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Things you don't grow but would if you had the space

thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
in Plants
Is there something you like but you don't grow because you don't think you can spare the space in your garden? If you see a plant mentioned and you wish to change people's minds as to why they should, please add your experience.

I'll go first and say that I've always liked bearded iris for their amazing coloured flowers but as it seems such a short display and they need such a valuable position in the garden, I've not grown them. I think I'm probably missing out but would rather keep that sunny spot for a long flowering salvia or similar.   
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  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I have space. What I don't have is the climate to be able to grow all the exotics I  love. Instead they go in a frost free greenhouse for winter, but I will never have a flowering jacaranda or an orchard of citrus trees.  They say travel broadens the mind, it just induces plant envy in me.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    thevictorian said:
    I'll go first and say that I've always liked bearded iris for their amazing coloured flowers but as it seems such a short display and they need such a valuable position in the garden   
    In Loseley House walled garden there is a deep mauve Wisteria on south-facing wall.  In the narrow space below there are deeper mauve bearded irises.  They flowewr together.  Takes up no space.
     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."
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    Fabulous trees @Obelixx
    In our old garden before we moved to this cottage I had a 25ft polytunnel and grew white and black grapes, a nectarine and a peach tree. All delicious. I miss the tunnel very much and would love another but no space in this small garden. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • puschkiniapuschkinia Posts: 229
    I have so many: 
    A Luma apiculata
    A multistem birch
    A grape vine over a pergola
    An amelanchier
    An olive tree
    A weeping willow 
    An oak tree

    ... you get the idea :lol:


  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    With enough drainage, Bearded irises can be grown successfully in pots sunk into the ground thevictorian. Once they’re over, easily lifted and relegated to a corner somewhere to make way for something else. 

    Mine would be trees for autumn colour. Space is not my issue either @fidgetbones but it’s mostly terraces that have been stripped of all topsoil in the making, leaving a thin, rocky layer of impenetrable clay subsoil lacking sufficient depth for planting trees. Pretty much everything else has to be grown in raised beds.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I was going to say a cedar too
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    Oh I nice big spreading cedar - with a bench underneath, that would be fab.
    Failing that - an orchard. With chickens. And time and energy to tend to it and them.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I'm quite partial to an avenue of massive London Planes too.  Perhaps the avenue could lead to the cedar and a lake with those plants that look like giant rhubarbs
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Years ago I was thinking of moving and looked at a beautiful cottage on a village green that had a tiny real ale pub just 50 yards away :)
    The cottage had a big garden with a good size copse at the end that was part of the garden - it was wonderful to just stand there amongst all those tall old trees - I've wanted a copse ever since.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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