Specimen shrubs

[astersugar]

Hello! I have a new build garden and want to buy some plants for some instant impact. Everything I've seen at the garden centre looks tiny and I wondered if anyone's got any recommendations for suppliers of some bigger plants! Thank you.

I use Crocus, they are not cheap but are excellent quality.

Bigger plants are much more expensive, take a lot longer to establish and are more likely to die in a dry spell for a good couple of years. So it might be a false economy.

And don't be fooled by the pot size they are quoting on adverts, you need to look at the actual height of the plants.

Look on Facebook marketplace or gumtree for people looking rid of mature specimens. Ask around if anyone has something like a big phormium they'd be happy for you to take a chunk of-I split one in 3 at the start of last year & all 3 look great now.

Get a Robin photinia & grow a climber like vinca around an obelisk. We make our own & paint them. They add structure & quite quick height with climbers

buckeejit any chance you could share tips on making and painting your own? I tried it but mine is an eyesore against my climber :(

OP My tip is to look for clearance at the garden centres as usually they just need a little attention in the early weeks.

For obelisks, we've done quite a few, made out of wood. Best for sturdiness is a square at the top with measured out lengths down each side. So a squared off V, adding lengths down it, then screwing each side together & adding some more wood at the top. Hope this makes sense - will try to find some sort of pattern.

The smaller one here is 1.5m for roses & the big one in the back that dh is fixing is about 8ft for clematis

@Treeroo this link is similar but we've used more rectangle shaped wood-am sure there's a better name.

They are a pain to paint but easier if you paint the wood before cutting & then just have the ends to do

https://www.flowerpatchfarmhouse.com/easy-garden-obelisk/

Leycesteria Formosa is a quick growing shrub, it can put on a metre in a season. It starts by throwing up shoots from the bottom.
In the Autumn you have the choice, whether to cut back down almost to the ground or to lightly trim it.
If you cut it down it will shoot up long stems again, if you lightly trim it, it will take on more of a shrub appearance. They are very hardy.

Thank you buckeejit that’s really good of you I’m excited to try again now.