Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata'

I've given this some thought, but truth be told I don't really know.

I suppose bigger would be better than too small, so I'd err on the side of larger.

If the thing has a tap root then deep would help too.

Sorry, no useful input beyond that I'm afraid.

 

Possible alternative (no idea if they do OK in pots, or not though)


Ilex crenata fastigiata
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221093913934

 

thanks Kristan.
Ive found these near to me and they have what i need. Will have a look.
http://www.kingco.co.uk/evergreen-trees.asp

G

 

Right, ive had a look at these, specifically Cupressus 'Totem' and ive also had a look at Taxus Bacata 'Fastgiata'. I must say, i like the look and feel of the Taxus better than the Cupressus. Just something about conifers. The smell maybe ? The feel and look ? Reminds me of Leylandii
The Taxus though, feels and looks great, more needle than conifer if you know what i mean but very soft foliage.

mmmmmm

 

I'm with you on preferring Taxus to Cupressus. I'm pretty much OK with Thuja, but I would always use Yew all-other-things-being-equal (money to buy big plants or not caring about growing time!)

 

Ive seen one that is very well priced. £9 but its only 4 foot high. Growing 1 foot a year it will take some time to make an impact, probably three years or so but for that price, im thinking of being patient.

 

I always reckon on getting nothing in the first year. Most plants tend to take a year to "move in" well ... they do here, maybe we are more exposed, but all my hedges have not done a lot in Year One, and then have really got going in the next year (or the next year that was not too hot and dry).

Having said that the yews I planted several years ago are definitely doing 1-foot-per-year now and I'm with you on patience paying off:

"Live like you are going to die tomorrow, Garden like you are going to live forever"

 

Well, here it is. Just bought. Its two and a half feet high, so a bit small to go in the border at the moment. Ive decided to put in in a pot for a couple of years and then plant out. I fear it may get swamped otherwise.



G

 

HELP !!!

Ive tried to plant this in a large pot, as ive taken it out of its original, the compost has fallen away with whatever root it had, leaving a tiny bit of root and a stump. Clearly this was potted up bareroot in winter for sale and hasnt had a chance to get a decent root system.
Here's what i have done, i potted it up with a mixture of compost and top soil, firming it in the pot then watered it really well. Have i done the right thing ? Shall i keep it well watered or is there a danger of over watering ??
Any advice greatly received

G

 

Sounds OK to me. How much water you can give depends on how well the compost drains. If the roots are moist they will be fine, no special need to get them wet. Also if the roots are "few" they won't drink a lot, so won't need rewatering too often. I'd put it in the shade for a couple of weeks to reduce sun-stress drying the plant.

Unless it has been recently potted on (i.e. had a small rootball within the pot that you took it out of) then it can't have been in the pot all summer, and I would have said it was early to be ground-lifting bare root plants. You might want to share your concerns with the folk you bought it from?

 

P.S. other than that its a handsome looking chap

 

Thanks Kristan.
It did have a small root ball i think, but not a large one. Its looks healthy enough though. Its so annoying when this happens. It used to happen to Roses but now i just buy them bare root in winter.
The water does not drain quickly which is odd as its a good loam based compost with added John Innes No3 and a multi purpose compost. I had a bit of the Innes left over so bunged it in.Ive got holes in the bootom topped of with stones but the water doesnt sem to be draining through. Could it be the mixture has sucked up the water ?

G

 

It looks healthy Mr. G. I'm just wondering if keeping it in a pot will hold back it's top growth. Mine went straight into the ground at 2ft tall three years ago and is now approx 5ft 6in.

 

Don't know I'm afraid. I just don't like the fact that the soil fell away from the roots when you potted it on.

Personally I would be inclined to re-pot it again and mix in some horticultural grit, or perlite, to open up the compost so that it does drain well (at the risk of having to water it more often), but its only a gut feeling. Or plant out as Sheal say (if that is an option)

 

I have got a spot for it, but thought it may get crowded out as its only 3 feet tall. I agree planting it out would be a batter option.