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Which shrub to choose
i have a 3 storey high bank that has been retained with 3 stepped levels of retaining concrete walls and sleeper wall. To break it up a bit I was thinking of planting some evergreen shrubs. I don't want the shrubs to grow too large and get out of hand, so they need to be no higher than about 5ft tall. I'm also a big nature lover, so need them to be good for insects and other wildlife. Access is also limited as they will be high up. It is a south facing bank, quite dry soil and in sun for most of the day. I am also within a mile of the sea, so can get some strong winds containing some salt. I am thinking of either Escallonia 'pink elle' or Skimmia Japonica 'rubella'. Which would be most suitable or can you suggest anything else? Thanks.
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Skimmia prefers moist soil, and also quite likes shade. Also some online sites advise they prefer some acidity so with all the concrete it may not be the best (someone on here somewhere said concrete leaches lime out into the soil?).
I'd think the escallonia would be a better option which really prefers lots of sun.
I remember Escallonia growing wild on top of the dunes on the beach we went to when I was a child, so it is also salt tolerant!
And what about a weeping broom like Cytisus scopiarus 'Golden Cascade' to trail over those concrete walls and break them up a bit, as well as keeping the bees very happy and perfume your whole garden.
http://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/plants.cfm?pn_id=206
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Helianthemum would be nice trailing down the concrete walls too or a floppy clematis. Also the prostrate rosemary. It sounds hot and dry so you want to look at plants tolerant of these conditions.
Some great suggestions, thank you all very much.