Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Help what can I plant

mitsedwards4mneOLTrmitsedwards4mneOLTr Posts: 1
in Problem solving
I have just had 11 laylandii trees removed from my back garden the stumps cannot be ground out due to access and damage to fences and electrics they are too close to both how ever I’m quite happy to leave them where they are plant round them and hopefully In time they will just rot away but what can I plant I want some tall things and some bushy things maybe even a small tree or two and I love colourful flowers thanks 

Posts

  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    The trouble is that conifers tend to inhibit the growth of other plants with chemicals secreted by their roots. So it’s not that simple I’m afraid. You may struggle to get many types of things to thrive there. But there is a helpful thread here from a few years ago: https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/4667/replanting-between-leylandii-stumps/p2
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I have never heard that @Cambridgerose12.
    The main problem is, that conifers remove all the goodness from the soil, which needs to be replaced before planting.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    It’s the acidity of the needles in fact, even more than the roots. Sadly Leylandii are toxic to people too, in all their parts. https://thelawnman.co.uk/growing-lawn-around-a-conifer-tree/
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    Great post @Cambridgerose12. Thanks for providing the link.

    I have never liked conifers and could not share Carol Klein’s enthusiasm when she was walking round Bressingham Gardens on GW two weeks ago.
    Rutland, England
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Very interesting, and makes me wonder whether a pine needle mulch around established plants might be a good weed suppressant
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Composted pine needles are often used as a mulch for acid loving plants, so clearly not toxic. I have used then on my Meconopsis.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Indeed @punkdoc 👍 if you Google ‘pine needle mulch’ you can find many proprietary brands on sale for use on flower beds ... it is not toxic to plants. 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





Sign In or Register to comment.