Replanning trees in border

[Maggiethecat]

I’m going to replan this border because the dying eucalyptus tree needs removal.

At the same time, I’ll remove a few other unwanted trees like the bay laurel (just discovered that’s what it was after buying bay leaves for years 😂). May keep the forsythia.

I like the idea of an amelanchier and possibly a cherry or apple tree.

Any suggestions for what could be nice in that space of this south facing garden.

You could just cut back the bay and turn it into more of a tree shape - so remove the lower branches.

I'd put in something like an amelanchier or a autumn flowering cherry - both quite light and airy. or a lovely hawthorn or crab apple - long seasons of interest.

@Gardenquestion22 - never thought of shaping that bay!

I suppose it has benefits as an evergreen but still don’t think I love it, sadly.

I love Japanese maples. Many different ones to choose from. Then plant something below it once it has some height - sarcoccra. ?spelling

I like acers too!

Lilac is beautiful.

The forsythia will tolerate being cut back really hard so that's going to fill one slot. Agree with amelanchier and acers.

How about a red hawthorn or a crab apple, or maybe a judas tree? There's also buddleia globosa, which has orange ball flowers, although that is more of a shrub.

Have you thought about putting a trellis up and having some climbers?

Never thought of lilac but will check
that out too!

I’m not really clear on what I’m keeping tbh.

There’s a part of me that thinks just take the whole lot out and start again!

I like the forsythia for spring interest (albeit quite short flowering period), so may keep, not very fond of the bay and the leaves have been eaten by something, the photonia is ok and is evergreen but could consider replacing.

The one thing definitely going is the eucalyptus so think the Amelanchier would be good to go in that space.

Will consider prunus or crab apple too.

I have put in honeysuckle on that fence closer to the house and would consider it on other parts if they’re going to be bare when trees removed.

@Maggiethecat I just so happen to have been to a garden centre since I posted earlier. What about a ceanothus? The other thing I could suggest would be a native tree/shrub called guelder rose, it's not a rose at all but a variety of viburnum. It has flowers in spring, red berries and fantastic autumn colour.

I'd get rid of the photinia, everybody and his dog has got one and there are so many other lovely things you could have instead.

Next door neighbour has a ceanothus in a similar position in their garden so likely to do well in mine too. A riot of colour for a few weeks and filled with bees.

Agree about the photonia, have 2 on the opposite fence and am not in love with them.

Viburnum sounds lovely too.

I’m terribly indecisive though, think I just need to decide to rid of the bay and Photinia and decide on the lovely other things I could have.

I put in a prunus and an eating apple on the other side last year and these are looking lovely already.

Variegated holly is evergreen with a rose in front of it.

It’s beautiful but only for about 2 weeks then nice leaves…ithink there are things that give a longer season of interest in a smallis garden.

The holly would be good as a source for my Xmas wreaths but not a favourite of mine.

Amelanchier almost certainly so need to see what works with that.

Like the sound of the hawthorn but not the thorns!

Will look at crabapple again.

Amalanchier is my favourite tree but the flowers are very short lived. It's a lovely tree. Much smaller than that eucalyptus though.

I'd be considering

Amalanchier
flowering cherry
magnolia - both evergreen and deciduous varieties
lilac
laburnum (although obviously the seeds are poisonous so some people don't like them)
robinia (has flowers which look like wisteria)
acers for beautiful colour.

Aah, so much choice!

Im trying to picture the shaped bay laurel 🤔

If I take out the photinia that frees up space to put something beside the Amelanchier (which replaces the eucalyptus) and leaves the bay for a bit of evergreen.

Does this sound sensible?

Oh I have an Acer and it is so beautiful. It's called a deshojo and the leaves start off deep pink and then lighten through a lovely red, then dark orange to green for the summer and then bright yellow in the autumn. They dont live strong sun, but if you have a dappled or shady spot I would strongly recommend. It gives me so much pleasure.

That is beautiful!

I think they quite like being in
pots.

Yes, they do seem to be pretty tolerant of pots, although they stay relatively small as a result. It's not a bad choice to start with, though, as they can be sensitive to strong sunlight and get leaf burn, which would be very sad if you planted it in the ground straight away. We moved this one twice before we got it right.

what is the rest of your garden like? Just be aware that if you take everything out it will take a few years for what you plant instead to fill out and you will be looking at a lot of fence for quite a while, also the bay isn’t screening anything unsightly for you is it?

I think I would either take out the photinia and forsythia and leave the bay, but shape it to expose some trunk and lower branches - or the other way round. But you’ll need to check carefully for nesting birds first at this time of year.

Personally I think it would be a travesty taking out anything but the eucalyptus. Everything else can be pruned and shaped and you still have room. Why would you remove beautiful established shrubs. They take many, many years to grow to a decent size.

I have been mulling over this and haven’t rushed back to the tree removal guy to confirm the job.

Trying to reimagine how I’d really like it vs saving shrubs and fitting in a couple of things I’d like.

I know, I do feel similar.

I also have a huge conifer at the front of the house being considered for removal. That’s right up against a brick wall though and there may be little choice in the matter.

So, not feeling great about removing all these things.

You have so many options, I will just stick my 2p in!

If I were you I would keep the bay but shape into a small tree and keep it smaller.

I personally am not a fan of photinia but it is an established shrub it would be a shame to see go. I imagine small birds enjoy your garden as it is for shelter.

However you could replace it with something with wildlife benefit.
Some species of rowan are either columnar or don't have a great ultimate size and have several benefits. Spring flowers, airy canopy, autumn berries (I like the pink like "pink pagoda").
Crabapple, hawthorn, or an edible fruit tree has many wildlife benefits throughout the seasons and can be kept smaller. Blossom and fruit.

Lilacs are lovely for scent and spring flowers and don't grow massive.

Also elderberry, different foliage colours, flowers and berries.