Garden Help.

[Dale.]

I've been watering in the new plants and they seem to have caught, they all have new growth at the tops, not much but they are alive.

I am thinking now though, of something else to put in the gaps. I say gaps, in a year or two, there probably won't be any, so maybe now is the time to put something in.

I have noticed on dog walks, a garden at the top of our street has a red, tree/bush type thing. The colour is gorgeous. I have no idea what it is but I wouldn't mind a few. The nearest thing I have found online is Acer. Apparently, it's red all year. Would these make good hedge plants or am I better just leaving the current Laurel hedge develop alone and getting this red type tree for elsewhere in the garden?

Ta,

the current state of affairs.

 

[Dale.]

I have found it, I think, Japanese Maple, doesn't seem to be a hedge tree..

 

[Cobra]

I have found it, I think, Japanese Maple, doesn't seem to be a hedge tree..

No they aren't and they are ( mostly) deciduous too.
If you want something red, check out red robin they are ever greens.

Edit, Japanese maples are Acers, they make great Bonsai's

 

[Dale.]

No they aren't and they are ( mostly) deciduous too.
If you want something red, check out red robin they are ever greens.

Edit, Japanese maples are Acers, they make great Bonsai's

Cool, I might just get one, they are very nice.

So I could put Red Robin in the gaps, before they become non gaps?

ta.

 

[Cobra]

So I could put Red Robin in the gaps, before they become non gaps?

I see no reason why not.
Hedges are often made up of mixed species.
Just remember they are both very prolific once they get established, but that is going to be a couple of years down the line,
before your'll need a hedge trimmer.

Cool, I might just get one, they are very nice.

They are quite slow growing, but impressive, so many variants.

 

[Cobra]

My orange dream Acer, must be 10 years old, and about 30 ins high, but I do keep it trimmed.
And yes it goes orange in autumn before it drops its leaves.



And a Bonsai in waiting, its in the ground thickening up,
Its only a few inches high and no thicker than a small bamboo cane.
it'll be a couple of years before I dig it up and put it in a small bonsai pot.

 

[Dale.]

Just remember they are both very prolific once they get established, but that is going to be a couple of years down the line,
before your'll need a hedge trimmer.

I don't mind that too much as long as they don't get to like 50 feet. I have a cordless trimmer, I will keep them to just above the fence, so around 2m.

but impressive, so many variants.

Yes, the one in the street is gorgeous. I will try and get a pic, by stealth.

My orange dream Acer, must be 10 years old, and about 30 ins high, but I do keep it trimmed.
And yes it goes orange in autumn before it drops its leaves.

Sweet.

And a Bonsai in waiting, its in the ground thickening up,
Its only a few inches high and no thicker than a small bamboo cane.
it'll be a couple of years before I dig it up and put it in a small bonsai pot.

Cool.

Infact, the Acer in the street looks like a Bonsai, just a very big one, in Bonsai terms, about 4 feet tall with about the same spread. The leaves are a burgundy red colour.

 

[Nod]

My orange dream Acer, must be 10 years old, and about 30 ins high, but I do keep it trimmed.
And yes it goes orange in autumn before it drops its leaves.

View attachment 391126

And a Bonsai in waiting, its in the ground thickening up,
Its only a few inches high and no thicker than a small bamboo cane.
it'll be a couple of years before I dig it up and put it in a small bonsai pot.

View attachment 391127

Always good to keep your bush trimmed tidily.

Dale, I'd be tempted to leave just the Laurels for a year so they can get properly established without the competition that infill planting will introduce. To "pretty up" the gaps, maybe some annual bedding (Lobelia, Alyssum or the like) would do the job (and Alyssum smells gorgeous!)

 

[Cobra]

I don't mind that too much as long as they don't get to like 50 feet.

Laurels get really big, but just take the tips out when they are tall enough,
I keep mine at about 6 feet high enough to cover the end of the shed.

Dale, I'd be tempted to leave just the Laurels for a year so they can get properly established without the competition that infill planting will introduce. To "pretty up" the gaps, maybe some annual bedding (Lobelia, Alyssum or the like) would do the job (and Alyssum smells gorgeous!)

That's not a bad idea, actually.
But then again, as long as they are all roughly the same size, there is no more competition, than from the plant next to it.

 

[Dale.]

Thanks for the input, some ideas to go with.

I've been working on a bit at my hide today, I need to tidy that up, the hide has been neglected lately, once all the groundwork is done around it, I can paint it. Then I can look into some other shrubs and stuff but I think I will be getting an Acer of some kind for sure.

 

[Tigger.ufo]

Yes, the one in the street is gorgeous. I will try and get a pic, by stealth.

Infact, the Acer in the street looks like a Bonsai, just a very big one, in Bonsai terms, about 4 feet tall with about the same spread. The leaves are a burgundy red colour.

I have one of these

Acer palmatum 'Garnet' (Laceleaf Japanese Maple)

Noted for its outstanding color and vigor, award-winning Acer palmatum 'Garnet' is a medium-sized deciduous shrub with large, deeply cut, dissected leaves of great beauty. In spring, it produces small purple flowers which give way to red fruits. While attractive close up, the flowers are however...

www.gardenia.net

 

[Nod]

Acers can be a bit tender, especially the prettier, more ornate varieties. (Horticultural) fleece can be your friend but isn't the most attractive garden feature when wrapped around a low tree!!!

 

[Tringa]

Agree with Nod about leaving the cherry laurels for a while and that some Acers are a bit tender.

Looking at your photo I think the laurels will fill those gaps easily.

Dave

 

[Cobra]

Looking at your photo I think the laurels will fill those gaps easily.

I agree, it'll be a couple of years yet though,
I'd be tempted to put a few bedding plants in there, if you want something pretty,
the red Robins to fill the gaps, if you are an impatient sod like me

 

[Box Brownie]

IIRC a neighbour up the road planted a new mixed Laurel & Red Robin hedge about 5 years ago. and it is nice and dense, they clip to keep it about 3-4foot tall.

NB bear in mind if you cut it with power hedge clippers you will have cut leaves and some consider that unsightly.

 

[gman]

We have trellis put up and grow Sweet Peas each year that provides privacy during summer. They die in winter which is fine, because we aren't out in the garden needing privacy and the trellis itself privates some privacy.

Slates on the other side as mentioned would help, almost like a perpendicular ranch fence, which is what we have and it still allows the wind to blow through.

 

[Cobra]

We have trellis put up and grow Sweet Peas each year that provides privacy during summer.

I do something similar, but the seedlings are very slow getting going this year

 

[gman]

I do something similar, but the seedlings are very slow getting going this year

Aye we've noticed that as well! They have finally taken off now but going straight up and not attaching to the trellis yet. I'll leave that up to the wifey to sort! lol

I do love it when they are flowering though, it's a hive of activity with the bees!

 

[Cobra]

Aye we've noticed that as well!

I bought seeds months ago, started them indoors they are barley 3" tall, and shabby looking.
I also then bought some "large plus" to supplement them, recently, they are looking better but not big enough to be out on their own.

 

[Dale.]

very slow getting going this year

Seems that way with everything remotely naturish this year.

 

[Nod]

I do something similar, but the seedlings are very slow getting going this year

When I grow Sweet Peas from seed, I start them in Autumn and overwinter them in the conservatory. Gives 'em a good head start.

 

[Cobra]

When I grow Sweet Peas from seed, I start them in Autumn and overwinter them in the conservatory. Gives 'em a good head start.

Great plan, I just need to build a conservatory
I did the the same the other year and they were very much garden ready by now

 

[Nod]

A cool windowsill does just as well.

 

[gman]

When I grow Sweet Peas from seed, I start them in Autumn and overwinter them in the conservatory. Gives 'em a good head start.

I think my wife starts them in Jan or Feb indoors potted.

 

[Cobra]

A cool windowsill does just as well.

Actually, I have just the place, all I have to do is remember this several months down the line.

 

[simon ess]

A cool windowsill does just as well.

Here's a cool windowsill

 

[simon ess]

Is there a variety of those Acers that are best for pots?

I quite fancy one of those.

 

[Cobra]

Is there a variety of those Acers that are best for pots?

I quite fancy one of those.

They'll all grow in pots, there are loads of varieties to choose from.
I'm still working on this one (orange dream)..

 

[simon ess]

Cheers.

I'll have a look.

 

[Nod]

Actually, I have just the place, all I have to do is remember this several months down the line.

At least in the conservatory they get walked past relatively often! Our only cool windowsill is in a room that doesn't get a lot of use (hence unheated!) so things could get forgotten!

 

[Cobra]

At least in the conservatory they get walked past relatively often! Our only cool windowsill is in a room that doesn't get a lot of use (hence unheated!) so things could get forgotten!

The front room window sill only gets the late sun, and during the winter / early spring, that's not a lot.
It's plenty wide enough for a couple or so seed trays too

 

[Tigger.ufo]

Is there a variety of those Acers that are best for pots?

I quite fancy one of those.

Mine has been in it's pot for 5 years, this is my Japanese corner.

 

[Dale.]

We have 2 Rowans in our garden. One was here when we moved in and as it's right next to a boundary fence, I've always kept it in check. That has caused it to spread at the base (effectively coppicing) but it's not huge. The other Rowan is a cutting, I accidently broke the original Rowan, pushed the snapped branch into the ground, not expecting anything to come of it. It did though, it took.

Both trees are lovely things but the 'cutting' one has really put a spurt on this last few weeks, it is close to 12 feet now, with the top 3 feet of that happening just this summer.

How tall do they get and do I need to reign this one in too? It is more central in our garden, well away from any fences.

I'm not going to lie, trees worry me a bit when they get big, wouldn't want one blowing over and hitting a house. We do get some serious winds here.

Another question. We have 2 Cherry trees, again, lovely things. one is quite young, about 4 years and probably about 6 feet tall now. The other is older and bigger. I've noticed the leaves have started to crumple on both, and there are black flies on the underside of the leaves. Not all leaves are affected. I say flies but they could be aphids.

I'm thinking though, should I just tolerate them, as they seem to be part of the natural cycle in the garden. Our garden is kept tidy but it is geared to wildlife too. I don't really want to interfere with that balance.

Are these aphid type things a real problem or just an annoyance?

Ta.

 

[Cobra]

How tall do they get and do I need to reign this one in too?

The one over my back fence, is about 12 feet, its been there years, but I've no real
idea on the height TBH, but be aware if you aren't already, the berries are poisonous to dogs and young children ( and probably others)

Not all leaves are affected. I say flies but they could be aphids.

From what you have said, I'm pretty sure they are the culprits.

Are these aphid type things a real problem or just an annoyance?

They can kill soft bodied plants, climbers and the like, they suck the sap out of the stems.
They shouldn't really harm the tree too much, but they may cause a lot of the leaves to die. Which in the extreme may kill the tree eventually.

If you haven't seen this, it might be worth checking it out.

Pest control Au Natural

2 years ago, I was inundated with Aphids. I bought 100 ladybird larva, in that late spring, It didn't take long for them to get stuck in, and within a few months, no more Aphids. Last year, there were still plenty of ladybirds around, it looks like they hibernated behind the bamboo. But sadly...

www.talkphotography.co.uk

 

[Dale.]

The one over my back fence, is about 12 feet, its been there years, but I've no real
idea on the height TBH, but be aware if you aren't already, the berries are poisonous to dogs and young children ( and probably others)


From what you have said, I'm pretty sure they are the culprits.


They can kill soft bodied plants, climbers and the like, they suck the sap out of the stems.
They shouldn't really harm the tree too much, but they may cause a lot of the leaves to die. Which in the extreme may kill the tree eventually.

If you haven't seen this, it might be worth checking it out.

Pest control Au Natural

2 years ago, I was inundated with Aphids. I bought 100 ladybird larva, in that late spring, It didn't take long for them to get stuck in, and within a few months, no more Aphids. Last year, there were still plenty of ladybirds around, it looks like they hibernated behind the bamboo. But sadly...

www.talkphotography.co.uk

Cheers Chris,

I made an executive decision. Once the leaves drop off, I will cut the new growth from this year off the 'cutting' tree. I will keep it around the 10 feet mark. Things here seem to just amble along, then all of a sudden, the next time I look at them, they are half as big again. I've not cut the grass for almost 2 weeks, my dose of manflu put paid to that, the grass didn't seem to grow at all in that period, until this last 3 days, it's just shot up. Same thing with these 2 Rowans, they have shot up all of a sudden.

Thanks for the heads up on the berries.

I saw and read through your Ladybird thread a few days ago, very interesting. Is that a garden centre purchase?

 

[Cobra]

Is that a gardn centre purchase?

**Other suppliers are available**, I've used these a few times, for "green solutions"
They are quick and reasonably priced. Free shipping on most things too.

Nematodes and Natural, Biological and Organic Pest Control

Nematodes in stock NOW. Massive product range for amateur gardeners to experts. Over 93% of reviewers recommend us. Call 01493 750061 today!

www.greengardener.co.uk

 

[Dale.]

**Other suppliers are available**, I've used these a few times, for "green solutions"
They are quick and reasonably priced. Free shipping on most things too.

Nematodes and Natural, Biological and Organic Pest Control

Nematodes in stock NOW. Massive product range for amateur gardeners to experts. Over 93% of reviewers recommend us. Call 01493 750061 today!

www.greengardener.co.uk

That is fascinating.

 

[Cobra]

That is fascinating.

They have a whole host of goodies

 

[Nod]

Blackfly LOVES cherry trees - in fact, they're partial to all Prunus varieties! Other than encouraging/introducing predators (as Chris suggested), there's not an awful lot you can do about it. The curled over leaves at the tips of the twiggy branches aren't pretty but the trees should still flower OK (the flowers are around before the aphids can get their "teeth" into the fresh leaves.)

 

[Dale.]

but the trees should still flower OK

Yup, they did blossom and there are now quite a few cherries ripening.