Recommend me some exotic trees for the UK

Grenage

Arbutus Unedo is very attractive, and doesn't get too large.

MrsStepford

Brown Turkey fig facing South against a wall might well get fruit. Mine is huge but luckily roots are constricted.

Olives are evergreen. Will do nothing for years and then double in size in two years so suggest restricting roots.

I wouldn't dare grow eucalyptus or bay in soil, both are in pots.

What about peach trees ?

Davesnave

MrsStepford wrote: »

I wouldn't dare grow eucalyptus or bay in soil, both are in pots.

Our bay was about 5' when we came here in 2009. By this year it had got to 10', so it was out with the chain saw and back to 5' again. Looked horrendous, but 3 months later there's no sign of our attack and it's looking great.


The wood burns instantly too.


Take your point about the eucalyptus, though.

DaftyDuck

I've got peach, apricot and nectarines growing here in Norfolk, and they grow fine. The nectarines do least well, but it's early days for them.

When on the south coast, I had a large number of lemon, lime, kumquat, calamondin, and the like, and only brought them in for a couple of months a year. Here, they are in for about five months, but they are living this weather.

I have olives out all year. They are fruiting up well and look stunning.

tori.k

DaftyDuck wrote: »

I have olives out all year. They are fruiting up well and look stunning.

But have they ever ripened? mine never has but its an interesting shape ( pretty much tortured with neglect )

DaftyDuck

Yes, down south they did most years. Up here, with the colder weather, not so many, but they do. Last year was the first year, but they had been moved (they came with me in pots). This year, they look promising, but with all the rain and cold this summer... well, I'm expecting a decent harvest. I am south-facing, wonderful microclimate, hoping to put in a small vineyard next year, and most might not be so fortunate with climate, or lucky.

But, even a non-productive olive looks fantastic!

Edit to add: "here" is Norfolk....

MysteryMe

I have a couple of eucalyptus trees in a typical suburban garden. I keep then in check and they are beautiful. I love the colour of the bark and leaves. They've been there for at least 15 years.

moneyistooshorttomention

coffeehound wrote: »

Eucalyptus are fast growing with an exotic appearance.

...and grow extremely tall and become a nuisance (assuming one doesnt have a massive garden to put them in). I know someone that got told by their insurance company they had to remove the one they'd put in their garden.

Davesnave

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

...and grow extremely tall and become a nuisance (assuming one doesnt have a massive garden to put them in). I know someone that got told by their insurance company they had to remove the one they'd put in their garden.

My insurers have no idea what's in my garden, so how did the insurers know it was there?

The best way to have a controlled, well-behaved eucalyptus is to be diligent and control it, or failing that, to have a partner who is heavily into flower-arranging.


PS My olives do nothing exciting. They're quite pleasant, but I wouldn't call them exotic. I grew them from seed, so maybe I got the wrong strain.

coffeehound

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

...and grow extremely tall ...

Yes, the OP wants tall trees. My parents have a couple of mature ones in a modestly sized garden and they are not a problem. Yet.

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