Hello. I would be interested in opinions on hedge plant selection. It is, as always, a lot of work and money so it would be great to get it right the first time! I live on Saltspring - inland and quite high up ( really at the base of a mountain.) The soil is shale mixed with thin reddish sand - fabulous drainage - no water retention. Of course I will be improving the soil within the planting trench (? unless someone convinces me that will just encourage shallow rooting and soft sappy water- demanding behaviour) The site is about 35 feet long and my idea is to enclose my yard and make a courtyard.( of crushed black shale - which we have lots of- and may be later hard paving) The main reason is to cut the wind. It comes from all directions and in the spring and winter it blow the leaves of the rhodos to pieces. We get lots of sun and rain and snow. Mediterranean type plants do very well close by. Cistus,lavender, thyme, santolina and ceanothus thrive here. I would like to maintain this hedge at somewhere between 4 and 6 feet and once established I would like it to not need excessive water- because water here is expensive - but I could run a dribble line under it. At the other end of this area I will need to put in a hedge in similar circumstances but the height will have to be no more than 3 - 3 1/2 feet. Here are some of the ones I am considering: hornbeam - like I saw in Britain but wonder about the clean up when they finally shed all those dry leaves. Laurel - which ones?? yew ceanothus - are there any regular sized enough viburnum tinus - too leggy?? For the smaller hedge: Chamaecyparris pisifera - smaller golden ones Looking forward to your opinions Jenny
Jenny some of your plant picks may be intolerant of reduced water/drought, V. tinus comes to mind. I would think laurels would be water hogs, but they do seem to survive here untended... The ceanothus is a natural where you are, perfect drainage and all. Maybe somebody can suggest the best variety for your hedge, I've only grown the thyrsifolius "Victoria", which wants to grow pretty tall...but looks like it could be sheared into submission. I would also throw in arbutus unedo, I've seen it as a very nice hedge in Richmond. Unclipped would look nicer, but it will handle shearing from what I saw. Another one that "Banana Joe" over on your island has mentioned is grevillea victorea. There are some nice old ones at UBC that are never harmed by the cold, winter flowers, evergreen, and Joe says the many plants on Saltspring do fine with no supplemental water. I think your local nurseries would tend to have this plant, tho it is pretty hard to find on the mainland. Just remember to never fertilize it with phosphorus. Glen
Glen - just to let you know that the Grevillea 'Victoria' in the Alpine Garden was removed - for being too successful! I think the decision was that the area could be used more effectively for a number of smaller plants. That being said, it's a great suggestion (in my unexpert opinion on matters horticultural) - that plant was problem-free, not messy, very full, and a bee attractant.
