Q Will evergreen standards grow in a north-facing plot?
Kristine, by email
AANNE SAYS Most evergreen trees or large shrubs trained as standards will be vulnerable to wind damage, so check whether your garden is affected by strong, icy winds. If reasonably sheltered, try Magnolia Fairy Cream. This is mainly evergreen and floriferous. You need to buy one trained as a standard, as they are often multi-stemmed.
If you are not bothered about large flowers, a standard holly is tough and attractive. I like
Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Golden King’, which, despite the name, is female. For red berries, make sure there is a male nearby for pollination.
Some privets are trained as standards. Chinese, or glossy, privet (Ligustrum lucidum) bears 15cm-long leaves and creamywhite flowers from summer to autumn. Semi-evergreen cotoneasters, including redfruited C. ‘Cornubia’ and yellow-fruited ’Rothschildianus’, make tree-like shapes and their blossom attracts pollinators.
AMATTHEW SAYS One of my favourite evergreen standards for situations that aren’t in full sun are the variegated hollies, which have a timeless, classy, elegance about them. The berries are brilliant for birds, and in a north-facing garden the frost will stay on it for longer, which is a textural treat on the wavy-edged leaves.
You will pay a little more for a standard holly than you would for something much fastergrowing, however, it will only need one prune a year – one that I think is satisfying to do with secateurs, as you don’t chop the leaves in half as a hedgetrimmer would. It’ll be a reliable, long-lived triumph that won’t bat an eyelid if we get a cold winter, and if you prune it in early winter, once the birds have eaten the fruit, you’ll have useful offcuts for a wreath or garland.