Which Bush?

Dan-Dan

Hi All

A corner of my garden , about 1.5 m squared , has very very poor grass , where in the past builders have mixed cement on it etc , anyway ,i was thinking of planting a nice bush there
Has anyone got any tips on a beefy style bush that is good for any wildlife but also safe for children to fall into , and that will be hardy enough to live , in soil thats been contaminated with sand and cement and stones?

Thanks

REEN

Buddleia would fit the bill, it's good for bees and butterflies and it grows in any old rubbish.

Dan-Dan

Reen wrote: »

Buddleia would fit the bill, it's good for bees and butterflies and it grows in any old rubbish.

and it would need to , they have ruined pieces of this garden , the only way to mend would be to dig and turf and money says no!

thanks Reen

lisa110rry

Buddleias also tend to be very reasonably priced. I would recommend the common or garden davidii.

Farway

A third for buddleia, they grow in old old walls, paving cracks etc and are togh and will survive all sorts of damage

And the insects love the flowers, as do the birds love the seed heeds in the winter

andrewf75

lisa110rry wrote: »

Buddleias also tend to be very reasonably priced. I would recommend the common or garden davidii.

I'm sure you could even dig one up from somewhere, they grow everywhere along railway lines

arbrighton

they plant themselves in our garden absolutely anywhere given a chance

Davesnave

andrewf75 wrote: »

I'm sure you could even dig one up from somewhere, they grow everywhere along railway lines

Yes, but that's the wild ones. For a garden, it's worth spending a few bob on something with nicer leaves, like 'Lochinch, ' or in a pleasant colour, like 'Pink Delight.'

phoebe1989seb

I'm a bit late to the party Dan, but another vote for Buddleia here Despite there already being five large specimens here, I'm just about to order a Buddleia Weyriana Sungold from Crocus - it's a bit different from the bog standard purple ones we inherited when we bought this house

Davesnave

As it says in Proverbs Chapter 6: "Go to the supermarket car parks, my son; consider their planting, and be wise."

In other words, if you want tough, no-nonsense plants, look at what's used in places where people with an obligation, but no interest, put in their 'amenity planting.' You could even help yourself to a few cuttings, like I do.

So, while buddleia is very OK from a wildlife POV, it isn't enough in such places, because it's semi-deciduous, and to do its best, it needs cutting hard back every year or two as well - not just a little either. No good for the hedgetrimmer guys.

So, an alternative that would benefit wildlife and keep its leaves is Berberis darwinii. This flowers early, when there is a dearth of nectar for early insects and it also produces (safe) berries. It can also take care of itself where boisterous kids are concerned, but without really hurting them....much.

This is it, though I wouldn't pay that much. (I grew mine from seed collected in Lidl's car park )

http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/berberis-darwinii/classid.299/

Linda32

If you do go for a buddleia, can I recommend the miniature varieties. We have got three and although as said they still don't do a lot for the garden in winter, in the summer it means you have flowers actually in the garden rather than 10 foot up in the air.

The garden next door to us has the common or garden one and we get to see the flowers from our bedroom window.