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Advice needed please

Katiewalton_81Katiewalton_81 Posts: 3
in Plants
Any advice on a type of shrub/ plant that can tolerate exposed areas, I'm looking to add some curb appeal and wanted an evergreen potted shrub or small tree, flowering if possible but can't get anything to stay alive. It's northfacing and gets all the elements with no shelter?

Posts

  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Can you supply any photos of the area in question, whether you live in a built up area - town, country or coastal.  What height would you want the plant to reach.
    Camelias are attractive evergreens with deep green glossy leaves and beautiful flowers but require some shelter for the flowers last. Bay trees too are evergreen with small flowers, both these shrubs can be pruned to give shape after flowering.
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    Have a look at the RHS site and put in exposed and/or north facing. It will come up with options for you. 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • InglezinhoInglezinho Posts: 568
    You don't say what part of the country you are from and this is important, but I had a lot of success with Hebes in a similar position. Another plant I would highly recommend is winter-flowering Jasmine - Jasmine nudiflorum, It is not scented like the summer-flowering varieties but has masses of yellow flowers and is very tough.
    Everyone likes butterflies. Nobody likes caterpillars.
  • Katiewalton_81Katiewalton_81 Posts: 3
    Thank you all.

    I live in the South East, country / Village location, very open across fields so we get very strong winds but due to the gravel and brick driveway, seems to be a suntrap in the summer too! I have space for something up to 4-6 ft high or alternatively enough space for a shorter bushier shrub. I love jasmine and camelias, hadn't thought about them.The bay tree I had didn't survive, I currently have small box plants but they also look like the are struggling!  The only plant that did do well was an asiatic lily but I had to move it when the winter weather started.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I have never had much success growing any plant to it’s full potential in a pot,  I tried a  Camelia but could see it was never going reach 6’ in a tub.
    The only things I do keep in big pots are Fuchsias but they are not evergreen. 
    As mentioned before, Hebes may be good, mine seem to thrive in rough ground, in the shade. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Katiewalton_81Katiewalton_81 Posts: 3
    Thanks Lyn, I have a few small Hebes but they seem to be very slow growing,  might need to buy a bigger one to get the impact I'd like!  
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