General Chat

Can anybody give me some advice. My inlaws celebrate 40 years of marriage next week and we would like to get them a plant/tree/shrub, preferbly red in colour that can be planted next week and will survive in very wet conditions (they live in Wales) and the soil isn't too good, very rocky and shingley. Any advice appreciated Lisa (who thinks grass should only be for cows) xx

One thig, if the soil is rocky and shingly it should be well drained so the wet would not be such a problem. Why not get a rose in a container which they can keep until weather conditions allow them to plant it out. i think there is a red rose called Ruby Wedding. Ann Glos

Hi Lisa, What about a Japanese maple -there are lots of varieties to choose from including bloodred and dragon red. Http://www(.)worldplants(.)com/mapleintro(.)htm Good luck! Diane :)

jap maple red leaves dead cert we have one its beutiful

took a look at the website, they do look beautiful. Think i will take a trip to Rubenshaws this afternoon. Thanks Lisa xx

Just to confirm what Ann said - there is definitely a Rose called Ruby Wedding, I have one and it's a lovely colour. If the soil's too poor to plant it then you could put it into a really nice pot - make it a large one though, mine isn't looking it's best now as it needs putting in a better pot or in the ground. Good luck Kaye x

Hi, Yes there is a lovely rose called Ruby Wedding, the only worry i would have for the maple is that it does not llke wind at all... would need to be slightly sheltered.

Maples are not always easy to grow. we have a sheltered garden yet we have had two die on us, one just dried out, th other suffered wind burn and frost. Ann Glos

Go for the rose,they can stand the hardest conditions and the scent is lush.Fred.PTFA&G&G&S.

There is Cotinus Coggygria 'Royal Purple', otherwise known as Smoke Tree or Smoke Bush, the leaves of which are dark green tinged with dark red but turn deep plum red in Summer-Autumn. It is deciduous, so it loses its leaves in winter. It has has smooth, rounded leaves and keeps them for many months during Summer and Autumn. It can reach 8-10 ft in height and spread, and its growth habit is dome-shaped. In June and July, it produces feathery sprays of purple flowers. According to my gardening books, it thrives in poor soil, as long as it is well-drained. It can be planted between Autumn and Spring and only needs pruning to keep its shape, in Spring. Hope this helps. CB >|<

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP WITH THIS. MY MOTHER IN LAW WOULD NEVER BELIEVE ME OF ALL PEOPLE TALKING(!) ABOUT PLANTS, GARDENING ETC. hAVE BEEN GOOGLING ALL YOUR SUGGESTIONS AND THEY ALL LOOK LOVELY. Lisa (sorry about the caps)

Try 'Googling' Postcode Plants Data base. This will find the web site for the Natural History Museum London. Enter the Post Code and all types of Flora will be recommended for the Weather and soil types for that Area. We used it to buy plants when money was given for our 50th. W/A and all are flourishing Jay