If they're in soil they would be ok, but not in compost for years with no additional help. No shrub will manage long term in compost alone. The ones I can see in barrels don't look alive. They should never be that defoliated. Highly unlikely to still be alive. Barrels are wooden, so they absorb moisture, and even if they're lined, if the plants haven't had sufficient water in dry weather when they've been healthy, rain doesn't get in easily because of the foliage canopy - even in areas with consistent, and plentiful rain.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If they're all rhodos and camellias, they certainly aren't all in suitable pots either. I can only see two barrels, and one camellia is in a small glazed pot - the label's on it.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Can I make a suggestion … to screen the wall, rather than have a row of shrubs running along it which, to my eye just draws attention to it, I would plant some small-ish deciduous trees in a group (not a row) some way in front of it to filter the view of the wall so that it fades into the background.
An amelanchier would be my first choice but there are plenty of others that would look lovely there.
😊
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Indeed @Dovefromabove . A set of posts and some climbers would do the job too. Pots are much more work, so either in the ground with plants, or a big, purpose built container made with sleepers, or similar, a foot or so in front of the wall, and depending on budget.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
So sad. What a waste of money. I agree with everything @Fairygirl, has said. That has been cruelty to plants over many months /year ....because of small pots and watering regime. Pics turned and trimmed a little.
Especially the blue pot in last pic below, is way to small for the shrub /tree growing in it.
Thanks all for the suggestions! I don’t think planting trees in the ground here is wise because of the proximity to the buildings, note it is also shady and there is a draft between houses there as well @dovefromabove. I like the idea of setting up a lattice for climbers, any suggestions for climbers ? @Fairygirl. @ailversurfer, the blue pot has a lavatera in it that we originally had in the ground but potted because neighbour didn’t want it so close to wall. It was doing okay until this winter even though we were not expecting much for that one.
Keeping super shrubs healthy in pots is a skilled task. Go away for 1 weeks holiday in summer with no water .... they are toast! Even if it rains heavily the water doesn't always get under the leaf canopy and into the soil in the pot!
There is nothing to stop you planting in front of the wall...maybe 1 m away to give the shrubs a chance. That would be my preferred suggestion.
Dove suggested Amelanchier...they are fab small trees.
Rhodo's are all very shallow rooted and would never disturb any foundations. But even planted in the ground they need watering..especially in the first few years. A deep mulch to protect the roots, and retain moisture is essential.
As the wall does not belong to you, then I would strongly advice avoiding any climbers. You would not legally be allowed to screw any support to the wall. Climbing plants are heavy.
I suggested a screen of posts for the climbers - with wires or a trellis screen etc, but in from the wall @Silver surfer, which avoids the problem.
However, it sounds as if the neighbours might be a bit odd about it all, if they're concerned about a Lavatera [which are no problem] so it would be worth bringing a screen well into your own garden @jrothwelluk, or just creating a stand alone bed/border with assorted planting in it, leaving a good gap between it and the garage, as S. Surfer suggests. The planting could also be smaller because the perspective changes it when it's closer. Shade is never a problem with plants either - whether it's shrubs, trees or perennials, so don't worry about that. Lavateras prefer sun but will take some shade, so you could easily use that. The amount of time you have to spend on it, the aspect, the soil type and your general climate are all factors in creating the bed though, so extra info will help with ideas.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I like the look of the amelanchia, thanks. I think it was the winter rather than drought that got them. I have put some more images below for location context.
View from back door View from back garden Angle view. as you can see I think we need to stay quite close for the wall to avoid blocking the back door.
Posts
The ones I can see in barrels don't look alive. They should never be that defoliated. Highly unlikely to still be alive.
Barrels are wooden, so they absorb moisture, and even if they're lined, if the plants haven't had sufficient water in dry weather when they've been healthy, rain doesn't get in easily because of the foliage canopy - even in areas with consistent, and plentiful rain.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Can I make a suggestion … to screen the wall, rather than have a row of shrubs running along it which, to my eye just draws attention to it, I would plant some small-ish deciduous trees in a group (not a row) some way in front of it to filter the view of the wall so that it fades into the background.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Pots are much more work, so either in the ground with plants, or a big, purpose built container made with sleepers, or similar, a foot or so in front of the wall, and depending on budget.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
What a waste of money.
I agree with everything @Fairygirl, has said.
That has been cruelty to plants over many months /year ....because of small pots and watering regime.
Pics turned and trimmed a little.
Especially the blue pot in last pic below, is way to small for the shrub /tree growing in it.
Keeping super shrubs healthy in pots is a skilled task.
Go away for 1 weeks holiday in summer with no water .... they are toast!
Even if it rains heavily the water doesn't always get under the leaf canopy and into the soil in the pot!
There is nothing to stop you planting in front of the wall...maybe 1 m away to give the shrubs a chance. That would be my preferred suggestion.
Dove suggested Amelanchier...they are fab small trees.
Rhodo's are all very shallow rooted and would never disturb any foundations.
But even planted in the ground they need watering..especially in the first few years.
A deep mulch to protect the roots, and retain moisture is essential.
As the wall does not belong to you, then I would strongly advice avoiding any climbers.
You would not legally be allowed to screw any support to the wall.
Climbing plants are heavy.
However, it sounds as if the neighbours might be a bit odd about it all, if they're concerned about a Lavatera [which are no problem] so it would be worth bringing a screen well into your own garden @jrothwelluk, or just creating a stand alone bed/border with assorted planting in it, leaving a good gap between it and the garage, as S. Surfer suggests. The planting could also be smaller because the perspective changes it when it's closer.
Shade is never a problem with plants either - whether it's shrubs, trees or perennials, so don't worry about that. Lavateras prefer sun but will take some shade, so you could easily use that. The amount of time you have to spend on it, the aspect, the soil type and your general climate are all factors in creating the bed though, so extra info will help with ideas.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
as you can see I think we need to stay quite close for the wall to avoid blocking the back door.