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Lilac removed,ideas for replanting please!
madpenguin
Posts: 2,543
in Plants
I have recently removed a lilac which was suckering everywhere, treated suckers and stump with stump killer and then dug out over a dustbinful of suckers from the whole bed. I cannot possibly move what is left of the lilac trunks so there is always the possibility of it regenerating. I will be treating the trunks with stump killer at regular intervals (cutting of a top section each time).
I now have a space to replant, thinking along the lines of a small run of suitable shrubs(nothing that is likely to sucker!!)
The 'tree' to the right is a Pittisporum 'Limelight'.
The bed is south facing and gets very hot and dry in the summer.
Any ideas as to what I could do or plant here.
I now have a space to replant, thinking along the lines of a small run of suitable shrubs(nothing that is likely to sucker!!)
The 'tree' to the right is a Pittisporum 'Limelight'.
The bed is south facing and gets very hot and dry in the summer.
Any ideas as to what I could do or plant here.
“Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
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Strong men have not been able to shift it so any planting will have to be done round it.The roots as far as possible have been cut back to the stump so I can dig a fair sized hole each side. The stumps do no 'wiggle' at all, it is like they are set in concrete!!
Choyisa white dazzler / goldfingers and others - Euphorbia charichas - Daphe odora / variegated - more pittosporum - Hydrangea some are more tolerant of drier conditions . Shrub rose planted with perennials .
I do think you are going to have to remove the stump to add shrubs to the space. perennials can be planted around the old lilac and possibly plant a herbaceous clematis to grow over the lilac stump .
What about a hawthorn trimmed as you would a hedge,good for wildlife etc?
The Isle of Wight does not seem to get the extreme cold,many things survived 'The Beast from the East'.The raised bed is not waterlogged in winter so maybe experiment with something more 'exotic'?
This could give me height but not too much width (fountain shape),good for butterflies,can be cut back hard.
Viburnum Opulus ? I don't garden for wildlife it a bonus if they like the plant as well . Can you not grow callistemon down there ? or Echium candicans .
That space is a bit restricted so the narrower form, Sambucus nigra Black Tower might suit (purple leaves) or the green leaved version Golden Tower. An Echium would give you an exotic element or an unusual Canna like Canna Tropicana Black.
You've also got a nice metal arch there, how about growing a Golden hop, Humulus lupulus Aureus, over it? It's quick growing, has attractive lime green leaves and bears hops which you can use for making another refreshing drink!