How privacy fence tree blamed for MURDER has become the ‘must-have’ for your outside space this year
THINK of a conifer, and the first thing that comes to your mind is probably a massive Leylandii looming over your garden.
After their popularity soared in the 1970s – as the desire for privacy and hedging grew – they’ve floundered somewhat since.
Centre to thousands of neighbour disputes – they’ve even been blamed in murder cases.
In 2003 a leylandii hedge led to the death of two men.
Robert Dickenson, 52, was arrested after allegedly shooting dead his neighbour, 66-year-old George Wilson.
They’d argued about a privet hedge and also said to have fallen out over a taller section of hedge at the bottom of Mr Dickenson’s garden and a 15ft leylandii tree, which was thought to have been the latest bone of contention.
Dickenson was found hanged in prison where he was waiting to appear in court on a murder charge.
Because leylandii can grow 2-3 feet a year, they can also be costly to maintain.
But happily, there’s a whole range of conifers now you may never have considered.
And they can all bring colour, structure and joy to your outside space.
BBC Gardeners Question Time panelist Matthew Pottage, who’s now head of horticulture and landscape strategy at the Royal Parks, told Sun Gardening: “The bad taste left in many people’s mouths is perhaps the mislabelling and misinformation on eventual heights, and growth rates.
“Many slow growing conifers were labelled as dwarf conifers, when in fact they were actually small trees, so ended up causing neighbourly disputes, and inconvenient ‘blobs’ in the garden landscape.
“But when positioned right, conifers are a celebration of colour, texture and add important ‘bones’ to a garden. I love them!”
FEELING HOT, HOT, HOT!
Dobies have released their top five tips for Chilli growing season.
1. For super-hot chillies like the ‘Carolina Reaper‘, sowing early is essential. They have a longer germination and growing period – sow from mid-January through February
2. Milder varieties like ‘jalapeño’, ‘padrón’ or bell peppers have a shorter growing season – wait until early March. They germinate in 10-14 days with good warmth.
3. Chillies love warmth, but don’t over-water. Covering with a propagator lid or a clear plastic bag can help maintain humidity and warmth, speeding up germination.
4. Once seedlings have two sets of true leaves, pot them into individual pots to give them space to grow. As they mature, feed with a high-potassium fertiliser to encourage flowering and fruiting. For a bigger harvest, pick as they ripen.
5. Chillies need plenty of light for the best growth. If your seedlings look leggy or pale, consider using grow lights.
Zoe Large, from wholesale conifer Golden Grove nursery, added: “They give you colour all year round, when everything else is dying back, they’re the heart of the garden.
“ And even though they’re all evergreen, some can change the most incredible colours – the classic is Fire Chief that goes a deep bronze.
“Then you have Lime Glow, and Rubicon, which go lovely purple colours. And there’s subtle changes throughout the season.
“We’re coming up to a time where you get fantastic new growth – but a lot won’t dominate any garden at all.
“We sell a lot to nurseries that are suited for small gardens, modern gardens, or are perfect in containers that will only grow 2-6 cm a year – maybe up to ten.
“Plus they grow in any soil types, if they’re planted in the garden they only need minimal watering.
“And if you haven’t got much time or more knowledge they’ll just look after themselves – they’re really low maintenance.
“They’re really good impact plants for making a statement, and are minimum effort for maximum impact.”
Also in Veronica's Column this week
Win a £299 robotic mower, plus news and top tips
NEWS! Manchester has been named as the best city to garden in the UK. Pergolux UK looked at the climates of 13 cities – taking into account the average temperature, rainfall and wind speed. They also added in data on the size of the average garden and the number of garden centres.
Manchester was named as the best due to high scores on average rainfall and temperature.
The city enjoys 120cm of rain a year with an average annual temperature of just under 10.5ºC. It also boasts sizeable gardens at 88m2 and 46 garden centres.
NEWS! THE RHS wants you to help map UK’s daffodils and find rare pink, white and ‘bonfire’ yellow varieties. For more information head to the Daffodil Diaries at www.rhs.org.uk/science/daffodil-diaries
WIN! Just in time for the beginning of ‘lawn season’ one lucky Sun Gardening reader can get their hands on a LawnMaster OcuMow16 Robot Mower – worth £299.99 thanks to our friends at Robert Dyas. It doesn’t need a boundary wire, outside plug socket or app – it’s just good to drop and mow. To enter, visit www.thesun.co.uk/Lawnmaster, or write to Sun Lawnmaster Competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Ends 23.59GMT 15.3.25 T&Cs apply.
TOP TIP If you’re using Peat Free seedling compost for the first time – beware of overwatering. Just because the top is dry, doesn’t mean the bottom isn’t. Lift the modules from the trays to check weight.
JOB OF THE WEEK If you’ve started your seedlings off under cover – just remember to check daily – continue to prick out and pot on the ones you planted last month – normally when they get their first set of true leaves.
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