Best plant for an east facing site
Here's the info!
Lots of east sun all spring and summer, but in winter only an hour or so.
10ft high wall to the right.
Behind is a summerhouse (north facing).
Gets a little south sun/west fun from May-August when it can come high enough over the wall.
Slightly acid soil. Currently a bed that contains a camellia bush, some ferns and cyclamens.
Gets quite dry in that corner.
I was thinking that a large deciduous shrub like a philadelphus, which covers the (rather ugly) wall, could work, or does it need more sun in Autumn, early spring and winter?
I don't think there is full enough sun for a lemon or olive, which I'd really like!
It's in south of France so very hot in summer, but cold nights and wet in winter.
A Daphne?
Ideally something low-ish maintenance, as we're not always there to prune and pamper. Also something that won't grow out of control in that great climate, fir the same reason!
As winter sun is very limited, would deciduous be preferable to evergreen?
oh there used to be 3 large cypresses close by, recently cut down as were too large for the plot and were taking away lots of light.
Thank you
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And here is a dreadful photo taken by my mum, complete with thumb! Still, it gives a bit if an idea....
Any thoughts?
I know, I'm sorry! I'm not there at the moment, so can't take any others. There were some whopping cypresses in that space though, so there is the soil for a shrub or tree. Was thinking an acer may work well, only east sun and then protected from harsh summer sun as it's then mainly in the shade...
Looks very cramped and poor and unlikely to get enough natural water for a philadelphus.
I suggest you attach some battens and trellis to the wall and grow a colourful campsis. We have one here in almost no soil growing up the east side of an old well. When we arrived last October it had done a "triffid" all over the drive. This year we're training it to cover the old well which is stone but has been concreted over. Not a priority to sort it this year so we're hiding it.
There is some space - there were 3 cypresses growing there, after all.
The soil has been very much improved and is slightly acid.
We can't grow anything up the wall, particularly not if it's triffid like...because everything along that wall tends to shoot to the top and over to the neighbours, taking away light from their tiny patios.
Had honeysuckles and jasmines along that bit once, but it's too dark at the bottom, so they go upwards fast, in search of light, leaving our wall mainly covered in twigs!
We're only there 3 times a year or so, so it has to be a containable plant that doesn't need training, really.
Hence why I am a little stumped!
I think we will try an acer there.
Acers aren't very good with dry soils. Can you enrich it with plenty of moisture retentive compost and/or manure? Which parts of the year are you there? Is the house empty the rest of the year or do you need something that's good for other visitors to see and enjoy?
You could try a rose such as Falstaff which can be a shrub or a short climber that won't get to more than 2m or so. Rosa complicata might be OK too. Need dead heading tho.
There's a flowering almond that may suit and would give blossom in spring and foliage colour in autumn - https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/75793/i-Prunus-tenella-i-Fire-Hill/Details
Cotoneaster dielsianus would provide blossom and berries for extended interest - https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/4593/i-Cotoneaster-dielsianus-i/Details
Japanese quince? Eleagnus? Escallonia? Viburnum tinus?
Thank you Obelixx
I like the sound of the almond - does it get very large?
There is a gardena watering system there, so the soil never dries out.
The house is pretty much empty in between visits - someone usually there easter, sometimes February, the again in May/June and again in Se[tmeber/October. Never in summer and rarely in winter.
Thanks again.
The size should be on the link. I suggest you have a look at what's available in local nurseries next time you're there and ask about what can look after itself for most of the year.
There are many plants to fill that area. The border in the picture looks quite narrow. It's in a sheltered spot, and the area is very hot in the summer, Campsis of many kinds will look great against the wall. Same with Fremontodendron Californian Glory. Myrtle is also an option as a shrub or fan trained when young. What about a non woody plant? I think Tropaeolum Speciosum would look great as a second climber for the wall.