Which tree/plant best as a thank you present?

Yorkie1

That will help, but the height of summer still isn't the best time for planting trees. It should be later in the year.

nuttyrockeress

What about a clematis? One with a significant name perhaps? Fond memories?

cootambear

Farway wrote: »

Trouble with strawberries is the birds & slugs

There are thornless gooseberries, no idea on flavour /taste though, or maybe a currant? Flowers & fruit

Assuming the H & E aspect are ignored then a fruit tree would be best, because once established it will give some blossom & fruit regardless of the neglect it gets, I guess an apple is the obvious choice, but a self fertile pear maybe?

I accept a few slug strikes. Picked 20 yeaterday, only 3 were bitten, just cut off the bitten bit and ate em. I have those multi windmill wheels dangling from my washing line, that and the neighbours semi feral cat seems to keep the birds off.

cootambear

alfieroux wrote: »

Brilliant ideas! Thank you. The trouble with the strawberries is that they need TLC, both in the height of summer and in the winter. I love the potted herbs idea. I will look out for some cheap terracotta pots and little herb plants - failing that I think I still like the fruit tree idea as it will give the children blossom and fruit. I love trees as they tell children the seasons too. Will trawl the garden centre over the weekend and see what is the most cost-effective and reasonable present.

Thanks
Mrs Alfie x

In the ground (not containers) they are the antipathy of needing TLC, except in drought in the summer where they need some water. In the winter you don`t have to do anything.

alfieroux

What about a clematis? One with a significant name perhaps? Fond memories?

Brilliant! I love the name. I will look out for that. I now have an arsenal of ideas to hit the gardern centre with:j!

cootambear: Thank you for the Strawberry idea - it is the drought I am worried about (though it is chucking it down at the minute:rotfl:)

Thanks to all who have helped.

Mrs Alfie

[Deleted User]

Mayflower10cat wrote: »

There are some thornless roses you might be able to consider! (See link to expensive David Austin site but you could google for them elsewhere)
http://www.davidaustinroses.com/english/Advanced.asp?PageId=2026
Also, there are little 'ballerina' fruit trees that might be suitable? https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/367238

I can recommend the thornless Ziphirine Drouhin climber (from the first link). I have one in my garden and it has amazing flowers and a beautiful scent.

Oldernotwiser

3v3 wrote: »

Rosemary for "rememberance"

Shakespeare:
“There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember; and there is pansies, that's for thoughts.”

Exactly what I was going to say.

3v3

alfieroux wrote: »

Brilliant! I love the name. I will look out for that. I now have an arsenal of ideas to hit the gardern centre with:j!

cootambear: Thank you for the Strawberry idea - it is the drought I am worried about (though it is chucking it down at the minute:rotfl:)

Thanks to all who have helped.

Mrs Alfie

Just a thought, but, when you make your final decision (and bearing in mind part of your thinking is that the garden is used by under 5's) as well as the "thorn" issue, it may be worth considering the "other senses" side of the argument.

Plants/trees/shrubs which give colour, year round interest, scent and are non-poisonous, could be appreciated by all children/teachers.
A plant/tree/shrub with only seasonal interest, or which would only appeal to those fully sighted users would bring limited pleasure.