How can I clear a scrubby area?
Q We want to grow a border in an overgrown area between our drive and front
hedge. How should we do it? Edward Isaacs, via email
AStart by clearing the area, digging out the dead shrubs, brambles and nettles, and removing any debris and stones. Then smooth the surface, removing bumps and filling hollows.
In late spring next year, spray the weeds with repeated applications of a glyphosate weedkiller such as Roundup. This travels down the plant to the roots, killing the whole plant and does not persist in the soil.
Do not cut the plant back following spraying; allow the plant time to move the weedkiller down to the roots. Take great care, though, as this weedkiller kills all plants, including hedges and lawns. You will need to protect your
hedge or other plants that you want to keep from both the spray and spray drift.
Then lay a heavy-duty weed-control membrane over the entire area, pegging it down, and cover it with bark chips, gravel, pebbles or slate chips. If you wish, you could plant up the area by scraping back the bark and gravel and cutting X-shaped slits through the membrane to plant though.
Evergreen shrubs such as Euonymus fortunei ‘Silver Queen’ or ‘Emerald and Gold’, Aucuba japonica or variegated ivies or vincas would brighten up this shady area and provide year-round colour with the added bonus of being low maintenance.