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Post by andy on Nov 26, 2007 12:08:33 GMT
About a month ago, i walked round my garden at work with my manager pinpointing any areas where i could do with some new plants. As i had a complete bank which i cleared last winter, i asked him about planting it and he said "write down what you think you'll need and we'll have a look" Not needing to be told twice, i made my list up and presented it to the guvnor and then informed him that for any of the plants to stand a chance and not be vandalised, they'd need to be bought in in at least 10 litre pots (2 litre is the norm for us) Well i've just been to the nursery and he's ordered the lot !!!!!....from memory, i have 6 garrya eliptica 6 fatsia japonica 6 Salix alba chermasina 6 cornus alba elegentissima 6 ceonothus 'concha' 6 rhus typhina 6 sambucus plumosus aureus 6 sambucus 'black knight' 6 phormium purpurea 6 Ligularia (can't remember sp) 1 large malus tzchenoskii 1 large pyrus salicifolius pendula 1 large koelrutea paniculata There's probably more but i can't remember them. As soon as they're in....in the next few weeks, i'll get some pics of the planting etc. The above has a good balance of foliage shape, size, colours and textures as awll as autumn colour and winter bark colour. I don't do planting plans as such either....everything is worked out in my mind and i just put them in situ on the day of planting and "see how it looks" Watch this space !!! PS....cost over a grand for the above  |
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Post by Shrubrose on Nov 26, 2007 12:38:57 GMT
About a month ago, i walked round my garden at work with my manager pinpointing any areas where i could do with some new plants. As i had a complete bank which i cleared last winter, i asked him about planting it and he said "write down what you think you'll need and we'll have a look" Not needing to be told twice, i made my list up and presented it to the guvnor and then informed him that for any of the plants to stand a chance and not be vandalised, they'd need to be bought in in at least 10 litre pots (2 litre is the norm for us) Well i've just been to the nursery and he's ordered the lot !!!!!....from memory, i have 6 garrya eliptica 6 fatsia japonica 6 Salix alba chermasina 6 cornus alba elegentissima 6 ceonothus 'concha' 6 rhus typhina 6 sambucus plumosus aureus 6 sambucus 'black knight' 6 phormium purpurea 6 Ligularia (can't remember sp) 1 large malus tzchenoskii 1 large pyrus salicifolius pendula 1 large koelrutea paniculata There's probably more but i can't remember them. As soon as they're in....in the next few weeks, i'll get some pics of the planting etc. The above has a good balance of foliage shape, size, colours and textures as awll as autumn colour and winter bark colour. I don't do planting plans as such either....everything is worked out in my mind and i just put them in situ on the day of planting and "see how it looks" Watch this space !!! PS....cost over a grand for the above Golly. Bet that felt good Andy! It'd take me till next Christmas to work out what most of them are, where I should put them etc, etc.  |
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Post by snowowl on Nov 26, 2007 13:46:17 GMT
Cant wait for the photos Andy.I love the foilage on that black sambucus.
I have been tempted a few times to buy some but dont know were to put it as it grows quite tall.
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Post by Barbara on Nov 26, 2007 16:04:40 GMT
oh lucky you, i would be in my element planting that lot  . |
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Post by andy on Nov 26, 2007 16:24:37 GMT
Cant wait for the photos Andy.I love the foilage on that black sambucus. I have been tempted a few times to buy some but dont know were to put it as it grows quite tall. You can hack them back quite severly....i've cut back sambucus to below ground before and they've come back bigger and better. I went for both the purple and the golden se4rrated foliage so they'd be a nice contrast. I also have a single variegated one at work too....hardwood cutting time methinks ;D |
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Post by Chuckles on Nov 26, 2007 16:29:34 GMT
Very nice Andy, my back is aching thinking about planting them though. Can't wait for the photo's too. Oooooh those lovely empty pots, can't you chuck um my way ;D
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Post by nightowl on Nov 26, 2007 18:32:39 GMT
Andy, is where you work private or is it a public park or gardens? Would like to take a drive and have a look if you tell me when's the best time for it.  Specially when you've got all your new goodies in |
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Post by andy on Nov 26, 2007 18:45:07 GMT
It's a public park nightowl....right on the A23 into Brighton....probably only 45 mins from you.
May is a nice time....most of the rock roses and other alpines are out and the pond and gunnera look superb.
Just let me know if you want to come and visit and i'll make sure i'm there to take you round....there's also a victorian walled garden just over the road too and the big park opposite me (preston park) is superb with some of the most stunning old Elms you'll ever see.
The same goes for anyone else....if you want a trip down and a guided tour, let me know.
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Post by Jardack on Nov 26, 2007 19:42:38 GMT
They sound gorgeous! I might have to come and see you too as am only about 25 mins drive....
I have one of them (Fatsia Japonica) and I love it!
Jardack
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Post by andy on Nov 27, 2007 5:23:59 GMT
They sound gorgeous! I might have to come and see you too as am only about 25 mins drive.... I have one of them (Fatsia Japonica) and I love it! Jardack Well if there's anyone else who wants to come and have a guided tour, maybe we could pick a day in may....have a mini "GWD meet and guided tour"....i'll take you round my garden at work, the park opposite, the walled garden and then on to our nursery which is steeped in history and sells lots of nice plants. |
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Post by andy on Dec 7, 2007 17:53:20 GMT
Well, the plants are in and boy was i pleasantly surprised. The salix and Rhus are around 10 feet tall, the malus, Koelrutea and pyrus are big trees and all the other stuff is like fully grown plants !!!
I start picking them up next monday and then planting will commence.....pics will follow !!!
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Post by Shrubrose on Dec 7, 2007 18:43:53 GMT
Looking forward to seeing them Andy. Bit cheeky, I know but could you put the name of the plant over each pic as I am not familiar with some of them and will need to know!!! |
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Post by andy on Dec 7, 2007 18:45:46 GMT
Of course shrubrose....but the problem is, most of the plants are deciduous and will look like sticks but i'll try my best.
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Post by Biggles on Dec 7, 2007 19:27:50 GMT
Looking forward to the photographs, Andy.
Only wished I lived nearer so I could visit but maybe if we are 'down that way' for holidays!!
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Post by nightowl on Dec 7, 2007 21:35:59 GMT
Well, the plants are in and boy was i pleasantly surprised. The salix and Rhus are around 10 feet tall, the malus, Koelrutea and pyrus are big trees and all the other stuff is like fully grown plants !!! I start picking them up next monday and then planting will commence.....pics will follow !!! Hope they are giving you a mini-digger for the holes Andy! |
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Post by Shrubrose on Dec 8, 2007 8:58:25 GMT
Of course shrubrose....but the problem is, most of the plants are deciduous and will look like sticks but i'll try my best. Oo of course! Silly me! Now you'll have to do a 'repeat' when they're in full leaf!!! ;D |
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Post by andy on Dec 12, 2007 11:43:15 GMT
Picked up the plants on monday and started planting. Unfortunately, it doesn't really look much at the moment as some of the plants look bare. But here's a pic of some of the plants i've put in so far....the ones with the canes are the willows (salix alba 'tristis'), the fatsia are next to them (evergreen) and in between the two is the sambucus 'aurea'  Here are some other pics of the area i have to plant     Unfortunately, planting has had to stop for the foreseeable future. The garden faces north east and when it gets cold, it stays cold and whilst the park opposite is enjoying some lovely sun, i'm in deep shade and thick frost. And i'm afraid i refuse to plant in frost as it's bad practice to do so. More to follow |
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Post by Rosefriend on Dec 12, 2007 11:57:25 GMT
Marvellous andy, I was hoping that you would be able to plants some things before Christmas.
I really am amazed that Fatsia's can be left outside in winter - here they are only known as House plants. Infact I don't think that I have ever seen one outside just for the summer either.
I am looking forward to the next lot of pics andy - don't leave it too long will you.
RF
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Post by andy on Dec 12, 2007 12:14:33 GMT
Have you ever tried leaving Fatsias outside RF....we've had them survive down to about minus 15 before in the mid 80's and they're often recommended for north facing borders.....hard as nails they are Start a trend and grow one outside all winter. |
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Post by Rosefriend on Dec 12, 2007 12:21:32 GMT
Good God andy - well I never knew that - I wonder why they are always just sold as houseplants here then...
Start a trend..... blimey that could be dangerous.... the neighbour think that I have got a screw loose already having sown sweetpeas and onions. I don't want anyone ringing the big boys in white.....mind you it is really a tantalising thought......
RF
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Post by piggingardener on Dec 12, 2007 12:39:32 GMT
We have a very healthy fatsia in our garden in the midlands Rosefriend. It grows in a shady north facing border and is as happy as Larry. So much so that I need to thin it out a bit! ;D
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Post by andy on Dec 12, 2007 13:08:40 GMT
Yeah...we've grown them for years in our parks in Brighton.....you get a hardy, exotic, evergreen shrub that's easy to grow in sun or shade.
They will get to 12 feet high if you let them but are as happy being cut back to 2 feet as being let to grow.
As a houseplant, i find they get spindly and prone to red spider, mealy bug, scale and aphids.
If you do try one RF....probably best to buy a houseplant in early summer, grow it in a tub and then leave it in a sheltered area in the tub throughout winter rather than putting one outside now.....they are honestly one of the hardiest shrubs i've grown.
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Post by Rosefriend on Dec 12, 2007 13:15:20 GMT
Thanks PG and andy.
I still find this incredible to be honest. I have just told my OH and he really does think that I am teasing him. Anyway his English is good enough so I told him to read what you had both written - he says that we are getting one......wish it was as easy as that all the time!!!
Yes I only ever had one in the house and it got all sorts of bugs. I will have to leave it in a large tub - what are the roots like? I can cover it in fleece as well if need be.
Do you know I am rather excited - no-one here has got one outside.
Do hope that you come and visit me when the big boys arrive, - I won't tell them whose idea it was - honestly!!
RF
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2007 14:04:33 GMT
Hi RF - just to endorse what Andy said, Fatsias are incredibly hardy and easy. In my last house I had one in a pot in the courtyard- since I did not yet have the gardening bug it got absolutely no care and attention and survived happily for 8 years, growing to about 4 foot. Here I have one in the open ground, it's already about 6 foot, covered in flowers in autumn followed by winter berries. It doesn't mind stray leaves being chopped off - and (as a bonus) the leaves look great in a vase, where they last for months. One of the best plants around ;D ... cheers ... |
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Post by Rosefriend on Dec 12, 2007 14:59:19 GMT
Thanks CC - we it looks as though we will be getting one but it will have to be in a tub.
Do the leaves burn in a lot in the sun - problem is that we have do not have any shade at all really.?
RF
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2007 15:03:47 GMT
Hi RF ... no, mine gets morning sun and a few in the area have pretty much full-time sun - I've never seen the leaves scorched ;D ... cheers ...
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Post by Rosefriend on Dec 12, 2007 15:09:11 GMT
Hey great - they are appealing more and more - thanks CC.
It is even more appealing in that no-one here would dream of having one outside.
RF
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totp
Assistant Gardener
Posts: 128
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Post by totp on Dec 12, 2007 18:35:09 GMT
Here in Warsaw I have a fatsia that grows outside without any problems. It gets lots of mulch round its roots before winter sets in but otherwise I just leave it. It has seen off two fairly cold winters so far and it is looking good at the moment  . |
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Post by Shrubrose on Dec 12, 2007 19:11:31 GMT
Glad I came back to the thread and read about fatsias. I'm getting one! We have a north facing border that looks awfully bare! Come spring, I know what'll be going in there. ;D
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Post by Chuckles on Dec 12, 2007 19:48:24 GMT
Picked up the plants on monday and started planting. Unfortunately, it doesn't really look much at the moment as some of the plants look bare. But here's a pic of some of the plants i've put in so far....the ones with the canes are the willows (salix alba 'tristis'), the fatsia are next to them (evergreen) and in between the two is the sambucus 'aurea' Here are some other pics of the area i have to plant Unfortunately, planting has had to stop for the foreseeable future. The garden faces north east and when it gets cold, it stays cold and whilst the park opposite is enjoying some lovely sun, i'm in deep shade and thick frost. And i'm afraid i refuse to plant in frost as it's bad practice to do so. More to follow Looks good to me Andy, got vision has Chuckles ;D and I can see it is going to look fab. Can't imagine it's much fun planting in that sort of cold Brrrrrrrr Seems like you've started a Fatsia frenzy on here now ;D |
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Specially when you've got all your new goodies in 
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