I think my abelia is the Grandiflora @GardenerSuze, perhaps you could confirm or otherwise please. To confirm what @Nollie says, this one puts up with total neglect in a slightly raised bed. It performs very nicely by the side of the berberis.
@Uff It does look the same as what I believe to be A grandifolia growing in the garden nearby. The leaves have a reddish tinge later in the year but maybe others do as well. I am hoping that @Nollie may confirm. If some are more hardy than others I think I will go for the most hardy. Years ago it would not survive in my garden now I think it is well worth a try. Thank you.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Derbyshire/Notts is warmer than up here and this one has been fine for the last 7 years. The leaves do go a slightly reddish tinge over winter so perhaps this is the Grandiflora.
I’m afraid I don’t know for sure since I only have the one type that I inherited! I think they may all take on a reddish tinge. I’m increasingly inclined to think mine are the straight Grandiflora since they grow much bigger than the general height guide for prostrata even that given for warmer climes. It’s very winter hardy and almost evergreen despite my mountain climate with it’s torrential downpours and regular winter freezes/temps down to -8c. My horrible clay soil does dry out in daytime winter sun though, so my instinct is to say avoid planting in really wet, boggy ground.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
40 years ago, I planted a Quercis rubra. I noticed, too late, that it had developed a narrow crotch which started to split.
It cost me £700 to cut down and log from what is probably the cheapest reliable local tree surgeon. Winter 2021. I disposed of the branches and wood myself, so no extra cost, but a lot of my time and effort. It could have been up to £2000.
Ps
location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
We are having a very strong virginia creeper strong colour year here in London, given the intense sun we have had this summer. Interesting to see a long black fence on my street, part in shade, part full sun. The sunny stretch is very much redder, vibrant than the rest. Very noticable. I've not see the colours this strong before in the UK. Almost neon in parts; almost going pink. Thick with berries.
I am Shropshire, so neither N nor S. Not hard hit by drought so I am hoping for good autumn colour. So far Acers, Cornus and Prunus doing well. Plus brave show from some late flowering clematis. Sorry, I know the photos will come out sideways.
Fabulous Fire. I'm off up to the Highlands tomorrow. I specifically booked the holiday to hopefully coincide with the autumn colours and the cottage that I'm staying at is surrounded by oaks, birch and aspens. I'm also hoping for a few good sessions of fungi foraging too.
@Uff Enjoy! Say Hi to my bro he is up there somewhere running a photo course! Not that easy to time a holiday to coincide with autumn colours. Hopefully you have got it just right. @Nollie I am going for A grandiflora thanks for your help . Suze
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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I am hoping that @Nollie may confirm. If some are more hardy than others I think I will go for the most hardy. Years ago it would not survive in my garden now I think it is well worth a try. Thank you.
It cost me £700 to cut down and log from what is probably the cheapest reliable local tree surgeon. Winter 2021. I disposed of the branches and wood myself, so no extra cost, but a lot of my time and effort. It could have been up to £2000.
Ps
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Good gracious, quite a shock @bede both in terms of losing the tree and the cost of dealing with it.
I'm off up to the Highlands tomorrow. I specifically booked the holiday to hopefully coincide with the autumn colours and the cottage that I'm staying at is surrounded by oaks, birch and aspens. I'm also hoping for a few good sessions of fungi foraging too.
@Nollie I am going for A grandiflora thanks for your help . Suze