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Which trees/large shrubs for a smaller garden

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  • zugeniezugenie Posts: 831
    @Plantminded I think a minimum of 2m, the shrub there at the moment is maybe 3m, so we’ll say 2-4m tall, width wise something that could be trimmed to keep it from encroaching on the future patio would be handy. Probably 2m again but happy with the occasional trim!

    Evergreen or semi evergreen would be good, to provide winter cover for the birds
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I missed your query about hawthorn @zugenie - apologies.
    I think most would be a bit big - the native one certainly would be. The cultivated ones might be smaller. They'd take a while to get sizeable though, and can be pruned, but you have to remember they're a bit jaggy  ;)

    Not evergreen either, but Cotinus or some of the ornamental, dark Sambucus [Elder] might also suit quite well.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Arbutus unedo, the Strawberry tree might suit.  It's evergreen, can easily be pruned into a multi-stemmed shrub or left as a single stem, and would meet those dimensions.  It has small white flowers which develop into strawberry-like fruit - blackbirds love them!  The bark is also an attractive colour.

    If deciduous is still a consideration, I agree with @Fairygirl that Cotinus would be a good option.  I've had a Cotinus Grace for a couple of months now and am amazed at the almost luminescent quality of the leaves - glimpses of red, orange and green as the sun hits it.  I'd find a space for that too!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I need a garden the size of the last one I had, for all the trees I'd like @Plantminded :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I know what you mean @Fairygirl, I keep thinking I've got space for more - then reality hits!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I know what you mean @Fairygirl, I keep thinking I've got space for more - then reality hits!
     :D 
    I can't help myself propagating the plants I have, even though I really don't have anywhere to put them! My sister's friend lives in Lochgilphead [west coast-ish of Argyll]  and has a large area of bank that always needs plants, so I can always offload them on her  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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