which small evergreen hardy tree?

Discussion in 'Trees' started by *dim*, Jul 22, 2011.

  1. *dim*

    *dim* Head Gardener

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    Hi guys ...am busy planting a small garden .... most of the planting has been done, however, I have one more hole to fill

    the hole is on a bed that is against a south facing wall ... the wall is 2m high, and gets good sun

    I have planted 4-star jasmine against the wall , which will eventually cover the whole wall (hopefully) ...

    to the left of the hole, approx 3m away is a ceonthus (the new variety that grows 2,5m tall and is 1m wide ..

    on the other side of the hole ( 3 1/2m) away is japanese maple that is recessed in a gap that is between the wall and the house (protected from wind, and in semi-shade, and that can be planted close to the wall i.e 500mm away from the wall)


    not sure what to plant, but need something evergreen that will not grow too wide (don't mind the height)

    would love to plant a golden false acaia as it would match the rest of the garden which I have landscaped (the acacia is not an evergreen, but has lovely yellow foilage and will go well with the Chamaerops Humilis palms, ferns, hostas and hakonechloa macra aureola grass etc) ....

    problem being is that the golden false acaia grows pretty wide and once it grows over 2m (higher than the wall, it will be belted by strong winds i.e. the last few weeks saw some really strong wind in that area) ... have read that the golden false acaia can be pruned?

    if that is out of the question, I need some advice for something similar
     
  2. Jupes

    Jupes Gardener

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    What about carpenteria californica, grows to about 2m but is slim so should fit in neatly.
     
  3. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

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    *dim* may I ask, what is a 4-star Jasmine?
     
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    • Trunky

      Trunky ...who nose about gardening

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      A couple of suggestions:
      Variegated Box (Buxus sempervirens 'Elegantissima'), an evergreen which won't get too large, you can easily keep it to whatever height and width you want by occasional trimming or pruning.
      If you want something with golden yellow foliage which doesn't take up too much space, as an alternative to Golden False Acacia, how about Golden Elm (Ulmus x hollandica 'Wredei')? Not evergreen, but an interesting upright shape which will still look good in the winter.
       
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      • Bilbo675

        Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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        How about Garrya elliptica - everygreen and fantastic long catkins.
        or
        Ceanothus Zanzibar - a stunning golden & green leafed variety, can be trained and pruned successfully against a wall.

        :thumb:
         
      • *dim*

        *dim* Head Gardener

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        thanks for the replies so far!

        will have a very close look at the suggestions

        :dbgrtmb:
         
      • *dim*

        *dim* Head Gardener

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        it's not a 4-star jasmine ....

        meant to say that I need to plant four star jasmine creepers (Trachelospermum jasminoides)
         
      • clueless1

        clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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        We had a false acacia in our last garden. It was a lovely tree. It had sharp thorns though, although not very many so they rarely got me except when pruning (when it would retaliate).

        It stood up to everything the weather threw at it, including gale force winds that would make it bend and rock quite violently. It didn't bat an eye lid when I took my saw to it on more than one occasion, removing the lower branches so I could get to my herb patch, or removing branches that were overhanging the neighbour's garden.

        In the time I was there (just over 10 years) I saw it grow from about 8ft high to about 30ft.

        My neighbour at the time, who was infinitely more knowledgeable than me, warned me that there was a disease that threatened them, which was quite serious. He said they should only be pruned in winter (which I later learned is true of most trees), and that any open wounds should be treated immediately with fungicide.
         
      • *dim*

        *dim* Head Gardener

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        thanks Trunky ... the Golden elm will be perfect! ... am going to the garden centre today so will see if they have one, if not, will search ebay, but would like to plant today as then the gardening job is done, and I get paid today .... (this job has been dragging on and on)
         
      • *dim*

        *dim* Head Gardener

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        went to the garden centre, bought the star jasmines ... the golden elm will only be available from the end of next month ... client is happy to wait, so when the golden elm are available for sale, the garden centre will give me a call (have not seen any on ebay)

        planted the star jasmines (pre-ordered them by phone, lady told me they were 3 foot high excluding the pot) @£15.99 each

        when I collected them, the plants are approx 1 foot high and the 3 bamboo canes are 3 foot high .... Oh well, that's life I suppose .... the larger ones were over £45 each

        however, bought stuff called rootgrow that they were advertising, and included 3 scoops in the bottom of each hole .... will be interesting to see if it makes a difference ...

        this stuff seems to be getting good reviews .... and is endorsed by the RHS

        from what I have read, it can only be used in the bottom of the planting hole ... pity, as I have some left and thought I would 'water it in' to a few palms which I recently planted
         
      • daitheplant

        daitheplant Total Gardener

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        Thank you for the clarification.:loll::loll:
         
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