This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Drought/sun tolerant alternative to Schefflera Taiwaniana?
tiniestgarden
Posts: 23
in Plants
Hi there
I've lost my lovely large Schefflera Taiwaniana this year after a couple of pretty hot/dry summers and a couple of snowy spells last winter. I'm thinking about what I can replace it with that has a similar aesthetic but is better suited to my garden.
I have a very small garden (5x2m) and it is due South facing. I'm in London.
Because it is so small the garden doesn't really have any zones of shade and light, and it can have quite a fierce microclimate - it's often 1c hotter than the ambient temp outside in summer, and doesn't have a great breeze through it as it has a high fence on all sides. I have a mini greenhouse for seeds and so on but nothing I can transfer larger plants into for winter. I have two small borders but this plant would be in a container. You could think of it as being similar to a courtyard garden. In the summer I water my pots regularly in the evenings, but in the main I'm trying to move towards more drought tolerant plants to manage this dependency.
I'd love any suggestions for something that might be a good replacement. What I'm looking for is a plant with attractive foliage, somewhat tall (my old Schefflera was about 1.5m tall, but with a small footprint), ideally an interesting shape to the stems.
Thanks for any thoughts you might have!
I've lost my lovely large Schefflera Taiwaniana this year after a couple of pretty hot/dry summers and a couple of snowy spells last winter. I'm thinking about what I can replace it with that has a similar aesthetic but is better suited to my garden.
I have a very small garden (5x2m) and it is due South facing. I'm in London.
Because it is so small the garden doesn't really have any zones of shade and light, and it can have quite a fierce microclimate - it's often 1c hotter than the ambient temp outside in summer, and doesn't have a great breeze through it as it has a high fence on all sides. I have a mini greenhouse for seeds and so on but nothing I can transfer larger plants into for winter. I have two small borders but this plant would be in a container. You could think of it as being similar to a courtyard garden. In the summer I water my pots regularly in the evenings, but in the main I'm trying to move towards more drought tolerant plants to manage this dependency.
I'd love any suggestions for something that might be a good replacement. What I'm looking for is a plant with attractive foliage, somewhat tall (my old Schefflera was about 1.5m tall, but with a small footprint), ideally an interesting shape to the stems.
Thanks for any thoughts you might have!
0
Posts
As an alternative, how about fatsia polycarpa or firmiana simplex? Both have interesting foliage and an upright habit.
INSTAGRAM/ YOUTUBE
Fatsia polycarpa and Firmiana simplex are excellent suggestions for your small, south-facing garden. Both of these plants have interesting foliage and an upright habit, making them suitable replacements for your lost Schefflera Taiwaniana. Here's a bit more information on each of them:
Fatsia polycarpa (Japanese Aralia): Fatsia polycarpa is a shade-tolerant plant known for its large, glossy, palmate leaves. It can adapt to various light conditions, including part shade, and is well-suited for a small garden. It also produces unique clusters of white flowers in late autumn, adding a touch of elegance to your garden.
Firmiana simplex (Chinese Parasol Tree): Firmiana simplex is an attractive and distinctive tree with large, hand-shaped leaves. It's known for its interesting umbrella-like foliage. While it can be grown in full sun, it's adaptable and can also thrive in partial shade. It's a conversation-starting addition to a garden due to its unique appearance.
Both of these plants should do well in your garden's microclimate, given their adaptability to different light conditions. Make sure to prepare suitable containers and well-draining soil to ensure their success in a container garden. These alternatives offer aesthetic appeal and will likely thrive in your small London garden.