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easiest-evergreens-and-perennials-to-maintain-
Can someone spare a few moments to advise, in their experience, the easiest evergreen plants/shrubs to grow and perennial plants? I have 2 pyracanthas in pots I am looking after for her (given as a gift) and guess they will need to be planted in a sunny spot?? Do they need to be supported?
Also need to fill a border approx 8ft x 2ft. Prefereably hardy plants that require very little maintenance at all!! No height restriction. My neighbour is not a keen gardener plus has little time to spend in the garden.
I have a few ideas but my knowledge is limited. Would welcome advise from experienced gardeners. Maybe a bit of a tough ask as maybe quite a few plants to choose from but any advice would be appreciated. Thank you very much.
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Hi blackcap. Pyracanthas like a bit of sun but they will also take shade. I had one in a shady little corner at a previous house, facing north east and it was perfectly happy. They're best grown as hedging or against walls and fences so if you can give them that type of location it would be better. They don't need support as such though. As you've not mentioned aspect or soil type for your border, I'll suggest a couple of things that survive well almost anywhere -Berberis and Euonymous. There are various Berberis varieties -the green ones are evergreen and prickly and have yellow or orangey flowers in spring with berries later (similar to the Pyracanthas) The purple ones are deciduous but same flowers etc. You can clip them to size if you want- some get big as they're often used for hedging. Euonymous are mainly grown for foliage- small variegated green/gold or green/cream foliage, and will grow as a 'bush' or, if put against a wall or fence, will act like a little climber. Both are easy to acquire and grow, and trouble free normally.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Not exactly evergreen but ever interesting.
cornus alba sibirica variegata
Beautiful red stems in winter, crisp white and green variegated leaves the rest of the time. Dainty white flowers followed by white berries. Maintenance....once a year in March/April cut it to the ground.....thats it
Thanks very much Fairygirl and Addict. Gosh, you are both so knowledgeable. Like the sound of those plants. Will get down to the garden centre.
If there's a shady patch, Mahonia aquifolium is reliable, and has lovely yellow sweet smelling flowers in the winter - something that usually impresses non-gardeners http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=1232
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Oops something happened there.
Aah but Verdun- you didn't read the post properly- blackcap already has the two pyracanthas and was asking where to put them- and having read your reply I think I know your answer! I was merely answering the question you cheeky monkey
And are your hollies always funny?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Verd - I like the idea of comical hollies
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
There are loads of perennial geraniums that are very easy. Just cut them down when they've flowered and they will either flower again or if autumn is near they will pop up again next spring. Most aren't evergreen though but I thought you meant evergreen for shrubs. Lavender is pretty easy if it's sunny.
I agree with Verdun about pyracanthas. Nasty prickly things. Even though the birds do like them.