Garden plant advice

Jellynailer

Another possibility is brushwood or similar flexible screen that you would tie to the metal upriight and even grow ornamental ivy, winter jasmine or any climber for a shady spot,

1404

BarelySentientAI said:

1404 said:

Sarahspangles said:

We removed a similar hedge on a boundary, it was starting to damage the footway.  OH had lots of fun with a mini digger removing the rootballs. As it was on top of a terraced bit of the garden, the impact inside the boundary was limited to suckering for the next three years until we’d rooted out all the bits of root that had worked their way under the first terrace.

It’s a common fallacy that a tree or shrub will have a root zone equal in spread to the height of the tree, when it is the pruned or trimmed height you’re going by. If a small tree would naturally grow to 5m, it could still have a 5m diameter root zone. If it’s cut back at 3m to 1.5m it will use its root zone to put back as much growth as possible each subsequent year, since genetically it’s a 5m tree. It might be slowed down a bit in its re growth by having less top growth for photosynthesis, but it won’t jettison roots.

You can restrict the size of a tree or shrub by restricting its root zone, that’s how bonsais are made.

How do you restrict the root zone? Just by regular pruning to prevent the plant ever becoming more than 6ft (in my case with my Cherry Laurels)?

By having it in a pot.

Good suggestion 👍

1404

Any recommendations on what soil/compost Cherry Laurels should be planted in when placed in large (160cm x 40 x 40) planters?

I've bought some Asda multiple purpose compost, but does that really have the consistency to hold up 6ft tall plants? Doesn't seem like it's soil.

Cost is a factor, so preferably something cost effective. I have a few of these large planters to fill.

Is it top soil which I should fill the planters with, as oppose to compost?

Eldi_Dos

The recommendation for planters like that would be a John Innes No3 Mix (Peat Free)

B&Q have Verve Topsoil 25 litres for £4 at the moment.

Put some bricks or gravel in the bottom to provide drainage and weight to delay them becoming top heavy.

If the planters are suitable for drilling I would put in a couple of drainage holes just above level of gravel, this will allow a reservoir for water without the soil becoming saturated.

FreeBear

It is a bit early in the year to be transplanting shrubs - Best to wait until November if you can.

1404

Eldi_Dos said:

The recommendation for planters like that would be a John Innes No3 Mix (Peat Free)

B&Q have Verve Topsoil 25 litres for £4 at the moment.

Put some bricks or gravel in the bottom to provide drainage and weight to delay them becoming top heavy.

If the planters are suitable for drilling I would put in a couple of drainage holes just above level of gravel, this will allow a reservoir for water without the soil becoming saturated.

I've bought Berkfield raised bed planters. They look like they have drainage at the bottom, unless I've misunderstood the pics. Does this mean I don't need to use gravel/bricks for drainage? And also not need to drill holes? (I understand the point about needing weight at the bottom of the planter.

This is what my planter apparently looks like (it hasn't arrived yet):



Also, would the soil be good to to be mixed with compost? 70/30 soil/compost?


Yes, Verve at £4 per 25l looks great value. I think The Range do a similar priced soil called Levington Top Soil.

1404

FreeBear said:

It is a bit early in the year to be transplanting shrubs - Best to wait until November if you can.

I can certainly wait until November. My thinking was that I planted these 6ft Cherry Laurels in the ground a month ago and that the longer I wait the harder they will be to move. That being said, I haven't noticed much growth and they've lost a noticable amount of leaves. They still look ok though.  

Eldi_Dos

The Berkfield Raised Bed Planters that I see on their website describe them as open bottom, the picture you show has some sort of liner in the bottom. Best wait till they arrive, if need be there will be away of lining them so that roots are contained.

I have used the bags that compost/ topsoil come in for that, cut to size and shape.

You could mix the topsoil with compost as you suggest but it would be better with just topsoil and use compost elsewhere in the garden.

MysteryMe

I really would not use cheap multi purpose compost, not suitable for shrubs/small trees. That sort of stuff is OK for annuals/ bedding but not for anything long term.  The soil needs to be rich in structure and nutrients. 

1404

Eldi_Dos said:

The Berkfield Raised Bed Planters that I see on their website describe them as open bottom, the picture you show has some sort of liner in the bottom. Best wait till they arrive, if need be there will be away of lining them so that roots are contained.

I have used the bags that compost/ topsoil come in for that, cut to size and shape.

You could mix the topsoil with compost as you suggest but it would be better with just topsoil and use compost elsewhere in the garden.

It's on legs, so I think it just have a bottom to it. I'll take a look when it arrives.

B&Q sell it too for £81. But I bought it from VidaXL on eBay for £65. I've bought 4 of them (all 160cms x 40 x 38).