On 2009-10-13 14:55:46 +0100, Chris J Dixon said:

Whilst at Grand Designs Live, I heard a talk by James
Alexander-Sinclair, who I have to say was a most engaging and
informative speaker.

He encouraged us not to keep plants simply because they have been
there for a long time, saying that he often finds an overgrown
forsythia in a corner of a garden, boring for most of the year,
and constantly in need of cutting back.

This prompted me to think about replacements for mine. I have
room for a small tree, but wonder what is considered to provide
the greatest amount of year-round interest?

Chris

What about one of the fruit trees so that you get the blossom and the
fruit, as long as it's self-polllinating or a neighbour has one, too.
If you live in a suitable area Euryops chrysanthemoides (shrub, not a
tree) is evergreen, flowers with us for something like 8 months of the
year and has grown to over 4' tall with a spread about the same.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics.
South Devon