Standards

 
I wonder if anyone has experience of looking after standard shrubs. We
are considering getting a pair of 1/2 standard bay (Laurus Nobilis) or
something similar.  They would be planted in containers in a ESE
facing location that is relatively sheltered.  Given that we are in S
Devon there should not be much in the way of problems with frost.

rbel

 
You need LARGE containers and good drainage, but otherwise that
is a fairly common way of growing bay.  You could underplant with
thyme or similar, if you want to.  Don't let them dessicate, but
bay doesn't mind drying out to a moderate extent.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

 



Bay grows like a weed in our garden and we are forever pulling self setters
and dumping them on the compost. I have this morning, and over the last
couple of weeks pruning the Bay Hedges back severely and shredding it for
the compost.

Question. How difficult would it be to take a seedling and train it to a
Standard? Seems easy to me, but no doubt someone will tell me that it is a
hard job and needs years of experience

Mike


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Don't take life too seriously, you'll never get out alive.

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 On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 12:07:59 +0100 (BST), nmm1@cam.ac.uk wrote:


Given that we are considering 1/2 standards rather than full standards
we had thought of using 50 cms planters filled with a mix of JI 3 and
grit.  I like the idea of underplanting with thyme.

rbel

 
That sounds plausible, but you needn't have a very gritty mixture;
just as long as it drains.  50 cm planters are right sods if you
have to move them, so they count as pretty large!


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.