Shrub advice

Clondoolusk · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 9:08 pm Post subject: Shrub advice

Hi, Im wondering can anybody recommend a shrub to go inside of an enclosed buxus hedge, looking for something evergreen and that preferably will spread quickly? Thanks Wink

Greengage · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 7:52 am Post subject:

I assume this is like a parterre or knot garden if so how about, Rosemary, Santolina, Lavander and Bulbs (Tulips or Alliums), Grasses like stipa tennuissima, or low growing red berberis.... I wait to see what others suggest.

Good guy · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 10:33 am Post subject:

Ophiopopogon nigrescens is evergreen, has attractive flowers and would contrast beautifully with the bulbs Greengage suggests.

Good guy · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 10:35 am Post subject: Ophiopopogon nigrescens

I forgot to include this picture.

James Kilkelly · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 12:49 pm Post subject:

Good ideas so far.
Now my go.

Semi-evergreen and not a shrub, but boy does it spread quickly.
Tough and eally pretty too............ I offer the suggestion of Persicaria affinis 'Darjeeling Red'

kindredspirit · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 1:36 pm Post subject:

I've seen Heather used with Box to good effect.

Clondoolusk · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 7:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks a million for all the replies, some great ideas there. Particularly like the pictures of the persicaria affinis, have not seen these before. Any idea where I could buy some? Thanks

Good guy · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 7:15 pm Post subject:

I have the Persicaria surrounding a crab apple near my front door. I love it - the bright rusty autumn/winter colour is so welcome these dark days.
It's easy to get from any decent nursery. If you've a problem I'll send you cuttings!

Clondoolusk · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 7:54 pm Post subject:

Thanks a million Good guy! It must be meant to be we just bought a crab apple tree "Marus - Gorgeous" for that area so i think we will have to go ahead and get some persicaria affinis for it. Have you many planted? I have a 4metre x 4 metre area to fill

Good guy · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2015 12:16 am Post subject:

I can't remember how many I planted - probably not more than three, as they spread quickly if they are happy. Mine are in a triangular bed about eight ft by eight on its shortest sides. I'll send a picture tomorrow, though it's a bit scruffy as one corner of the triangle is taken up with marjoram which isn't pretty at the minute. The bed is edged on one side with chives and I have crocus and tulips in there and some wallflowers, too.

Clondoolusk · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2015 11:40 am Post subject:

Thanks good guy, would love to see the pictures.

Good guy · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2015 4:07 pm Post subject: Photo, clondoolusk

Here's the photo, Clondoolusk, on a dull day. This is a sloping patch of ground - the flue liners on the left have mint in them and the chives will fill out the rest of the left side, in the spring. The darkish patch in front of the tree was caused by birds. There was a bird feeder on the tree and they used to go fossicking around in the leaves looking for dropped bits of food.
It's time now that I went over the whole patch with clippers to take off last season's flower heads and to tidy edges. That's all the maintenance it needs.

Greengage · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2015 6:02 pm Post subject:

I dont want to burst your bubble but I think Persicaria can be a bit invasive, it Prefers moisture retentive soil in sun or part shade but may spread quickly in wet soil. It also harbours slugs and gets slimy as it moves into winter, with box hedging I would suggest something more formal, but its your garden so let us know what you do.

tippben · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2015 1:31 pm Post subject:

I would not introduce Persicaria to a newly planted Malus. It is far too vigorous, and will have a serious impact on the tree, I would go for spring, summer and autumn flowering bulbs (you can buy and plant summer flowering bulbs soon), and Cyclamens for that situation. Good Guy's photo shows a fairly well established tree, and the Persicaria cannot spread, being enclosed.

tagwex · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2015 6:02 pm Post subject:

"Fossicking" ???
What language is that? I may look it up, it's a new one on me.