You can’t actually stop leylandii growing, just control where it grows. To control the height to which a leylandii (Leyland cypress) tree (or any other conifer) grows, you need to prune it carefully. Leylandii are very suitable for use as hedges as they can handle being pruned. Regular pruning once or twice a year is much better for the plant than one big pruning session when it really gets too tall or wide. Leylandii height and width It helps if…
Some common problems with conifers require you to revive and bring them back to life but remember, they are not actually dead, there are just not in good health. If you peel the bark back and you see green under the bark, then the conifers are likely still alive and can be revived. In this guide, I identify the most usual issues that harm conifers and give ways to refresh and revive your conifer. But be warned that it’s not…
Conifers are easy to care for trees that you shouldn’t trim unless you absolutely have to. You may need to do this task if branches become diseased or die, or end up damaged by high winds. Here’s when and how to trim conifers in general so that you don’t harm the tree. This guide is more about ornamental conifers and not hedging conifers such as Leylandii and Thuja which obviously need trimming 2-3 times a year. Even these conifers should…
Conifer roots, in general, are relatively shallow though they are dense. Most of the roots reside in the top 1m of the soil the tree is in. But this does depend on the soil type and drainage. However, the roots spread wildly. Conifer roots can spread up to three times the radius of the tree canopy. This makes the roots very difficult to dig up but also helps them stay upright in the worst of storms. When young the conifers…
The answer “it depends” to “are conifers poisonous to dogs?” is accurate but not useful when your dog’s health can be affected by what you grow in your garden. I explain what you should know and ask when choosing a conifer for your garden. The short answer is most conifers are not poisonous to dog, however, Yew trees (Taxus species) are poisonous to dogs and yews are a very common conifer which is why I bring it up here. Levels…
Acer trees (also known as Japanese maples) are compact trees suitable for growing in pots. Although some varieties do grow high and wide, they’re so slow growing that you can enjoy even these acers in pots before they get too big. These hardy trees are easy to care for in containers. Choosing your acer tree You have a choice of many varieties of acer trees, some specifically for growing acers in pots. The Acer Japonicum varieties remain as small spreading…
Acer trees (Japanese maples) are slow growing trees, though some varieties will eventually grow high and wide. As such, they’re ideal for planting in containers. But as they grow, you do need to repot an acer tree occasionally to allow enough room for its roots to spread. If this is your first acer and your planting it on a pot for the first time, check out my guide on growing acers in pots here. If you are reporting into a…
Acer trees (aka Japanese maples) are hardy trees and easy to look after. However, protecting an acer tree over winter helps them to survive to yet another growing season. I cover advice for both acer trees planted in the ground and those grown in pots. For all acer trees, wherever they are planted Overall Health The healthier your acer tree is, the stronger it is to survive the winter weather. Look after it well all year long, attending to its…
Gooseberries have been a popular British fruit for centuries dating as far back as the Elizabethan era. The fruits are in their season between May and August, with their peak being in July. Early in their season, gooseberries are bright green in colour and usually have veined effects on their skin. They are also somewhat hard and tart. This variety is perfect for making the classic English pudding, jams, tarts, and sauces. Later on, the fully ripe, sweeter fruits available…
Gooseberries are a doddle to grow and can flourish in nearly any kind of soil provided that they have lots of sunshine. They can be grown in pots or containers, as bushes or even trained against a fence or wall to save space. Today we’ll delve into growing gooseberries in pots and the various aspects surrounding their growth; watering, harvesting, common problems, and more. Planting the gooseberry in pots Gooseberries are hardy, deciduous, perennial shrubs that grow up to 5ft…