness of time Asset.

Perhaps Micklemass daisies, Golden rod, Lavendar would smell nice for this position.

[Nero]

What about shady areas? What could I put where the sun don't shine? Am I limited to ferns and ivies? Would prefer native perennials. Nero

[macroban]

Linea Novacula would make a good boundary.

[SteveT]

Get up early 7am Sunday morning and take a trip to Columbia rd market off Hackney rd, and see what there is. The stall holders have a wealth of knowledge and everything is half shop price.

[Brendan]

My garden is depressing me at the moment. Last summer I hurt my back and consequently the garden hasn?t received any attention since then.

I have a similar problem to you Nero. I have a long bed that runs against a fence which doesn?t get any sun at all. Whenever I plant anything in it, it grows towards the sun and out over my garden path. I need something that will thrive in the shade, fill the bed (not leaving any space for the weeds as spending ages weeding kills my back) and provide an edge to the path.

Any suggestions folks?

[Asset]

Hostas

Lily of the Valley

Climbing Hydrangea

miniature bamboo

[Asset]

Also Castor Oil plant but they can get quite big

[Brendan]

Thanks Asset. (tu)

[SteveT]

Brendan wrote: My garden is depressing me at the moment.

Increase the width of the path leaving no bed.

Turf the bed.

Plant small low growing bedding plants, pansies are always fun.

Black polythene covered with bark chippings.

[Brendan]

Cheers SteveT. I have considered getting rid of the bed somehow as you suggest but I like the idea of a green border. It works well with the garden. I just need something that will actually grow and cover the bed and not involve me being out there every Saturday maintaining it.

[SteveT]

That means black polythene, bark chippings, and puncture holes to place your plants.

Then there is no weeding.

Tray of a dozen pansies at columbia rd ?5.

Sorted.;-)

[Brendan]

Oh I see. Good idea. Thanks Steve.

[SteveT]

I go to columbia rd early on Sundays if you or Asset want a lift.

[Moos]

Also, hostas are lovely but very slug-prone. I think they're worth it, but just so you know.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

If anyone wants native trees/shrubs, they sell them at the Wildlife Garden Centre. If you live in Southwark you can have one free and others cost about ?1 each.

From memory, they sell hazel, beech, ash, hawthorn, etc. These are not quick options but after a few years you could have a lovely hedge.

[TillieTrotter]

Where's that then PGC?

[Asset]

I've got something from there a couple of years ago. A hawthorn and a Rowan (?1 each!). The Rowan is doing really well, sadly the hawthorn died.

Thanks for reminding me, it could indeed be a good place to get some hedge plants.

It's on Marsden Rd TT

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

I have planted loads of fruit bushes round the edges of my back and front gardens including: rasberies, goosberry, blueberry, redcurrant, blackcurrant and tay berry, strawberry grape, plum tree (dwarfing), kob nut bushes, a dwarfing apple tree and something called a family tree with apricot, nectarine and peach all grafted onto one tree, plus rhubarb and asparagus.

You can get a lot of fruit bushes and trees really cheap (and the ones I've bought seem to be ok) from Lidl and poundstretcher if you are quick. I ordered a lot of mine online last year tho from deacons nursery and keepers nursery.

[SteveT]

You are a wealth of knowledge PGC I have never heard of this place. Good for you.

Popped round to have a look opening hours sunday tues wed thurs 10;30 4;0

[Ko]

Brendan Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> My garden is depressing me at the moment. Last

> summer I hurt my back and consequently the garden

> hasn?t received any attention since then.

>

> I have a similar problem to you Nero. I have a

> long bed that runs against a fence which doesn?t

> get any sun at all. Whenever I plant anything in

> it, it grows towards the sun and out over my

> garden path. I need something that will thrive in

> the shade, fill the bed (not leaving any space for

> the weeds as spending ages weeding kills my back)

> and provide an edge to the path.

>

> Any suggestions folks?

Hi Brendan

If you're having trouble getting something started in a shady area, grow it in a sunny area first and then move it. By that time the plant will be bigger and taller and have enough leaves to get sufficient light for photosynthesis. Plants often don't need direct sun as such, just enough 'light'. Plants always bend towards the sun so just stake the middle to keep it upright.

You need a good groundcover planting to suppress the weeds and save your back. Look at things like vinca minor / vinca major (periwinkle), cotoneaster etc - should be okay in shade. Main thing if its a shady area is to get plants which are fully hardy - otherwise the damp in cold whether will kill off the plant. Most spring bulbs are ok in shade. Foxglove (digitalis) love shade and give a good show in early summer. Dwarf camellia will do well in shade (make sure its not east-facing as direct morning sun will damage flower buds).

Just a few ideas. Hope that helps.

[Ko]

Asset Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I thought it mght be useful now spring has sprung

> to have an area where we could ask advice and swap

> tips about gardening.

>

> We have just dug up the front with the idea of

> putting in a hedge to screen the bins etc.

> Anyone have any tips or hints with regard to

> planting hedges?

> Front garden is pretty sunny and dry so drought

> resistant hedging needed.

> Mr Asset wants a regimented, nail-clipped hedge

> (OCD) where I want something a bit softer,

> possibly mixed shrubs.

Privet (ligustrum) looks very smart but needs regular trimming in summer. Golden ligustrum only needs trimming twice a year as is a slower grower and has a variegated look.

For a softer look, try laurel (evergreen glossy green leaves) or red robin (evergreen and lots of lovely red leaves in spring and early autumn),

[Asset]

thanks for the info Ko, yes, those laurels are very popular round here, not so keen myself and have got some privet already.

we are going to try some holly and hawthorn. off to Marsden rd tomorrow morn.

[mlteenie]

Apparently hawthorn is the 2nd most environmentally beneficial plant after english oak, due to the amount of creatures, etc it supports.

[SteveT]

Birds love hawthorn and holly, because of the close cover and protection from sparrowhawks.