Serving you since 1993 Problem Plants
It’s too big! We are often contacted to deal with clearance work and problem plants. Problem plants - with the exception of a couple of plants - don’t exist. What really exists is the fact that the wrong plant, shrub or tree has been planted in the wrong place for its requirements or the person who planted it vastly underestimated its growth capacity and rate. When I do a design for clients I always draw in the size, or a manicured size, of a plant when fully grown, regardless of the size of the initial planting scheme as this is essential for the basic design and layout of the garden and this avoids problems caused by plants getting too big for their boots.
www.charlesworthgardens.com
There seem to be two main elements to “problem plants”. Firstly, and more commonly, is that someone plants a plant in a position which is not suitable. An example is a palm tree, e.g. (Phoenix Canariensis) that is in total 1.2 mts tall planted 2 mts from a wall, The obvious fact is that this palm will get a foliage span of approximately 6-9mts diameter in a few years if in suitable conditions. It will also grow to a height of approximately 21mts, (although height isn’t normally the biggest issue). It is the same for a whole host of plants, shrubs and trees.
Root development has to be thought about as well. Even if the size of the plant is ok in its situation many types of plants, when planted in small planters or next to the house, can form huge root systems which start to become a detrimental problem.
The real crime is that many of these beautiful plants have to be destroyed, plants which you may pay thousands for at the garden centres have to be cut down and removed, simply because a basic understanding wasn’t there.
The second main issue, which luckily doesn’t always mean the end of the plant, is maintenance. The fact that many people do not understand pruning and therefore often totally neglect certain plants causes problems in itself. I have heard of many plants branded by people as problem plants such as; Adelfa (Nerrium Oleander), or Ivy (Hedera) when I know they are great plants, providing their location is correct and they are maintained correctly. The list goes on and on but very, very few plants really deserve branding as problem plants and it is a real shame to waste years of growth. Many plants or trees will continue to grow through their life but it is also possible to buy trees such as Ficus Australis and Ficus Nitida, or particular types of shrubs like Laurus Nobilis (Bay) that allow you to keep clipping and pruning them regardless. These make for great plants as you can control them with greater ease compared to other options.
If you are currently building a garden or simply re-planting areas of your garden please either consult a garden designer such as myself or at least find some basic information yourselves before purchasing your plants. In doing so you will find that you have a more s t ructured wel l proportioned garden that won’t have to have its heart and soul quite literally ripped out because of bad positioning or lack of correct care.
If you wish to ask about any plant queries or desires please do not hesitate to get in contact via phone 966 113 374 or email
info@charlesworthgardens.com and they can organise a one on one meeting at their garden centre Flores to help you.
Page 38
Female Focus
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60