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Overcrowded shrubs in raised beds

emily1990.ehm8-AbwrDemily1990.ehm8-AbwrD Posts: 8
in Problem solving
Hi there

I'm very new (but overly enthusiastic) to gardening. We had raised beds added two years ago, and in my haste, excitement and lack of knowledge we purchased too many small shrubs for the space. They have obviously increased dramatically in size and my initial oversight means that they are now all crowded in and just look silly.

My question is, can I move some them to the front of the house to create more space? And if so, how and when is best? There's a European fan palm hidden amongst the bushes and a hydrangea I don't want to damage in our efforts/inexperience.

Any advice hugely appreciated (I will absolutely research my decisions more carefully next time/use some common sense!!)

I've included a few pictures. The ones I'm interested in moving are the heavenly bamboo, maybe the fushchia, and maybe the Laurustinus

Thanks so much
Emily

Overcrowded shrubs in raised beds 6 votes

Move them
16%
zugenie 1 vote
Leave them
33%
Eustacemikeymustard 2 votes
Trim them
33%
EmptyheadtimeWallflowerBry 2 votes
Take them out and cut your losses
0%
Other
16%
Suesyn 1 vote

Posts

  • mikeymustardmikeymustard Posts: 495
    Leave them
    Apart from needing a good haircut they look fine to me (i don't like seeing soil) 🙂
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Hello Emily  :)

    Rather than answer your poll, l will answer your question, as it's difficult to give a general reply.
    Re the heavenly bamboo (Nandina),  l have moved these at various times of the year, but make sure you keep an eye on the watering.
    Nandinas like full sun, (whereas hydrangea prefers more shade) so it depends on what your front garden is like.
    If you can keep an eye on it, make sure it is kept watered (that is give a good watering can full each time and then when the soil starts to dry out, water again). Obviously if we get a hot summer then more water will be required. 
    I would say if you can get it moved by the end of this month it's worth taking the risk, otherwise l would wait until Autumn. 
    Make sure that you dig a hole  that is more than big enough before you move the shrub,  it's easier to fill in a hole than faff around digging a bigger one, as the less time they are out of the ground the better. Also make sure you get as much of the rootball out as possible.

    Sorry l can't help re the others, but l hope this helps.
  • emily1990.ehm8-AbwrDemily1990.ehm8-AbwrD Posts: 8
    Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me. That's useful advice, and our front garden is full sun 🌞 Have a lovely day
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Do you know if the roots are filling the raised bed? My thoughts would also be to prune. I cannot see from your photo exactly what you have but I would prune them anyway. They do look healthy but this will restrict the root growth. Moving them now and planting in the ground could be a problem if we have a lot of warm dry weather, leaving them with nothing to grow in is another problem. So lots of water.
    You might be able to root prune and add fresh compost but that will depend on exactly what you are growing.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • emily1990.ehm8-AbwrDemily1990.ehm8-AbwrD Posts: 8
    Thanks for replying :) I'll be honest I've no idea about the roots, I'm still learning about gardening - how would I know?
    I wasn't sure if it was the wrong time of year to prune, but if that's an option I'm definitely keen to do it! They need a haircut!!
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @emily1990.ehm8-AbwrD If you want to check the roots, take a trowel, gently push it down at the very edge of the raised bed if you hit roots your plants will have little to grow in. You could repeat this in various places along the edge.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @emily1990.ehm8-AbwrD If you would like to post some close ups of the ones you don't know, you will get some pruning advice.
    Sometimes you just have to go ahead and cut something back. However if you know what iyour plants are you will be able to prune at the correct time and not miss out on flowers.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • emily1990.ehm8-AbwrDemily1990.ehm8-AbwrD Posts: 8
    Fantastic, thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge I'm very grateful
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @emily1990.ehm8-AbwrD You are more than welcome. Enjoy your garden lots of advice here if you need it.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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