What will grow in soil that is matted with roots?
Glenda King, County Fermanagh
AANNE SAYS It sounds like your new garden is fully occupied by low-maintenance trees and shrubs that suited the previous owners. I imagine any empty spaces are grass or shaded soil.
I suggest you aim for colour near the house, with a landscape of trees and shrubs gradually getting wilder towards the edges. Consider taking out some of the evergreens to create sunnier beds for new plants such as roses and peonies or, on light soil, some
Mediterranean plants. A mini-digger may be useful to remove stumps.
In areas of dappled shade with fewer roots (you can cut through some), you could create slightly raised beds of good soil, with added organic matter. Here you could grow woodland plants such as witch hazels, Japanese maples, hellebores and Solomon’s seal.
In wilder sections, clear glades for ferns, foxgloves and other plants that like dry shade. Perhaps plant rambling roses, wisteria, honeysuckle or climbing hydrangea to grow up into some of the trees.
Cut some roots to create planting areas, edged with root barriers
ABOB SAYS In moderation, you could cut through some roots to clear new planting areas. This won’t harm the trees and shrubs any more than moderate pruning, but never cut roots close to a trunk.
Bear in mind, though, that this may let in diseases and the trees and shrubs will rapidly grow fresh roots back into the cleared areas and out-compete new plantings. One solution would be to insert root barriers around new planting areas to stop roots coming back in. The planting areas would have to be large enough to sustain your new plants, as they’ll be unable to extend their roots beyond it. Enrich the soil with well-rotted manure and bonemeal, as the trees will have used up most of the nutrients.
An easier alternative would be to grow choice specimens in very large containers. These would be less effort to plant and are likely to give better results.
Kalanchoe flower for a long period and are very easy to look after