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Gardening

Ideas please

(4 Posts)
Azalea99 Sun 26-Jul-26 19:43:14

It’s taken me years to change the border under my oak tree from a mass of sloes and brambles. Currently the taller shrubs include a couple of rhododendrons, a camelia and a couple of variegated hollies. Colour apart from them comes largely from heucharas ( although I’m noticing that the lighter ones hate this heat). However I’d like a few mid height evergreen shrubs for winter interest. Don’t want any more rhodos, can’t have berberis as I mustn’t get scratched, and already use euonymus quite a lot throughout the garden. Another problem - I looked a Iberis ice punk and realised that I don’t want a mound-forming plant I want something spikier. I’ll try to attach a picture to give an overall idea but with things like the geraniums almost dead it looks messier than usual. Thanks in advance - you’ve been a great help when I’ve asked before!

TheHappyGardener Mon 27-Jul-26 14:14:58

Hi there, I might not be much use because I’m not a huge fan of spikey plants or shrubs but a few of my current (non-spikey!) favourites are Eleagnus Ebbingei (evergreen and beautifully scented small white flowers in Autumn), Pittosporum (several kinds but most variegated and evergreen, although Tom Thumb is dark leaved) and Abelia Grandiflora (the leaves seem to glow bronze in sun). A good evergreen ‘do-er’ that IS spiky though is Osmanthus Aquifolium. Hope some of these appeal!

OldFrill Mon 27-Jul-26 16:34:46

Look at Mahonia Soft Caress, apparently smooth and soft (I've only grown the prickly ones)

Azalea99 Mon 27-Jul-26 17:32:14

Thank you @ OldFrill - I actually have one in that border. It’s lovely.
@ TheHappyGardenet - SOLD! The Osmanthus Aquifolium Tricolour will be perfect. I’ve had one in a pot on the patio for a couple of years now, so can picture it in the border already. I think I’ll start with three ………. 🤷‍♀️
Thanks, both of you.