Thanks pansyface and Dovefromabove, that's good to know. Am trying to work out whether I've actually got space for all of this as well. I definitely want the holly and that can get quite big. I also would like a Viburnum somewhere in the garden, and my mum got a cutting from my grandad's garden of a Weigela florida variegata which she wanted me to plant - she has also bought me a Magnolia Susan which is in a pot currently, so I need somewhere for that too! The Mahonia gets quite big too from the looks of it so it may be I can't make it fit.
I'm wondering if the Berberis darwinii might be a slightly more compact alternative? I have a feeling this is more spiky than the Mahonia, but I thought it'd be nice to have something next to the holly on the north facing side that could provide a potential nest/shelter area for birds. We also want climbers running along the fence line so I'm trying not too fill it with huge shrubs. I think we have about 7 x 6 foot fence panels that we plan to have climbers running along, but I want to plant a couple of evergreen shrubs here for the birds too. The main climber I'm planning on is Clematis Freda which has a lovely pink flower, and I think it's a relative of the Montana. I also plan to plant some honeysuckles too - probably the early and late Dutch varieties. Will these kind of climbers work well alongside the evergreens - obviously if their roots are clear of the shrubs?
I know a lot of people don't like it but I have a fair bit of ivy growing in my garden and the birds really love it. Because its old it has flowers and berries in the winter and attracts lots and lots of bees as it provides nectar late in the year. Mine grows up an old tree stump and is alive with birds all the time.
Not only is it the first small bird we've seen in the garden since we started our work, but we've never seen a single robin in the several years we've been here. We were very pleased, especially as we've not even reached the stage of planting up the flowerbeds yet. I think he was having a good look at the pond area though, and probably the flowerbed we'd been digging over today.
Also, I thought I'd update you on the shrubs I chose in the end. I've got:
I'm planning for the holly and pyracantha to be next to each other on the North facing side so that they can provide a potential nest and shelter area for the small birds. Then the cotoneaster will be on the pond side of the garden to provide some shelter over there too.
In addition, I've also got several honeysuckles which flower at different times, an evergreen jasmine, everlasting pea, and a couple of clematis - and a load of perennials and bulbs, and some wildflower seeds. Hopefully the garden will be full of life next year.
Hi, I have a love/hate relationship with Ivy. I love the flowers and berries and it takes on whole new meaning at Christmas when teamed with holly decorations but when I find trees dying because of its invasive grasp I am not so keen. Birds love it so I keep a 50/50 tolerance approach to it.
I'm not a fan of Rhododendrons, but the birds seem to find it adequate cover when I have feeders out - Sparrows mainly, but also Chaffinches, Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Robins - I think the Goldfinches though fly straight to the feeders without stopping in the Rhody. I don't think it offers much protection from cats though
I'm going to read this thread over a few times for ideas, because the Rhody has to go but I want to replace it with alternative cover....
Posts
And they're not as prickly as most holly
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks pansyface and Dovefromabove, that's good to know. Am trying to work out whether I've actually got space for all of this as well. I definitely want the holly and that can get quite big. I also would like a Viburnum somewhere in the garden, and my mum got a cutting from my grandad's garden of a Weigela florida variegata which she wanted me to plant - she has also bought me a Magnolia Susan which is in a pot currently, so I need somewhere for that too! The Mahonia gets quite big too from the looks of it so it may be I can't make it fit.
I'm wondering if the Berberis darwinii might be a slightly more compact alternative? I have a feeling this is more spiky than the Mahonia, but I thought it'd be nice to have something next to the holly on the north facing side that could provide a potential nest/shelter area for birds. We also want climbers running along the fence line so I'm trying not too fill it with huge shrubs. I think we have about 7 x 6 foot fence panels that we plan to have climbers running along, but I want to plant a couple of evergreen shrubs here for the birds too. The main climber I'm planning on is Clematis Freda which has a lovely pink flower, and I think it's a relative of the Montana. I also plan to plant some honeysuckles too - probably the early and late Dutch varieties. Will these kind of climbers work well alongside the evergreens - obviously if their roots are clear of the shrubs?
Lucid
I know a lot of people don't like it but I have a fair bit of ivy growing in my garden and the birds really love it. Because its old it has flowers and berries in the winter and attracts lots and lots of bees as it provides nectar late in the year. Mine grows up an old tree stump and is alive with birds all the time.
They drop leaflets pansyface? A sort of plant propaganda?
I like ivy and turn a blind eye
But all good for the compost heap.
Leaves and leaflets
Hi everyone,
We had a new visitor to the garden today:
Not only is it the first small bird we've seen in the garden since we started our work, but we've never seen a single robin in the several years we've been here. We were very pleased, especially as we've not even reached the stage of planting up the flowerbeds yet. I think he was having a good look at the pond area though, and probably the flowerbed we'd been digging over today.
Also, I thought I'd update you on the shrubs I chose in the end. I've got:
Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' (Red-Barked Dogwood)
Cotoneaster horizontalis (Cotoneaster)
Ilex aquifolium 'J.C.van Tol' (English Holly)
Pyracantha 'Orange Glow' (Orange Firethorn)
Viburnum × bodnantense 'Dawn' (Viburnum)
Weigela florida variegata (Weigela)
I'm planning for the holly and pyracantha to be next to each other on the North facing side so that they can provide a potential nest and shelter area for the small birds. Then the cotoneaster will be on the pond side of the garden to provide some shelter over there too.
In addition, I've also got several honeysuckles which flower at different times, an evergreen jasmine, everlasting pea, and a couple of clematis - and a load of perennials and bulbs, and some wildflower seeds. Hopefully the garden will be full of life next year.
Lucid
That's going to be great, especially with those climbers as well - just what the birds need. Glad to see your robin has signalled his approval
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Hi, I have a love/hate relationship with Ivy. I love the flowers and berries and it takes on whole new meaning at Christmas when teamed with holly decorations but when I find trees dying because of its invasive grasp I am not so keen. Birds love it so I keep a 50/50 tolerance approach to it.
I'm not a fan of Rhododendrons, but the birds seem to find it adequate cover when I have feeders out - Sparrows mainly, but also Chaffinches, Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Robins - I think the Goldfinches though fly straight to the feeders without stopping in the Rhody. I don't think it offers much protection from cats though
I'm going to read this thread over a few times for ideas, because the Rhody has to go but I want to replace it with alternative cover....