skip to main content

Tree Help! Prunus Serrula?

3 years ago

Hello! We’re thinking of a planting a multi stem Prunus serrula in our medium sized new build garden in the UK. We were thinking of ordering 2 but perhaps the second tree should be different to help with biodiversity. Any suggestions for a second tree?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

Sonia
3 years ago
They are beautiful trees but I think it depends on the size of your garden. You say medium size but measurements will help. Just that Prunus serrula’s grow to 10m high x 10m wide so pretty big. Sorbus (Rowan) is a nice companion if you have the room. They have white flowers in spring followed by berries in the autumn that the birds love. However, it too grows to about 10m.
Carolina
3 years ago
Amelanchier? I love mine, gorgeous when in flower, the birds love the berries and it has a lovely autumn colour

Here's a list of trees that you might like: https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/20-trees-for-small-gardens/
Related Discussions
garden experts/botanists... help?
Q
Comments (19)
Nice work so far, now for the fun stuff- the planting makes or breaks a project like this. A good garden designer will challenge your ideas and explore the alternatives with you to find the right solution so here goes! It's important to remember that you will be looking out at this view from the windows most of the time so THAT's the most important view. You say south facing, I guess the windows are south facing so anything against that brick wall should not filter out more light and block the view unless you want a more intimate feeling in that space. It's vital to consider the purpose of the planting along the brick wall. I'd ask you why you want trees there? The wall is attractive but do you need more screening from your neighbours? One way to add screening is to add a top trellis with cllmbers - you control EXACTLY the height and have no issues with the wall being damaged to the tree becoming too large. The requirements for planting can then be fulfilled by filling the border with structural shrubs and a good variety of shade tolerant perennials. Let us know what you do in the end and have fun with it! - Stephen R
...See More
Triangular back garden design help
Q
Comments (26)
I agree with Bespoke Interiors Redbridge UK, definitely put in full height fences, not trees. If the neighbours are problematic (sounds like they're related to mine), the fences will be a safer option than trees that shed leaves/fruit which they might take issue with. Fences also take up less room in a small garden. My garden is only 3m wide, and I have full height fences on both sides. You can paint them or whitewash them if light is an issue, though I have left mine to silver naturally (I just like the look). Get the kids involved in gardening and put raised beds in front of the fences: I am training berry plants up the fences, so they will be green and leafy once the (currently 18 inch tall) plants grow in. Sunflowers are also great to grow along fences and there are plenty of climbing or tall edible plants like sweet peas, maize and tomatoes that are easy for kids to look after (and snack on!). Be careful of getting any evergreen hedges. I have a school one side and have had to ask them to really cut back their leylandii hedge, which has been horribly neglected for years, and it's now getting close to 3.5m tall (guidelines say no more than 2m). It's expensive to cut them back if they have been neglected, so you may be setting yourself up for a big bill down the line.
...See More
Blank Canvas, need some help with garden design and path
Q
Comments (7)
Hi JC. I think the layout of the path will be quite important as well as deciding which plants to have. It looks like there is a lot of footfall on the lawn next to the patio so I think any path needs to start from here. Had you thought what material you’d like the path to be made out of? The size of the borders will depend on what plants you’d like to have, shrubs and trees will most likely need more space and can encroach on your lawn space. The suggestions above are all good tho and most of them are very hardy and tolerant of most soils. For privacy on the right fence I might go fo one main shrub, perhaps a Lilac and a tallish evergreen. If you get young specimens they’ll adapt to the soil better. In the meantime you could attach some trellis to the fence and grow some climbers such as the clematis Montana, honey suckle or star jasmine. I think the way to pick a planting plan is not to rush it but start with your star attractions first, the larger plants, shrubs or trees, look them up and find out their eventual height and spread. Then the rest you can fill in with the smaller things, like the perennials and bulbs. Be sure to check what conditions each plant likes, sun/shade etc. I bought this plant yesterday at a plant fair, Sambucas nigra ‘black lace’. It can grow very large but can be hacked back quite vigorously with little effect and is very hardy. Good job really as my garden isn’t huge and it’s staying in a container:-) Good luck with your garden, it’s a lovely space.
...See More
garden design ... confused! help needed please :)
Q
Comments (4)
Hi Emma Yes - I see what you mean. I think one of the main reasons the garden doesn't work is that it is very open and empty. This means that you see all of it in one go. There is no story, or journeys, focal points or mystery within it. When you sit on your new patio you see an ugly trampoline and fence and a large (if magnificent) Wendy House. The plain area of lawn also shows up how the patio takes up half the depth of the garden - again making the scale feel wrong and the 'green garden area' look small. I think what you need to do is break up the space somewhat and put planting going across into the middle - runninig along the edge of the patio. People often worry that this will make the space feel smaller, but in fact because it means you can't see everything at once the space feels larger and more interesting. The planting coming across into the more central areas of the garden then also acts as screening for the ugly features. Other suggestions would be to turn the Wendy house through 90 degrees, so it is less directly looking at you, deep planting beds around the edges and coming into the more central garden space and lots of climbers on the fences. As regards being over looked - conifers are really horrible screening trees. They get very big and are very solid dark green, so feel very oppressive. A more open canopy deciduous tree with say spring blossom and good autumn foliage colour would be much better. Flowering cherry Prunus Okame is a good example. Your neighbours would likely love it. Finally can I suggest that you watch 'Your Garden Made Perfect' on BBC I-player. It is different to the normal garden programmes in that is discusses the design concepts behind the garden improvements. All of them are great, but you may find the 1st and 2nd ones particularly useful on views, focal points and structure. Good luck!
...See More

Sponsored

More Discussions

should I paint the tiles white?

23

Help reconfiguring the downstairs of my house

12

plaster ceiling roses - to do or not to do?

5

Living room colour scheme - please help!

11

Can I fit a Dishwasher in this space?

3

United Kingdom

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.