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Posted by sallow (U14582906) on Sunday, 3rd April 2011
Hi all
I need a shrub which meets the following criteria:
Evergreen
red in colour (deep, blood red ideally)
A compact shrub (or a shrub that can be kept compact by pruning)
Soil type is well drained, sandy
Dappled shade
It will be located next to a red stemmed cornus on a small bed.
Thanks for suggestions
, in reply to message 1.
Posted by mister-grow-it-all (U14591945) on Sunday, 3rd April 2011
Photinia there are a few red ones sall and large
Photinia Red Robin. Mine is really red at the moment.
Photinias can get large but they respond well to clipping. There's a hedge of it near me that produces a lovely fiery red glow every spring and then puts out new red growth when clipped to shape during the season.
Left unclipped, photinia does mature to green through the season.
I bought a 'Baby Red Robin' last year and it was gorgeous, but sadly it did not survive the minus 14 degrees last winter. Don't think I'll take the chance on replacing it, I have the feeling these cold winters are here to stay, for a while at least. In fact, I shan't be replacing anything that took a hit last winter. I also lost a 40ft escallonia hedge and a 20 ft grisellinia hedge.
Maybe a young one needs protecting but round here they've coped with temps of -25C and worse for three winters.
Dont forget the Cornus' stems will really only be visible in the winter & until it leafs up in the spring.
So although I also thought of the Photinia, have just seen a wonderful deep red camelia in flower. Evergreen & the red in flowers. Or what about a smaller Azalea again with the red flowers? Just a thought. J.
I wondered about those too Jo but the red is very brief and they'd have to have acid soil and a sheltered aspect as well for the camellia.
Photinia - good suggestion!
I also bought a dwarf photinia in the Autumn for another spot in the garden, but it wasnt the cold that killed it, but the gales in January split all the stems
The reason I want it to be evergreen, and plant next to the Cornus is I plan on making a small winter garden, and red is the theme
, in reply to message 9.
Posted by mister-grow-it-all (U14591945) on Monday, 4th April 2011
red Helleborus
Bergenia
Nandina domestica
Hamamelis x intermedia. Red-hued varieties include "Diane," "Carmine Red," "Fire Charm" and "Ruby Glow
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' may be worth a look - depends how 'dappled' your shade is.
It looks great behind Cornus.
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