Native trees and shrubs for sandy coastal soil
|
Author |
Message |
CoillteÉire Rank attained: Hazel Tree


Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Co. Dublin
|
Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:53 pm Post subject: Native trees and shrubs for sandy coastal soil |
|
|
Hi
I was wondering if anyone might be able to help me here. I'm looking for native trees/shrubs that might be naturally suited to my area (dublin coast, probably within a mile from the bay).
I do know a bit about the conditions: we get a bit of a sea breeze (not too bad though); the soil is neutral and is mostly sandy: sand:silt:clay=3:1:1...roughly (I know that from a test I found on this site, so thanks to whoever posted it); the soil seems fairly well drained (as far as i can tell)... it's definitely not waterlogged anyway; I don't know about fertility but I think the bedrock is limestone (90% sure, but i only have fairly large scale maps on the internet to go by).
There's a bit of a woods near us but it's over half made up of Beech, Sycamore and Horse Chestnut. The native trees i've identified are: some Oak (not sure which type) but mostly Holly, Hawthorn, Elder and Ash (found it a bit difficult to distiguish between these last two without being right up close ). I think there might be two or three Yew trees here and there but I didn't even know what a Yew tree was when they might have had flowers and they have no sign of berries yet, so it seems like they only way to identify them would be to get someone to nibble the leaves . There might be other species suitable to the area that I just haven't identified yet.
I'm only starting off so any advice at all would be gratefully accepted. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Sive Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 1731 Location: Co.Wexford
|
Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 4:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
How about the magnificent Scots Pine ? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
JennyS Rank attained: Rowan Tree


Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 125 Location: West Cork, Ireland
|
Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
What sort of size garden or area of ground are you thinking of planting? _________________ Irish wildflowers |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Liparis Rank attained: Orchard owner

Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 651 Location: Co. Meath
|
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides). Also some alternative medicinal uses and beauty products can be harvested.
Bill. _________________ Earth is the insane asylum of the Universe.
http://www.species-specific.com/orchid-forum/ |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
CoillteÉire Rank attained: Hazel Tree


Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Co. Dublin
|
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 12:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the help everyone
Our garden's about 80ft long and 20ft wide, but there are a few built structures (a roofed bench area, etc.) and a cabin/shed with foundations that go down a few feet and unfortunately prevent us from planting the Giants like Scots Pine or Oak, still it's good to know what to look out for in the woods and around the area in general. It's a pity about the Pine though because out of all the large conifers I've seen it has to be my favourite, it immediately reminds me of some primeval forest. Sea Buckthorn looks very suitable, and I'll have to look out for it next time I go down near the beach.
I was also thinking of planting a Hawthorn for the birds, but the maximum height seems surprisingly big. What size of space would it take to avoid needing to cut it back eventually - it could be planted right up to a hedge (south facing), would this prevent it spreading into the centre of the garden too much?
Thanks again for the help.  |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
JennyS Rank attained: Rowan Tree


Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 125 Location: West Cork, Ireland
|
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
One place to start would be to have a look at what's growing in the gardens around you and get some ideas of what you'd like from that.
If you come across plants you don't know post photo's on the forum, either in this thread or in the ID section.
Quote: | Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides). Also some alternative medicinal uses and beauty products can be harvested. |
Be warned, Sea Buckthorn spreads and suckers like anything when it gets going........
Though it was originally planted in coastal area's to stabilise sand-dunes its now got completely out-of-hand in some places and is causing habitat wreckage! _________________ Irish wildflowers |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
CoillteÉire Rank attained: Hazel Tree


Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Co. Dublin
|
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hmm... That Sea Buckthorn could cause a problem .
I'll have a look around at what's growing in other gardens, but there won't be a huge amount to go on, as many of the gardens around here tend be very bare i.e. a gravel driveway with one lonesome palm or a large lawn with a small flower bed. There are a fair few posibilities though. I'll have to go on a reconnaisance mission soon
Thanks for the advice . |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
JennyS Rank attained: Rowan Tree


Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 125 Location: West Cork, Ireland
|
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
Future Forests in Co.Cork do a lot of plants by mail order and I think they indicate in their printed catalogue what trees, shrubs and perennials are suitable for sandy and coastal area's.
Their website is here with plant lists and catalogue info though the bareroot season (for posting trees and shrubs) won't start until the autumn. http://www.futureforests.net _________________ Irish wildflowers |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Guelder Rank attained: Hazel Tree


Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 14
|
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
CoillteÉire wrote: |
I'll have a look around at what's growing in other gardens, but there won't be a huge amount to go on, as many of the gardens around here tend be very bare i.e. a gravel driveway with one lonesome palm or a large lawn with a small flower bed. There are a fair few posibilities though. I'll have to go on a reconnaisance mission soon
Thanks for the advice . |
I would pay more attention to what is growing in the hedges and woods (you seem to have already taken a note of this anyway) than what is in the gardens. you can stick a plant in the ground anywhere, but if it got there on its own it is a far better sign. You can always go for different (fancier!) varieties of the species you see. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
CoillteÉire Rank attained: Hazel Tree


Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Co. Dublin
|
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 5:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the info
Had a look at the futureforests site. Apparently Gorse might be an option. On the woods side of things, i'm pretty sure i've found some Gorse on the side of a hill, also some Blackberry but these are both on some fairly public private ground (it's the grounds of a hotel but the area has always been used for walks etc. it's practically abandoned by them).
The question is would anyone plant Gorse or Blackberry?  |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Guelder Rank attained: Hazel Tree


Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 14
|
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 4:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
CoillteÉire wrote: | Thanks for the info
Had a look at the futureforests site. Apparently Gorse might be an option. On the woods side of things, i'm pretty sure i've found some Gorse on the side of a hill, also some Blackberry but these are both on some fairly public private ground (it's the grounds of a hotel but the area has always been used for walks etc. it's practically abandoned by them).
The question is would anyone plant Gorse or Blackberry?  |
Considered planting Gorse too. Fine in a corner that is mostly viewed from a distance, it would give you a nice splash of colour when in flower, but it can look a bit leggy and woody up close when it matures. Broom might be a better option.
As for Blackberries, they don't really have a structure or shape on their own. I wouldn't put them in, they'll probably arrive in anyway. if you leave a few wild patches around the edges. If you want a rambler that has a good wildlife value I'd go for one of the wild roses.
Can't beat a mixed hedge - hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, dog roses, if you've room for a big hedge. If it is standalone trees you're after birches are nice as are mountain ash/rowan. _________________ http://www.evogarden.com |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You can attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2006 - present IrishGardeners.com (part of GardenPlansIreland.com)
|