Fast growing shrubs and trees

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 15, 3 September 1985, Page 18

Fast growing shrubs and trees

Last week I talked of the need for shelter in our gardens and protection for some of the less robust plants that we would like to grow. Having put in the background, one of the things we look for are fast growing small trees and shrubs that will fill the spaces to combat ourcommonenemy — wind. An interesting and colourful background can be created which will not only serve the purpose, but will also be a very pleasing backdrop to enhance the appearance of the remainder of the garden. One of the small trees J which are well worth including in this group is Acacia Pravissima a small fast growing evergreen with an interesting leaf form covered in the early spring with its sprays of golden flower. It flowers a little later than most of the wattles and is quite striking when in bloom. The hybrid Buddleia is another fast growing shrub. Not entirely deciduous in winter they retain some of their leaves and give a lovely display of flowers in early summer. Two well worth inclusion are Buddleia Davidii Royal Red with it's long racaemes of purple red flowers, and the delicate Pink Pearl. These will grow to about eight feet in height and make a good fill in. Escallonia, another quite . fast growing evergreen shrub which does not ask too much of life will also help to fill the gaps. 'Apple Blossom' and 'Field's Scar-

let' are two good varieties with a good show of flower. Intersperse your flowering shrubs with shrubs which show good leaf colour all the year round. Some of the conifers will fill the bill here. There are so many lovely conifers with varying leaf form, colour, and shape that you cannot fail to find a number that will suit your requirements. I would hesitate to name a favourite among this vast array but to name two that we have in our own garden and which always capture attention are Chamaecyparis Lawsoniana 'Chingi', with lovely green and gold foliage, pyramidal in shape, which grows to about ten feet in height. A really striking shrub and Chamaecyparis Pisifera 'Boulevard' with its lovely blue feathery foliage. fhen I must mention the Juniperis Chinensis Kaizuka, with its unusual corkscrew habit and brilliant rich green foliage. A real talking point this one. No shrubbery would be complete without the inclusion of some of our lovely native shrubs and plants. For a small tree try Hoheria Populnea Alba Variegata the 'Lacebark'. This is a graceful little tree with green and cream foliage. Grows better with a little shelter. Everyone's favourite is the lovely 'Kowhai' Sophora Tetraptera which grows to three-and-a-half to four metres and has the lovely large flowers that are such a favourite of the Tui. If a smaller variety is required try Sophora microphylla with its very fine foliage and abundance of tiny perfect flowers. Pittosporum are always popular with their evergreen pretty foliage. Be careful of Crassifolium which can be tender up here, but Tenufolium varieties 'James Stirling', 'Irene Paterson' are growing quite happily in our garden. A warm sheltered position is best and most

varieties will benefit from clipping into shape now and again. Leptospernum the flowering 'Manukas' are a worthwhile addition to your shrubbery. There are some lovely varieties to be had now. 'Crimson Glory' with large crimson flowers and red foliage, flowers in the spring. 'Fascination' candy pink flowers with frilly petals. Pink Pearl, pink in the bud form opening to white, and 'Winter Cheer' a lovely damask red. Lophomyrtus 'Kathryn' is another lovely shrub. An attractive crinkled purple brown leaf which is most - attractive all the year round. These prefer moist soil conditions and seems to enjoy a more shady place. Ours grows well by the back door where it is protected from the heat of the afternoon sun and receives plenty of water. When I change the water in the animals drinking bowls every day I usually tip it out on 'Kathryn' and she seems to approve of the treatment.

Corokia varieties seem to stand the drier conditions .well. Varieties 'Bronze King' and 'Bronze Knight'are two very outstanding specimens with their coppery foliage and a mass of yellow daisylike flowers in the spring. Scenecio Greyii with its quite striking silvery grey foliage will give a nice variation of colour. It has masses of yellow daisy-like flowers in summer. Thrives in a sunny dry position. Podocarpus Lawrencii the Mountain Plum Pine, is another quite low-growing native which is surviving quite happily down in the back border with very little attention provided, we clear it of grass and weeds now and again. Its narrow pinnate leaves are a rich green all the year round. Makes a lovely background to the anemones which grow in front of it and the petunias I like to have there in the summer. Then there are the Hebes, but we'll talk about those

next week.

Bea

Barnes