A planting challange !!

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Mike Goldsmith, Apr 17, 2012.

  1. Mike Goldsmith

    Mike Goldsmith Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2012
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +0
    I have just bought a house on an island in Shetland. I would like to create a garden on the half acre I have there, however: there are thousands of rabbits and sheep often invade the land (I don't wish to fence the land). The area is also battered by high, salty winds and it can get very cold. Any ideas welcome.
     
    Mike Goldsmith, Apr 17, 2012
    #1 Quote in Conversation
  2. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2019
    Messages:
    48,096
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +100,851
    I could say move, Mike, but I won't!!:snork: What the aspect of the house?, is it sheltered?, what direction does the garden face?, what's the soil like?:scratch:
     
    • Like Like x 1
      ARMANDII, Apr 17, 2012
      #2 Quote in Conversation
    • Mike Goldsmith

      Mike Goldsmith Gardener

      Joined:
      Apr 17, 2012
      Messages:
      2
      Gender:
      Male
      Ratings:
      +0
      Well..... having only just bought it !! - another consideration is that as I have bought it as a holiday retreat I will not be there too often so any planting will have to look after itself on the whole. The house is not at all sheltered, it is often hit by force 9 gales straight from Iceland. The house is detached so there is land on all sides but the main aspect where I would like to plant is facing East. The island is Fetlar which is called 'the garden of Shetland' as the soil is very good but I can't give you a technical breakdown. Many thanks
       
      Mike Goldsmith, Apr 18, 2012
      #3 Quote in Conversation
    • Madahhlia

      Madahhlia Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Mar 19, 2007
      Messages:
      3,678
      Gender:
      Female
      Location:
      Suburban paradise
      Ratings:
      +3,090
      I would look and see what other people grow in their gardens and what grows in the wild - then plant some of that stuff. It will probably need to be something unpalatable to sheep and rabbits - gorse, or something else prickly and tough. You could protect young trees from sheep by fencing the trunks, but they might need a shelter belt to get going.
       
      Madahhlia, Apr 18, 2012
      #4 Quote in Conversation
    • Marley Farley

      Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

      Joined:
      May 11, 2005
      Messages:
      30,588
      Occupation:
      Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
      Location:
      Under the Edge Zone 8b
      Ratings:
      +14,130
      • Like Like x 1
        Marley Farley, Apr 18, 2012
        #5 Quote in Conversation
      • *dim*

        *dim* Head Gardener

        Joined:
        Jun 26, 2011
        Messages:
        3,548
        Location:
        Cambridge
        Ratings:
        +1,593
        it also pays to walk aroung the neighbourhood and see what else is planted and what is doing well
         
        *dim*, Apr 18, 2012
        #6 Quote in Conversation
      • ARMANDII

        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jan 12, 2019
        Messages:
        48,096
        Gender:
        Male
        Ratings:
        +100,851
        Unfortunately, dim, where Mike's holiday home is is unlike most "neighbourhoods" where you can have a walk around the street to see what other people are growing. The Shetlands are our Northernmost set of islands, remote, and has only become more populated due to the Oil Rigs, etc. Most cottages, such as Mike's, are on Crofts [small holdings] and are usually quite far apart. His nearest neighbours, as he says, are thousand of Rabbits and Sheep. I would guess there are very few "gardens" out there. I did a six month tour in the Outer Hebrides and a 9 week visit to the Shetlands and only by visiting it can you even get a sense of what the weather, climate and terrain can be like.!! Marley's post will probably be of great help. You need some really tough plants for there.:snork:
         
        ARMANDII, Apr 18, 2012
        #7 Quote in Conversation
      • *dim*

        *dim* Head Gardener

        Joined:
        Jun 26, 2011
        Messages:
        3,548
        Location:
        Cambridge
        Ratings:
        +1,593
        OOPS! ....
        :)
         
        • Like Like x 1
          *dim*, Apr 18, 2012
          #8 Quote in Conversation
        • Aesculus

          Aesculus Bureaucrat 34 (Admin)

          Joined:
          Apr 30, 2008
          Messages:
          4,327
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Cashier
          Location:
          Isle of Wight
          Ratings:
          +1,337
          Gorse.
           
          • Like Like x 1
            Aesculus, Apr 18, 2012
            #9 Quote in Conversation
          • Aesculus

            Aesculus Bureaucrat 34 (Admin)

            Joined:
            Apr 30, 2008
            Messages:
            4,327
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Cashier
            Location:
            Isle of Wight
            Ratings:
            +1,337
            and lots of it :lunapic 130165696578242 5:

            oh and Welcome to GC:snork:
             
            • Like Like x 1
              Aesculus, Apr 18, 2012
              #10 Quote in Conversation
            • ARMANDII

              ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

              Joined:
              Jan 12, 2019
              Messages:
              48,096
              Gender:
              Male
              Ratings:
              +100,851
              Well, here's a few suggestions for tough Shrubs that could/might deal with the conditions out in the Shetlands:biggrin::

              Euonymus Japonica
              Olearia macrodonta
              Rosa Rugosa
              Tamarix Tetrandra
              Hippophae rhamnoides
              Elaeagnus x ebbingei

              and possibly:

              Arbutus unedo
              Cystisus x purpureus
              Ceanothus
              Phomis Frutica

              I take it, Mike, that you're not bothered about having trees there:heehee:
               
              ARMANDII, Apr 18, 2012
              #11 Quote in Conversation
            • Madahhlia

              Madahhlia Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Mar 19, 2007
              Messages:
              3,678
              Gender:
              Female
              Location:
              Suburban paradise
              Ratings:
              +3,090
              Blimey, ceanothus struggled in Leicester last winter, can't think what they'd do on a wind/salt/rain/frost-swept for 9 months of the year sort-of-place!
               
              Madahhlia, Apr 18, 2012
              #12 Quote in Conversation
            • ARMANDII

              ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

              Joined:
              Jan 12, 2019
              Messages:
              48,096
              Gender:
              Male
              Ratings:
              +100,851
              Sorry, Madahhlia, I should have been more specific:doh:

              Ceanothus "Gloire de Versailles" is one of the hardiest of the Ceanothus and is used on coastal gardens.:snork:
               
              ARMANDII, Apr 18, 2012
              #13 Quote in Conversation
            Loading...
            Similar Threads - planting challange
            1. Robert West 82

              Planting out a Tree Peony

              Robert West 82, Oct 22, 2025, in forum: Other Plants
              Replies:
              2
              Views:
              566
              Robert West 82
              Oct 23, 2025
            2. MichelleW

              Wisteria - transplanting from pot to the ground

              MichelleW, Sep 7, 2025, in forum: Gardening Discussions
              Replies:
              2
              Views:
              692
              Obelix-Vendée
              Sep 19, 2025
            3. nightofjoy

              Planting a fruit tree in a container, over cremated ashes.

              nightofjoy, Aug 26, 2025, in forum: Container Gardening
              Replies:
              4
              Views:
              693
              Selleri
              Aug 27, 2025
            4. Goldenlily26

              Look to the future when planting trees

              Goldenlily26, Jul 31, 2025, in forum: Trees
              Replies:
              4
              Views:
              838
              Goldenlily26
              Jul 31, 2025
            5. steven eales

              planting with wildlife in mind

              steven eales, Jul 3, 2025, in forum: NEW Gardeners !
              Replies:
              90
              Views:
              5,623
              Ditherer
              Nov 16, 2025

            Share This Page

            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
              Accept Learn More...
              Dismiss Notice