I think many of us do that @Plantminded. We have 'favourites' which we use in our gardens, and if we've had more than one garden, we repeat them in each new one, assuming conditions are similar etc. I certainly do, and sometimes it's a case of trial and error with plants to see what works, and experimenting now and again, although I don't do it with expensive plants now, just the odd perennial or annual. I'm at the stage of being too mean, so only using stuff I know will suit.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Some beautiful griselina on this thread. I’ve just planted some bare root ones and the tops are flopping a bit. Is that normal or do they need more watering?
@Messynessy I'd attach a cane to them while their roots are establishing to keep them upright. Keep an eye on watering too. If they are top heavy you could trim off a couple of inches now. If you want to post a photo I'll have a look and say what I would do.
When we got planning permission for the house here, the local planning authority (Cork county council in the south of Ireland) specified that the landscaping was not to include Leylandii or Griselinia which are widely planted as evergreen hedge plants in the county already. I think the directions are down to the lack of benefits to our local wildlife from the Griselinia which is native to New Zealand. It also can be killed by very hard frost and my parents hedge of Griselinia was almost completely killed by a couple of severe winters about 15years ago. I personally don't really like it as a hedge but I have seen ones left to grow into trees and they look much more interesting than a tightly trimmed wall of the pale green colour. It does respond well to trimming so I can see why it is used for evergreen hedges but I think there are some more interesting options.
@robairdmacraignil I understand Griselinias are a weed in your area, rather like Rhododendron ponticum is for us, but in case you're not aware - hoping this might console you a little - the variety 'Bantry Bay' was found at Ilnacullen garden, Garinish Island, Glengarriff, which is Co. Cork, so at least it originates from your area, if you like..
The variety 'Dixon's Cream' which is very similar and difficult to tell apart, originates from NZ though..
..this is 'Bantry Bay' in my garden.. it has a more lustrous colour than 'variegata'.. both are slightly tender and damaged by frosts in Spring.
@robairdmacraignil I understand Griselinias are a weed in your area, rather like Rhododendron ponticum is for us, but in case you're not aware - hoping this might console you a little - the variety 'Bantry Bay' was found at Ilnacullen garden, Garinish Island, Glengarriff, which is Co. Cork, so at least it originates from your area, if you like..
The variety 'Dixon's Cream' which is very similar and difficult to tell apart, originates from NZ though..
..this is 'Bantry Bay' in my garden.. it has a more lustrous colour than 'variegata'.. both are slightly tender and damaged by frosts in Spring.
Interesting that there was a variety of the griselinia selected for further propagation in west Cork but I'd imagine it was still derived from planting stock that was originally imported from New Zealand so it is unlikely to be any more beneficial to wildlife which I think is the problem with the plant being over used rather than it spreading like a weed. We also have issues with Rhododendron here.
@Plantminded thank you, I think I will start a new thread if it’s still flopping after the good soaking I gave it this afternoon. Apologies for derailing this one! I’m a bit sad to hear that it’s not popular with wildlife. It’s in place of a fence so I guess it’s still better than that.
Different plants for different people and for different places! Griselinia littoralis has an RHS award of garden merit which is the result of rigorous trialling and panel assessment, so it is an important accolade, justifying the plant's popularity:
The plant does bear flowers and berries which attract wildlife, although they are not the most significant features. The dense foliage also offers shelter for birds and small mammals.
If it has been overplanted though, I can understand the desire to redress the balance by encouraging the planting of native species that have more significant flowers and fruit, but banning a plant that isn't invasive or poisonous seems a bit harsh to me!
@robairdmacraignil ..yes of course they are just 'sports' from the original NZ plant. I was being a little tongue in cheek but thought at least there is a local connection.. It's very popular in Cornwall too, it's everywhere you go down there.. I like the foliage very much..
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I certainly do, and sometimes it's a case of trial and error with plants to see what works, and experimenting now and again, although I don't do it with expensive plants now, just the odd perennial or annual.
I'm at the stage of being too mean, so only using stuff I know will suit.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I understand Griselinias are a weed in your area, rather like Rhododendron ponticum is for us, but in case you're not aware - hoping this might console you a little - the variety 'Bantry Bay' was found at Ilnacullen garden, Garinish Island, Glengarriff, which is Co. Cork, so at least it originates from your area, if you like..
The variety 'Dixon's Cream' which is very similar and difficult to tell apart, originates from NZ though..
..this is 'Bantry Bay' in my garden.. it has a more lustrous colour than 'variegata'.. both are slightly tender and damaged by frosts in Spring.
Interesting that there was a variety of the griselinia selected for further propagation in west Cork but I'd imagine it was still derived from planting stock that was originally imported from New Zealand so it is unlikely to be any more beneficial to wildlife which I think is the problem with the plant being over used rather than it spreading like a weed. We also have issues with Rhododendron here.
See RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) plant, fruit & veg award winners / RHS Gardening.
The plant does bear flowers and berries which attract wildlife, although they are not the most significant features. The dense foliage also offers shelter for birds and small mammals.
If it has been overplanted though, I can understand the desire to redress the balance by encouraging the planting of native species that have more significant flowers and fruit, but banning a plant that isn't invasive or poisonous seems a bit harsh to me!
..yes of course they are just 'sports' from the original NZ plant. I was being a little tongue in cheek but thought at least there is a local connection.. It's very popular in Cornwall too, it's everywhere you go down there.. I like the foliage very much..