It ’s in the depths of wintertime , when the malarky ululate in from the east , that I ’m prompt of the value of good evergreen tree and shrubs . They provide shelter from the gale ( and for the fowl ) as well as supply valued social organisation and attractive glossy leafage throughout the year . Yet many gardeners do n’t venture far beyond the traditional choices of boxful , holly , yew , laurel , Eleagnusand holm oak . I ’d have light into the same category a few years ago , before I was introduced to a quatern of really exceptional evergreen . These would more than clear their keep in any garden , but are specially robust for coastal site .
First on my list of recommendation isLaurus nobilis‘Angustifolia’,the narrow - leaved true laurel , visualize above . This is the Darcey Bussell of the grouping , an graceful tree with a fine , willow tree - like appearance . Compared to normal embayment , the leaves are narrow , longer and a fresher putting green . The leaves can be used in preparation although the berries , which appear unmistakably like mordant olives , can not be corrode . Unfortunately the tree does not grow true from seed ; I ’ve try it and terminate up with lots of bog - standard bays , so it needs to be purchase from a specialist nursery . Narrow - leaved Laurus nobilis will grow to about 4 m. Ours , after 6 years , must be about 2.5 m tall and mould a neat , goodish cone without any passementerie . If it is clipped or train into a standard it can mold a really attractive , stringent shape .
The only problems we ’ve had are with scale insects , which count like small bran - bit with cotton woolen around the edge . These unpleasant bugs can induce the foliage to falsify , so ask to be removed with warm soapy water as presently as potential .
Next up isPhillyrea latifolia , the fleeceable olive . This is a superb short tree , compendious and course curvy – the Nigella Lawson of the group . It ’s no admiration it ’s popular in Nipponese style garden , where it can be nip off to exaggerate the cloud - same outline of the tree . Like the narrow - leaved bay , Phillyreais very drought resistant once shew and tolerant of salty gales , so ideal for seaside gardens like ours . It was at its most popular back in the 1900 ’s , when it was often planted as a specimen in churchyards . Ours is lead off to get a little prominent than I ’d like , blocking out the former morning sun across the English Channel , but I do n’t have the heart to give it the chopper . The leaves are so grim they can almost appear black against a dazzling blue summer sky .
In a different league altogether is the preposterously namedLyonothamnus floribundus asplenifolius . A phytologist somewhere was having a jape , or a drink , when he come up with that one . The Santa Cruz ironwood , as it ’s more normally known , is a reasonably libertine growing , slender tree , from the coastal areas of California . After six years it ’s approaching 15 ft improbable , but the canopy is no more than 6 ft across . The pretty , fern - like foliage is only surpassed by the beautiful cinnamon - slanted barque , which discase off in perforated strips throughout the yr . If left on the trunk it can part to resemble a very shaggy Red Setter . If we ever had a raging summertime , we could expect the leaves to transude a pleasant marshmallow fragrance and even look forward to some flowers .
The flowers have the looks of anAchilleaorSpireaand are apparently produced in copious amount . Perhaps one day our tree will surprise us like ourHolboellia , but for now I ’ve schnorr this image from a blog calledTrees of Santa Cruz County , which expect like a rattling resource for anyone need to eff more about the tree of California . The only downside to this is tree diagram is that it exuviate its onetime , yellow parting in the tiptop of the summertime , which can look unsightly for a week or two .
Last but not least we go from grandiloquent and skinnyLyonothamnusto curt and squatPittosporum tobira‘Nanum ’ . This versatile , salt - resistant shrub is tolerant of wraith and our chalky ground . Situated in a gay position it will produce clusters of fragrant white heyday , but in shade the foliage becomes larger and shiny , so it ’s a succeeder either fashion . Once establishedPittosporumtobirabecomes very drought tolerant so everlasting for dryer sites and containers . Despite being a midget cast , in our garden it grows pretty fast , tip attractively over the slating walls of our raised mete . It does n’t beware a trim , but I do come up the branch rather brittle , so trample carefully around your plants if you desire to avert snapping pieces off . The only other vexation is black aphids , which can distort newly emerging foliage .
What these trees and shrubs lack in flowers and floridity they make up for in style and build , providing the perfect background for more vulnerable and showy plant . Go greenish and give them a go !
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Categories : bother , Plants , Practical Advice , Small Gardens , Trees and Shrubs
Posted by The Frustrated Gardener
