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Shrubs outgrowing space

Kai_63Kai_63 Posts: 81

As a novice (clueless!) gardener I planted a Choisya ternata and an hypercium. I allowed them each around 1m to 1.5m to grow in but they are stil growing into each other. It's possible that I didn't leave enough space for the Choisya which I think could get to 2.5m spread I think. At some point, will they suffer from being so close together? Apart from a lot of pruning, am I likely to have any other issues?

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    Luckily, both can be pruned as and when they need it without real detriment.  You might lose a few flowers but both will quickly grow new shoots.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,455

    I quite like shrubs growing into each other, it suggests lushness.  How long do you plan to be in this house?

  • batwood14batwood14 Posts: 193

    They are both thuggish plants and can tolerate serious hacking back and they will still grow with vengeance. It depends on how big your garden is as to how much space you allow them to grow. I would not want them in a small garden is all I can say.image 

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 83,740

    Personally I wouldnt call them thuggish - They're just plants with the potential to reach a decent size without too much TLC - 'good do-ers ' is what I'd call them. Easy enough to control with the secateurs. 

    image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • autumngloryautumnglory Posts: 255

    I agree with dove, they are easy plants to keep reasonably small.

  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,455

    I would see if you do have problems first and if you do, then decide which you like better (for me it would be the choisya) and remove the other one. 

    This would leave you a space that you can choose a replacement to fit.  Have you seen these: http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/berberis-thunbergii-f-atropurpurea-helmond-pillar/classid.315/

    If your Choisya is Sundance then this would look stunning but then that's my personal preferences coming through.

    Hope this helps put another perspective forward.

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