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Specimen shrub for exposed situation

valsinclairvalsinclair Posts: 4
in Plants
I'm looking for advice on a specimen shrub which would do well in an exposed situation, in clay soil; sun in the afternoon. At the moment I have a Pieris planted there which is not thriving. Any ideas gratefully received.
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  • valsinclairvalsinclair Posts: 4
    Thanks. Looks great.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Another you could have a look at is Eleagnus Silverleaf - the leaves shimmer in the wind and its smothered in very fragrant yellow flowers in the spring

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    Or weigela for early summer flowers. I've got a 'Bristol Ruby' in a very exposed windy spot. This was it at the beginning of June last year - only a year old so still a bit gangly.

    It's just a stick now though - depends what you need from it. I have a winter honeysuckle nearer the house so the lack of spectacle from the weigela isn't a problem for me at the moment 
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • valsinclairvalsinclair Posts: 4
    Thanks. Looks lovely
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    When I visualise a windy exposed position , one of the first species that springs to mind is Tamarix pentandra .
    Often seen in coastal areas , they are very wind-tolerant .
    There are quite a few different species and cultivars .
    Although being moderately halophytic (salt-tolerant) and thrive in sandy soil , they will grow happily in most normal garden soils .
    A large specimen can be a stunning sight .
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    An additional thought here , you mention the position is clay . If it isn't too waterlogged in the Winter there shouldn't be any major problems .
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    Paul B3 said:
    When I visualise a windy exposed position , one of the first species that springs to mind is Tamarix pentandra .
    Often seen in coastal areas , they are very wind-tolerant .
    They are wind tolerant but not very hardy, so ok for by-the-sea-windy, where the temps are generally more moderate in much of the UK, but not so reliable if you're up-a-hill-windy
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Take a look at Caragana aborescens. They are quite tough trees and there is a weeping  'Pendula' form too. This plant is a specimen in my opinion.
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    I don't know where valsinclair lives , but we have quite a few growing around here even on the fairly exposed E.coast of England .
    My father had one growing for years in a garden in Nottingham ; though in hindsight it was fairly sheltered from cold drying winds by surrounding vegetation .
  • valsinclairvalsinclair Posts: 4
    Thanks all for your suggestions. I live in the Greater London area so fairly mild
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