Would you consider Portuguese Laurel? I don't know how hardy it is or about exposed sites, but there a quite a few in fg's around here. Far nicer and better behaved than Cherry Laurel
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Would you consider Portuguese Laurel? I don't know how hardy it is or about exposed sites, but there a quite a few in fg's around here. Far nicer and better behaved than Cherry Laurel
Oh I had no idea, seems my research was lacking somewhat.
Yes have thought about Portuguese Laurel, we have some locally lovely height but very wide. Maybe I could contain the width somehow ..
Another option may be Lonicera nitida. Makes a nice thick hedge and can be trimmed to keep to the height you require.
Thank you I had never heard of this, it looks interesting, is it hardy? I would like to see it IRL somewhere.
You don't give your location but it is hardy here in the SW UK. Not sure what IRL means but there was a recent thread which mentioned it and showed some pics too. If you use the Search facility on here it should show up - I think the thread was titled " Buxus hedge died - advice please"
I'm actually in London but on an open to the elements site. I do very much like the look of Lonicera Baggesens Gold I think because I have already made mistakes I am being very cautious. I'm hoping third time lucky and I get a hedge to last a very long time
@Ditsy This should be a fairly simple request but as I am sure you know not so easy. You mentioned your Laurels many of which were badly blackened by frost and wind over winter too. All evergreens can be at risk in a winter like last year especially in the conditions you describe. The hope is that most recover but Hebes have been hard hit. We could have another winter like last year or it could be mild. So what to do? Sadly I am not sure there is an answer.
Totally in a different direction you could look at Calamagrostis Overdam. It will need to be cut back end of February when it will then regrow. In the winter it's straw coloured stems stand tall all winter. 1.2 to 1.5 in flower. Knoll Garden. web site for pics. Probably not what you want but worth a mention. Can be lifted and split to increase stock. Good for overwintering insects.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@Ditsy we are also in London. If you only want a 4ft hedge, which is quite small, I would recommend you choose a plant with small foliage. Portuguese Laurel/Photinia have too large leaves for a small hedge, in my opinion.
We have a couple of Lonicera Baggesen's Gold. They are quick growing, and tough as old boots. Never seen any Winter damage on them at all, and they have done well through the hot, drought Summer of 2022. They can be clipped to a really tight shape. Ours are on clay, south facing and baked by sun, on the edge of a terrace.
I prefer the green version, rather than Baggesens's Gold, but we inherited them when we moved here.
@GardenerSuze No the Laurels were fine but I realised they were going to get too big. It is the Griselinia that got really badly damaged and several died. As you say we might well have another winter like that so I don't want to risk it. Locally some that were over 4ft high and well established got so badly hit that they have had to be cut right back nearly to ground level.
Thank you for the suggestion but Calamagrostis Overdam isn't suitable.
Here are the Griselinia after winter one side not as bad as the other
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Would you consider Portuguese Laurel?
I don't know how hardy it is or about exposed sites, but there a quite a few in fg's around here.
Far nicer and better behaved than Cherry Laurel
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Yes have thought about Portuguese Laurel, we have some locally lovely height but very wide. Maybe I could contain the width somehow ..
You mentioned your Laurels many of which were badly blackened by frost and wind over winter too. All evergreens can be at risk in a winter like last year especially in the conditions you describe. The hope is that most recover but Hebes have been hard hit.
We could have another winter like last year or it could be mild. So what to do? Sadly I am not sure there is an answer.
Totally in a different direction you could look at Calamagrostis Overdam. It will need to be cut back end of February when it will then regrow. In the winter it's straw coloured stems stand tall all winter. 1.2 to 1.5 in flower. Knoll Garden. web site for pics.
Probably not what you want but worth a mention. Can be lifted and split to increase stock. Good for overwintering insects.
We have a couple of Lonicera Baggesen's Gold. They are quick growing, and tough as old boots. Never seen any Winter damage on them at all, and they have done well through the hot, drought Summer of 2022. They can be clipped to a really tight shape. Ours are on clay, south facing and baked by sun, on the edge of a terrace.
I prefer the green version, rather than Baggesens's Gold, but we inherited them when we moved here.
Thank you for the suggestion but Calamagrostis Overdam isn't suitable.
Here are the Griselinia after winter one side not as bad as the other