It's never as easy to plant a mature specimen of anything, so even though it seems counter productive, a 3 to 4 foot specimen of a laurel will establish over winter and spring, and will then start to thrive if, and that's the important word, if - it has good conditions and plenty of moisture to do that. It will depend what your soil is like and how good the condition of it is, but laurels likes moisture retentive soil which is reasonably fertile to start with. Once established, it'll cope on it's own. Just make sure the soil isn't compacted and solid, so add some compost or well rotted manure just now [you can get that in GCs or DIY stores ready bagged ] and mix it over a reasonable sized space - about a foot to 18 inches wide or so, and that will be beneficial. By autumn, it'll be fine for getting a laurel in. It [the soil] may well be fine as it is and will only need a bit of organic matter on planting the laurel, so have a look sometime soon. I usually add a sprinkle of BF&Bone when planting a new shrub or tree, but it isn't vital for laurel - it just gives it some slow release food to help it along initially. Laurels are naturally bushy [hence the use as hedging] and they get big in every direction but you can also remove lower branches to give a clearer trunk and more of a 'tree' shape.
Just be aware that if you also have a hawthorn and an ash to plant somewhere - they get pretty large too, and will soak up moisture, so take your time finding suitable sites when you plant them out. You can pot them on for a bit if they're still small, but they'd need planting before they get too big so that they can establish. I'm not sure you really have room for another two trees though. The hawthorn might be a good candidate for your neighbour blocking specimen though
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank you, @plant pauper ! @plant pauper ! As it happens, my partner planted a goat willow near the bottom of the garden a few months ago. A small one our neighbour gave us in a pot. 32" tall now, it seems to be taking. Into compost, some bone stuff later on. We have water butts and it has been well watered. She is the gardener as I say, and it seems to be growing and happy! Here's hoping it grows quickly and happily.
Thank you very much again for the information and advice, @Fairygirl . As I say, my partner is the gardener, and though she is of course of help to me, her having broken her leg on Saturday means she is busy resting and healing, and I don't want to keep pestering her with questions! Thank you so much.
I've just realised I shouldn't have put up that photo. If this gets back to her (and the man she lives with) it could anger her and end up with my cat or myself being endangered. How do I delete the photo? Thank you.
I wouldn't worry about it, she's unlikely to be a poster on this thread and won't see the pic. Anyway, your back garden is very similar to thousands around the country.
Hi, I think no matter what tree you choose, it’s going to take quite a few years to screen that upstairs window. (If there was ever a case for a leylandii….!)
I’d think about some of the ideas @Fairygirl outlined at the start of the thread to give you some privacy in the interim.
Assuming your security lights are pointing towards the house behind yours, is there any way you could lower the angle so that they are not blinding the woman at night? It might be one less thing for her to complain about and might even be the main reason for her hostility. (Apologies if this isn’t the case.)
I can't see any photograph posted here so can't judge where a tree/hedge may be needed. I really like the Hoheria Sexstylosa tree, ( evergreen) ,we had two in the garden but they grew very quickly in the space of 12 months. Ours is only a small garden and weren't appropriate but they were lovely, airy and swishy, lovely little white flowers in the summer and overall, a very good tree.
The OP was concerned about the neighbour possibly seeing the image and there being repercussions, so asked for it to be removed. I'd agree with @Lizzie27's comment though - they'd be unlikely to see it, but I can understand the feeling of that possibility and what could happen. It certainly won't be instant for any tree/shrub to be big enough - several years, which is why something further in from the boundary is easier.
I don't know if those Hoherias would be reliably hardy where @garnantgnomem-hV1o4v is. Wet cold is far more damaging than dry cold.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
It will depend what your soil is like and how good the condition of it is, but laurels likes moisture retentive soil which is reasonably fertile to start with. Once established, it'll cope on it's own. Just make sure the soil isn't compacted and solid, so add some compost or well rotted manure just now [you can get that in GCs or DIY stores ready bagged ] and mix it over a reasonable sized space - about a foot to 18 inches wide or so, and that will be beneficial. By autumn, it'll be fine for getting a laurel in. It [the soil] may well be fine as it is and will only need a bit of organic matter on planting the laurel, so have a look sometime soon.
I usually add a sprinkle of BF&Bone when planting a new shrub or tree, but it isn't vital for laurel - it just gives it some slow release food to help it along initially. Laurels are naturally bushy [hence the use as hedging] and they get big in every direction but you can also remove lower branches to give a clearer trunk and more of a 'tree' shape.
Just be aware that if you also have a hawthorn and an ash to plant somewhere - they get pretty large too, and will soak up moisture, so take your time finding suitable sites when you plant them out. You can pot them on for a bit if they're still small, but they'd need planting before they get too big so that they can establish. I'm not sure you really have room for another two trees though. The hawthorn might be a good candidate for your neighbour blocking specimen though
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
As it happens, my partner planted a goat willow near the bottom of the garden a few months ago. A small one our neighbour gave us in a pot. 32" tall now, it seems to be taking. Into compost, some bone stuff later on. We have water butts and it has been well watered. She is the gardener as I say, and it seems to be growing and happy! Here's hoping it grows quickly and happily.
Thank you very much again for the information and advice, @Fairygirl . As I say, my partner is the gardener, and though she is of course of help to me, her having broken her leg on Saturday means she is busy resting and healing, and I don't want to keep pestering her with questions! Thank you so much.
I’d think about some of the ideas @Fairygirl outlined at the start of the thread to give you some privacy in the interim.
Assuming your security lights are pointing towards the house behind yours, is there any way you could lower the angle so that they are not blinding the woman at night? It might be one less thing for her to complain about and might even be the main reason for her hostility. (Apologies if this isn’t the case.)
I really like the Hoheria Sexstylosa tree, ( evergreen) ,we had two in the garden but they grew very quickly in the space of 12 months. Ours is only a small garden and weren't appropriate but they were lovely, airy and swishy, lovely little white flowers in the summer and overall, a very good tree.
I'd agree with @Lizzie27's comment though - they'd be unlikely to see it, but I can understand the feeling of that possibility and what could happen.
It certainly won't be instant for any tree/shrub to be big enough - several years, which is why something further in from the boundary is easier.
I don't know if those Hoherias would be reliably hardy where @garnantgnomem-hV1o4v is. Wet cold is far more damaging than dry cold.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw'
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."