Not trying to take over the thread, just an additional question: how fast does Laurus Nobilis (Bay tree) grow? I have one about waist hight in my garden in the south east, in a sunny protected corner of the garden. Anything I can do to speed up its growth, ie feeding, watering etc. And how fast can it reach 3m+?
I've got one @Big Blue Sky which, without special treatment is now about 4m high after about 8 years. If the location and soil suit, it will respond well. You could apply a thick mulch of organic matter around the base, avoiding touching the trunk to enhance water retention and it will also add some extra nutrients to the soil. Keep your plant well watered in dry spells. Their average growth rate is 10-20 cm a year.
Sounds good, thank you @Plantminded I am prepared to do all that, to make sure it grows as fast as possible. I think it is an amazing tree once it’s tall enough - evergreen, robust and as a bonus, bay leaves can be harvested for cooking.
I am looking for a bush or tree which is relatively fast growing, has flowers, possibly scented, to grow to a height of around 10ft for screening purposes. ===========================================
Have a look at Choisya Ternata, evergreen, white flowers in spring and autumn, scented.
Sorry Busy Lizzie. Choisya ternata.....is a super shrub. But incredibly slow to get going. It will take 10 - 20 years to get to max height . It never ever be a screening shrub 10ft tall.
Quote RHS...
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Mine was in SW France. It grew considerably taller than me, I'm 5' 3", 1.60m, I couldn't reach the top, but I suppose 10 feet is pretty tall. It also grew pretty quickly, certainly less than 10 -20 years.
OH has one in Norfolk which is at least 2ft above the 6ft fence. Both of them must be wider than that too.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
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I have one about waist hight in my garden in the south east, in a sunny protected corner of the garden. Anything I can do to speed up its growth, ie feeding, watering etc. And how fast can it reach 3m+?
OH has one in Norfolk which is at least 2ft above the 6ft fence. Both of them must be wider than that too.
Very much appreciated