A planting challange !!

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

  1. Mike Goldsmith

    Mike Goldsmith Gardener

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    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
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  2. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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    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:
     
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      ARMANDII, Apr 17, 2012
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    • Mike Goldsmith

      Mike Goldsmith Gardener

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      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
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    • Madahhlia

      Madahhlia Total Gardener

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      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
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    • Marley Farley

      Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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        Marley Farley, Apr 18, 2012
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      • *dim*

        *dim* Head Gardener

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        it also pays to walk aroung the neighbourhood and see what else is planted and what is doing well
         
        *dim*, Apr 18, 2012
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      • ARMANDII

        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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        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
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      • *dim*

        *dim* Head Gardener

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        OOPS! ....
        :)
         
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          *dim*, Apr 18, 2012
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        • Aesculus

          Aesculus Bureaucrat 34 (Admin)

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          Gorse.
           
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            Aesculus, Apr 18, 2012
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          • Aesculus

            Aesculus Bureaucrat 34 (Admin)

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            and lots of it :lunapic 130165696578242 5:

            oh and Welcome to GC:snork:
             
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              Aesculus, Apr 18, 2012
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            • ARMANDII

              ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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              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
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            • Madahhlia

              Madahhlia Total Gardener

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              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
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            • ARMANDII

              ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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              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
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