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Which one of these would be best?

noviceneedshelpnoviceneedshelp Posts: 66
in Plants

Im thinking of buying 3 standard small trees for a shady border (gets a little morning sun) im wondering what would be best? 

Ive thought either holly, euonymus or elaeagnas id like verigated types if possibl. What do you think? Thanking you in advance

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  • Hortum-cretaeHortum-cretae Posts: 979

    Holly will be happiest, but as a standard, expensive.  Classy, though, and a female clone, such as ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata' is a beautiful tree in fruit.  Euonymus? Which one do you have in mind?  Euonymus europaeus is our native one, often grown as a half standard, but of informal habit. Lovely autumn colour and pretty (mildly toxic) fruits in autumn. The cultivar 'Red Cascade' is the one you're likely to find.  Elaeagnus as a standard is not, to my mind, the most attractive subject.It's better grown as a shrub when it can flower freely, scenting the air for several yards around.  Clipped as a standard you'll get very few flowers.   

    H-C

  • LoganLogan Posts: 2,532

    I'd have holly, if you have a female and male you will have berries.image

  • noviceneedshelpnoviceneedshelp Posts: 66

    Thanks holly it is then! How do i know that im buying male or female plants? Id like to have the berries too

  • LoganLogan Posts: 2,532

    This is confusing,the female is called golden king and the male is golden queen.image

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,166

    and you need a male and a female.

    There are a few self fertile ones but not variegated as far as I know. 



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Hortum-cretaeHortum-cretae Posts: 979

    If you get a female cultivar, the pollinating insects will do the rest. They'll find the male to match up. 

    H-C

  • noviceneedshelpnoviceneedshelp Posts: 66

    Ok thank you, so i just need to get a female and insects will do everything else for me, have i got that right? 

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,166

    no, you need one of your plants to be male. The other two (or more) can be female for the berries



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Hortum-cretaeHortum-cretae Posts: 979

    Yep.

    Silver variegated females - ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata' and 'Handsworth New Silver'.  

    Golden variegated - ilex x altaclerensis 'Golden King' (yes, they erred when they named her!), and 'Belgica Aurea'.  

    Green leafed forms - ilex x altaclerensis 'Belgica', ilex aquifolium 'Alaska' and 'Bacciflava' (yellow fruited).  

    I like hollies!

    H-C 

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