New year, new garden tweak

Hi,

Thanks to another thread, I realised that a beech tree I had planted wouldn't work very well for my intended purpose. That got me rethinking the border and I realised that it is better to get the right tree for privacy and interest and then adjust the border around it, rather than try to find a tree that would suit that specific spot.

This is an unglamorous quick photo of the garden. On the right, where I have highlighted in yellow, is a Sorbus Apricot Queen that will eventually grow to a substantial size (it wasn't very noticeable in the photo without any foliage). Where the arrow is, is the general area for the new tree, but I am happy to move things out and make space for it.



My first thought was an evergreen tree, but I have struggled to find one that I don't find boring and that can handle the windy conditions of my garden (I would have liked a strawberry tree for instance). The closest was a Griselinia but there is conflicting information about its mature size. Cotoneaster trees sound OK in theory but it doesn't seem that they are upright enough.

I then considered a specific hornbeam, because apparently they can take pollarding and coppicing well, to manage the size. My understanding however is that the girth would still get big overtime. While they are deciduous, they hold on to their leaves.

On the other hand, I would rather sacrifice Winter interest than get a tree I don't like.

I really like crabapples but I used to have one that struggled with the wind and I had to get rid of it. I have read that some variants are more resistant e.g. Evereste.

I do have an option I am favouring and I was wondering if I could get your opinion please. It is to move an existing Amelanchier Canadensis there. It was planted a couple of years ago, so should be OK to move. Right now it doesn't look amazing but with the help of technology I have added leaves to it to make it look less sorry



Do you think that this is a good plan? Any other ideas?

Thank you.

 

Have you considered a Portuguese Lautel? I had a lovely one in Bucks.

 

What about a whitebeam? They have flowers, berries, lovely silvery leaves, and don't end up massive.

 

Thanks @Victoria I did consider Portuguese Laurel but, as with most plants which are used for hedging, information about standalone trees is scarce and/or conflicting. Some sites say it can get to 15m in height and 10m in width. I would be happy to restrict the size e.g. via pollarding, but I am concerned that the trunk itself get very wide eventually.

Thank you @Notwellygood as well, I hadn't considered that one. I will research it.

 

What about one of the golden Sambucus (Elder)? It would show up well against that dark fence, and elders are tough as old boots.

 

I'd move your Amelanchier there @CostasK. The potential proportions will suit that space well. It can also be pruned if necessary without destroying its qualities as a tree. Griselinia may struggle in your location, it is versatile but more suitable for hedging or pruned shapes. Whitebeam is a lovely tree but it can grow up to 12m so it may be too big.

Although Amelanchiers are deciduous, it doesn't take long for the new leaf buds to show in mid winter, followed by early flowering. Autumn colour is also good and birds like the berries. Another option is a Camellia. They prefer a sheltered location but I've got one that gets quite windswept in a sunny location and it's fine.

 

But if you move the Amelanchier, that gives you a new question about what to put in that space ...

 

@CostasK likes new planting opportunities .

 

You know me well @Plantminded Though actually @Escarpment, there are a few existing plants that could go there. The most obvious option would be to move a Lady of Shalott rose to that spot, to make more room for the tree in the other border.

Thank you for the suggestion of the Sambucus. While I love the foliage, I prefer the form of the Amelanchier personally. It's my main idea and I think that to be tempted away from it, I would need a tree that offers significant advantages over it e.g. it's evergreen or I am head over heels for it.

Plantminded, thanks for the vote towards the Amelanchier. Regarding Camelias, I am a little indifferent towards them actually (though we do have one) and they are more slow growing than I would like, though objectively they are a good suggestion.

 

I think you should give Arbutus unedo a chance, @CostasK . I have mine currently in a pot on the patio and it's a lovely plant, the foliage is glossy and dark green and it's currently full of graceful nodding flower stalks. My Compacta fruited already but dropped the fruit. I bought them a year ago.

Arbutus should be hardy enough, but then again my garden is quite sheltered.

Whatever you go for, it is probably a good idea to go for a young plant rather than a tall one so that it will have time to establish before it grows tall enough to be exposed to the winds.

Some wind shelter or break might also be good, a trellis on top of the fence would break the worst whack a bit.

 

I had mine for 18 years as a stand alone and it did not get too big and I kept it in neat order. It was before I had a computer so pics are that .... pics!

 

Thanks @Selleri I do like it and the idea of a windbreak is interesting.

You are right of course that getting a young plant is more sensible, but I am afraid I want to definitely go against that. I am rather impatient & would love some privacy sooner rather than later. I am happy to stake it, tie it, or even go outside and hold it 24/7 if needed

 

Thank you @Victoria This is very useful information. I will definitely consider it.

 

How about another Sorbus but with different coloured berries to complement your other tree? You wouldn’t have to hug it too much in the wind . I always think that a trellis on top of a fence looks like an attempt to defy the 2m fence height restriction but it could be challenged by your neighbour. You may require planning permission.

I also like Arbutus and Portuguese laurel. Both can be pruned if necessary to adapt to your space. Personally I’d prefer an evergreen in that location for all year screening. A typical deciduous tree will only offer bare branches from October to March or April, after dropping lots of leaves in Autumn .