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Advice needed please

Alex 4Alex 4 Posts: 56
in Plants

I have a third hogshead barrel to use as a container, so quite large. I ideally would like an evergreen shrub/bush for it, to grow to an eventual height of, say, 1.5m. It will be placed in full sun facing south. I don't like azaleas or rhododendrons.

Any ideas please?

Thanks

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Posts

  • flowering roseflowering rose Posts: 1,632

    In  sheltered area I would try a bay tree but unless you grow it yourself from  a small cutting it could be costly.

  • Alex 4Alex 4 Posts: 56

    I don't really want a "tree" - I would prefer something more bushy and showy. Bay trees look a bit constipated - like conifers. Thanks anyway.

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    That's about 80 litres so quite a decent size.  How about an evergreen Ceanothus or a Skimmia?

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Alex 4Alex 4 Posts: 56

    I like both but the trouble is that I already have several of each in my garden and wanted something a bit different. It has to be fully hardy.

    A problem, for sure

    Thanks

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    How about a Chaenomeles underplanted with a small evergreen Clematis?

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Alex 4Alex 4 Posts: 56

    Chaenomeles might be a possibility. Some varieties I've seen seem a bit bare on leaves. Is there a variety which is quite lush and very hardy?

    Thanks

  • Alex 4Alex 4 Posts: 56

    .... and I didn't realise there were small evergreen clematis - forsteri Joe looks beautiful!

  • WeaveyDaveyWeaveyDavey Posts: 575

    Hi Alex 4, I think Verdun's suggestion is a brilliant solution, given your preferences. I'd vote for "Cathedral Bells" as a fairly compact pieris which has flowered mightily but has 'behaved,' ie not gone straggly, in a sheltered shady courtyard for several years. The clusters of white/yellowish flowers are a real delight, though a bit messy after they've gone over. Enjoy & then post a result of your final choice to satisfy our curiosity, eh??

    image

     

  • MooreinyourGradenMooreinyourGraden Posts: 2
    Sarcococca confusa has an amazing scented flower is evergreen and gets to about 2m. Or go for deciduous but interesting like the corkscrew hazel which has catkins and attractive twisting branches.

     

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