Acers (assuming you mean Japanese maples, not something huge like sycamore or field maple) tend to be quite wide compared to the height, so make sure you plant with enough room for the expected spread. I think they look better growing in their natural shape than pruned to fit in a too-narrow space.
Yes japanese maple, it would be in a corner raised bed about 8ft at its widest. I don't want to prune it but try and get it to grow leaning over my plot if that makes sense.
Maybe try to choose one that's already growing into the kind of shape you want? Of course that might mean waiting until nurseries and garden centres reopen so you can choose in person, but it's probably worth waiting to get a good plant as it's likely to be quite expensive. An alternative would be to pick up a cheap young plant if you see them in the supermarket and grow it on yourself, but they are pretty slow growers.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
This is my acer, a bargain for a whole £1.00 bought 18 months ago. It sat in its small pot under a bush as recommended by the seller for the 1st six months and then potted on into a larger pot last spring. I put it into its current container in September and as you can see its doing quite well. I did have one which I planted in a border previously, but it was too hot and windy and it died..In a pot it's quite easy to move if it doesn't like the place its in.
This is my acer, a bargain for a whole £1.00 bought 18 months ago. It sat in its small pot under a bush as recommended by the seller for the 1st six months and then potted on into a larger pot last spring. I put it into its current container in September and as you can see its doing quite well. I did have one which I planted in a border previously, but it was too hot and windy and it died..In a pot it's quite easy to move if it doesn't like the place its in.
Can I ask how much it has grown in those 18 months, I may pick a few up to put in pots as they are stunning at all stages.
It was just a stick about 8/10 inches tall when I bought it . It came from a market stall and she was just getting rid of the remaining stock in about October. To be honest I wasn't sure if it would survive in its little 3"pot but at that price it was worth a try. The other one that died was a bit more than that but still not very expensive. I rather suspect that the more expensive varieties are more difficult to grow which would explain why they cost more. It is about 30" now
It was just a stick about 8/10 inches tall when I bought it . It came from a market stall and she was just getting rid of the remaining stock in about October. To be honest I wasn't sure if it would survive in its little 3"pot but at that price it was worth a try. The other one that died was a bit more than that but still not very expensive. I rather suspect that the more expensive varieties are more difficult to grow which would explain why they cost more. It is about 30" now
Thats fantastic, what is your long term plans for it, pots or a, designated area?
Thebigeasy said: I'm looking for tall grasses that dont spread, any ideas?
I've got some molinea caerulea aka purple moor grass. Max spread 0.5m in between 2-5 years. Very upright in habit. I bought it in Autumn, cut it down this spring and now it's throwing up some lovely fresh green growth. Not particularly tall though, max height between 0.5m and 1m.
With regards to japanese maples, they are very slow growing so don't expect to buy a small one and have it fill your space quickly. It takes 20 years to get to full height.
Also, excellent choice on the heuchera. Fast becoming one of my favourites. I wish they were bigger so I could see them better!
Thanks I will look into those grasses, don't know much about plants or gardening but something just stands it with the heuchera, just love the big foliage I suppose.
Finally got my Sleepers delivered late yesterday afternoon and a back breaking shift today putting some in and aerating the soil with compost and some of the sandy soil I dug out for the new turf, chuffed with the outcome so far, raspberries and red currants getting planted tomorrow.
I have some vinca major in the front garden, any idea if they would grow over the front of the Sleepers if I moved some?
Vinca Major is a bit of a beast... I'd say leave at the front as it will go everywhere in your tidy new bed. Of course you could keep trimming it so it doesn't get the chance to throw any long stems.
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Maybe try to choose one that's already growing into the kind of shape you want? Of course that might mean waiting until nurseries and garden centres reopen so you can choose in person, but it's probably worth waiting to get a good plant as it's likely to be quite expensive. An alternative would be to pick up a cheap young plant if you see them in the supermarket and grow it on yourself, but they are pretty slow growers.
I did have one which I planted in a border previously, but it was too hot and windy and it died..In a pot it's quite easy to move if it doesn't like the place its in.
It is about 30" now
Finally got my Sleepers delivered late yesterday afternoon and a back breaking shift today putting some in and aerating the soil with compost and some of the sandy soil I dug out for the new turf, chuffed with the outcome so far, raspberries and red currants getting planted tomorrow.
I have some vinca major in the front garden, any idea if they would grow over the front of the Sleepers if I moved some?
Vinca Major is a bit of a beast... I'd say leave at the front as it will go everywhere in your tidy new bed. Of course you could keep trimming it so it doesn't get the chance to throw any long stems.
Looking for something to break up the bare bits in between hence looking at the vinca, any suggestions?