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Narrow shrubs for entrance area (holly?)

TheGardenerFromMarsTheGardenerFromMars Posts: 65
in Plants
I'm looking for a shrub to go in a small corner next to the steps of a basement flat. The corner is at the bottom of the steps and the plant won't get any direct sunlight until it reaches about 1.5-2m in height. It's north facing and the area where the plant would be located would be bright in the early evening - nothing above it casting shade, but no direct sunlight until it reaches 1.5-2m high. It can't be allowed to spread more than about 50cm, and can grow about 3m tall.

I was thinking of Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata' - do you think it would tolerate being pruned to these dimensions or should I go with a smaller holly variety? And happy to hear of other suggestions other than holly. Ideally an evergreen plant so that there's something to look at in the winter. It will be the only plant in that area and is in a prominent place by the fron door, so I want it to look nice (and preferably have some value to wildlife - which is why I was thinking of holly).

Thanks!

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Posts

  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
     Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata' is a super holly,  but I do not think that it is right for such as tiny place...will have a think.

    Maybe a sculpture that doesn't need pruning would be better. super 
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    see above also.

    Holly.....do you want to be scratched every time you /your friends/delivery people come to the door?


    Cupressus sempervirens 'Green Pencil'..might fit .

    https://www.google.com/search?q=Cupressus+sempervirens+'Green+Pencil'&client=firefox-b-d&hl=en&sxsrf=ALiCzsb1c13WSkNuzy7X1aALEpq7o4CEXQ:1660313521251&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjcjpntvcH5AhU98rsIHfhsCF4Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1280&bih=595&dpr=1.5
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    https://www.numonday.com/product/garden-sculpture-tower-2/
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    The area you describe does not sound suitable for any living, growing subject. Lack of light, air and water. A statue would temp not very nice people to help themselves. As a basement area it suggests being in a town or city location. I assume whatever you chose would have to live in a container needing regular care and attention which may not appeal to whoever lived in the basement.
    The only plant which could possibly survive might be a potted bay tree, these can be seen all over cities on doorsteps etc. I have no idea how long they manage to live but bay is tough, probably not as pretty as you seem to want. I would just keep the area clean and tidy, just sweeping up the detritus which will inevitably blow down into it.
    You could try a container of annuals which would need to be replaced each year and possibly more than once, depending on which plants you used
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    What about something like this planted up with hardy ferns?

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134192499158?hash=item1f3e7f09d6:g:1YgAAOSwdWxi7pjz

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





  • ChezNousChezNous Posts: 40
    It is quite a challenging space and my first thought was a standard evergreen shrub that could be about 1.5 - 2m tall in total and kept to the 50cm width by pruning? My salix standards seems happiest in shade though they are deciduous. My second thought is a small camellia that you would need to prune to keep within the space. I've got one called Spring Festival in the darkest corner against the house and conservatory and it is a treasure! Gorgeous evergreen leaves and the prettiest pink flowers in Spring. It is probably the easiest plant in my entire garden!
    Best of luck!
    Late to gardening .... @cheznousgarden
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I have an Italian cypress in a tall thin pot in a tiny corner behind an iron gate. It's now about 6-7 ft tall, mostly in shade, gets rather neglected but seems to survive.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited August 2022
    @TheGardenerFromMars Not as tall as you want with an eventual height of one metre, Euonymous Green Pillar.
    In my garden is survives in a corner with very little sun. You would be taking some risk as every plant needs light to photosynthesize and grow.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    Have you a blank wall.
    Maybe you could do this...

    https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/626726775/delectable-garden-12-pocket-outdoor
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    You could consider Fatsia japonica and growing it as a single stemmed plant.  One of the variegated varieties like Spider’s Web will bring lightness to your space.  All varieties have glossy leaves, also reflecting light.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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