Windswept garden?

Question

We live in an exposed area and the wind can blow pretty badly here e.g. plum trees are only as high as the small wall, other tree is very lopsided. At the moment all i have is grass - which is fine but i miss my colour and varience. I have two large containers which I will put in bulbs and the stone wall will take wall plants. What can i put in the beds - minding that I haven't dug them yet?

Answer 1

It sounds like you need to create some wind breaks with some fast growing, sturdy shrubs and trees.

I would call your county's "cooperative extgension office" and ask to be put in touch with a "Master Gardener" who will be able to help you with plant choices and often a landscaping suggestions or possibly a plan. Master gardeners volunteer free of charge to help people in their community and county with needs such as yours!

Because I don't know your growing zone, I cannot specifically suggest for you what might work; however, in most zones in the United States, tall, evergreen cyprus shrubs that grow in vertical cone shapes, provide a nice tall wind break when planted two or three rows deep. I would try to place shrubs and trees that are evergreen so that the foilage will be available to block the wind all year long

Depending on how large your yard is, earth "berms" can be built into your landscape to look natural and protect some fragile plantings. Ornamental grasses can also be used as they fare well in extreme winds such as beach and desert settings.

As for your bedding plants, I would first concentrate on building your wind breaks. If you really want some bedding plants, I would try some ground covers that are sturdy such as mint (plant in containers so it wont take over) low growing thyme (this herb makes a great ground cover) and for large areas that you don't want to place flowers in or have alot of control over, you can use Asian Jasmine or periwinkles.

Best of luck.

Answer 2

I agree that reducing wind speed and force is a productive approach to this problem. I would tend to plant a hedge in this situation, and I would look at the constituents of nearby hedges as a guide to the genera that thrive locally in these conditions. Hawthorn and beech would be suitable hedge plants in exposed situations.
The level of protection afforded by a hedge is as follows:

10xheight for optimum protection
a further 20xheight for some protection

on the leeward side of the hedge.

Answer 3

I totally agree with the Master Gardener above! However, you may not have the room for wind breaks. Not knowing how much depth you have, all I can offer is maybe creating man made wind breaks until you can get some evergreen or dense twigged shrubs up. There are fabrics you can attach to sturdy posts that would reduce the wind. Blocking isn't a good idea as it may very well get blown away.....the wind should be able to pass through a bit.

Remember wind breaks are only efficient for about 6 x the height of the wind break. So a 6 foot tall would only protect about 36-40 feet down wind.

What about ornamental grasses on the upwind side? Not pampas grass as it is so dangerous with the sharp edges, but some of the others......maiden grass, etc.

As for plants......well until the wind situation is overcome, you color will come from lower growing plants.

Once again, not knowing where you are and your planting zone and growing climate (zone 6 east is different than a zone 6 in arid west) I'm suggesting a peek at www.highcountrygardens.com for ideas on tough plants, many of which are lower growing.

Answer 4

You can have instant hedging put in.

Link : http://www.pracbrown.co.uk/home.htm