Plant suggestion

[andy]

Got an area of plant bed that is constantly used as a footpath.  I tried putting Achillea in there but it dies down in winter and gets so trodden on, it takes ages to come back.

I need something fairly bulky, evergreen, people proof and looks good....and can't be spikey !!!  Looking at something 3 foot plus

I was thinking of one of the smaller Pampass grass, maybe one of the Cortederia sellouana.  Also thought about one of the smaller cardoons but not sure if they would be too delicate.

Suggestions ?

Cheers

Andy

[Rosefriend]

Mar 26, 2014 19:57:09 GMT andy said:

Got an area of plant bed that is constantly used as a footpath.  I tried putting Achillea in there but it dies down in winter and gets so trodden on, it takes ages to come back.

I need something fairly bulky, evergreen, people proof and looks good....and can't be spikey !!!  Looking at something 3 foot plus

I was thinking of one of the smaller Pampass grass, maybe one of the Cortederia sellouana.  Also thought about one of the smaller cardoons but not sure if they would be too delicate.

Suggestions ?

Cheers

Andy

I take it that the idea is to stop people using that bit to walk across at all....mmmmh - what when you allowed it but planted something like spreading sedum and creeping thyme - or is there too much foot traffic??

RF

[andy]

Yeah they'd get ruined before they had time to get established RF. The poor Achillea (summer berries) i planted are ruined already...and you know what thugs they can be.

[Geranium]

What about Olearia? They're evergreen and the flowers are pretty. You could underplant them with something to make the area more interesting.  I hesitate to suggest hardy geraniums, but they really would look great together. 

[Tig]

Perhaps three or four varieties of low growing junipers Andy? The are not spikey but can be a little bit prickly if you get right into them.
Or if you dare, a few clumps of bamboo would be difficult to get through, even in winter

[Chuckles]

I wouldn't be able to help myself, it would have to spikey

[andy]

I don't mind spikey as long as it's pretty. Berberis darwinii would look good but i've already got that.  Clump forming bamboo would be good, maybe Fargesia nitida although it would have to be kept short.  I quite like Sassa veitchi but it's a bit of a thug.

Keep em coming.

[Dutchy]

Would Cotoneaster horizontals work? Or Euonymus fortunei ?

[andy]

Mar 30, 2014 10:35:21 GMT Dutchy said:

Would Cotoneaster horizontals work? Or Euonymus fortunei ?

it would Dutchy but i have far too much of the stuff and it seeds everywhere.

[Chuckles]

Would one of the smaller Ceanothus be any good.

‘Autumnal Blue’ AGM Rich sky blue flowers from July to September, occasionally a few in May. Broad shiny dark green leaves, evergreen. Height about 2 metres. Spread 1.5 to 2 metres. Can be pruned after first flush of flowers. E

 ‘Blue Mound’ AGm Dense clusters of bright blue flowers in May and June often some again in the autumn. Small glossy green leaves, evergreen. Height and Spread a dense bushy shrub 1.5 to 2 metres. May be pruned after flowering. E

 ‘Burkwoodii’ AGM Rich blue flowers from July often into late September early October. Mid green leaves, evergreen. Height and Spread 1.5 to 2 metres often more. Can be pruned in the spring if required. E

 ‘Cascade’ AGM Elongated clusters of bright blue flowers in May. Glossy green leaves, evergreen. Height 2 metres or more has a slightly arching habit. Spread 1.5 to 2 metres. Can be pruned after flowering if required. E

 ‘Concha’ AGM Red buds open to deep blue flowers in May and June. Arching branches with narrow dark green leaves. Evergreen. Height and Spread 1.5 to 3 metres. Can be pruned after flowering. E

[andy]

Food for thought there Chuckles. C. thrysiflorus repens would be another good choice.