Unusual Front Gardens #22: Cotoneaster

Photo of 3 cotoneaster shrubs clothing a building on Corsham High Street

When your door opens directly onto Corsham High Street and you have very little space for planting, how on earth do you have a front garden?

Close-up of the cotoneaster showing leaves and berries
I'm not quite sure which species -
C. franchetii perhaps?
The solution in this instance is to go vertical and clothe your house with an evergreen plant. When I was writing my post on Pyracantha last year, I remembered this place and sallied forth to photograph it as an example of how the shrub could be used. It was only when I went to take a close-up photo of the plant that I found it was Cotoneaster, not Pyracantha. Durrrr.

However, whatever plant it is, I think it still adds interest to the building. It'll provide some extra insulation for the cottage it clothes and the spring flowers will be a magnet for bees.

It's amazing to see what can be done with just 3 plants, though I'm itching to clip it into some kind of shape. I see the beginnings of some rabbits leaping along the top there, don't you?

A parade of pushchairs go past a house clad in Cotoneaster in Corsham, Wiltshire

Comments

  1. Marigold Jam27 February 2015 at 09:21

    At first glance I thought it had been clipped into a shape so I guess it wouldn't take much to make it so. Is the for sale sign on that particular house of next door? Maybe you could buy it?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP27 February 2015 at 10:18

      It was for sale when I took the photo last year - I have no idea if it's sold yet. Sadly it's not the right house for us, though I'd love to move back to Corsham.

      Delete
  2. Sue Garrett27 February 2015 at 09:32

    I bet the birds love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP27 February 2015 at 10:20

      They do. Corsham High Street has an unusual feature - peacocks from Corsham Court. It makes a visit there quite exciting!

      Delete
    2. Sue Garrett27 February 2015 at 10:49

      Such beautiful birds but a pity their voices don't match their feathers,

      Delete
  3. CJ27 February 2015 at 09:43

    Yes, I'm definitely getting rabbits. I love to see planting in such tiny spaces. I remember Monty Don admiring the tiniest little gardens outside houses in Japan, they were exquisite, complete with miniature ponds. And I recently saw yew growing outside houses in Painswick, out of a really small gap in the pavement. I can really recommend you go and have a look if you're ever that way, they're lovely. I posted a couple of pictures of them if you'd like to see, they're photos 13 and 14 in this post http://cjabovetheriver.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/built-on-wool.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP27 February 2015 at 10:23

      I've been to Painswick a couple of times to see the snowdrops at Painswick Rococo Gardens. I love the quirky yews in the village churchyard (which I've also blogged about - http://vegplotting.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/painswick-yews.html for the churchyard and http://vegplotting.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/garden-visit-snow-on-snow-at-painswick.html for the snowdrops).
      I'll have a look out for your favourite the next time I'm there :)

      Delete
    2. CJ27 February 2015 at 14:21

      Lovely posts VP, you've reminded me what a beautiful place the rococo gardens is. I'd love to visit again one day.

      Delete
  4. Bitsy Beans27 February 2015 at 10:36

    I love Corhsam high street, it's like stepping back in time.

    There is a hedge here in Chippenham where the owners are obviously huge pig fans because it's been shaped into various pigs including a Peppa pig head. Fabulous. Certainly adds more interest to modern housing estate that's for sure :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP27 February 2015 at 19:57

      OMG where? I must see this!

      Delete
    2. Bitsy Beans28 February 2015 at 21:10

      It's on Sandown drive, just up from the island by Sainburys petrol station. It's a semi house on the right hand side (if you're travelling away from Sainsburys).

      Delete
    3. VP6 March 2015 at 08:58

      Ooh I wonder if it's the same place I photographed previously for this series. I must go and have a look...

      Delete
  5. Pauline27 February 2015 at 13:55

    Yes, I can see rabbits! It must take quite some time to keep it so neatly trimmed, definitely better than a bare wall.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP27 February 2015 at 20:02

      It's the only house on the street that has it Pauline. I'm surprised some of the others haven't followed suit, though the HSBC bank has a grapevine outside. I must add that to the series!

      Delete
  6. Josie27 February 2015 at 20:13

    Gorgeous photos, what a stunning place to live x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP28 February 2015 at 09:26

      Thanks Josie and welcome to Veg Plotting :-)

      Delete
  7. Desert Dweller28 February 2015 at 01:44

    This is perfect for small spaces...I've tried evergreen Rhus spp. as espaliers in a tight side area, but moved before it matured, or the new owner didn't follow through. The first photo is perfect of the classic English gentleman...even the 3 orange vested people w/ baby strollers (called "yuppies" in the US).

    My guess is Cotoneaster lacteus or C. parneyi...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP28 February 2015 at 09:29

      Espalliers would work well too - great idea. Thanks for the ID thoughts - I'd discounted lacteus, but will have a look at parneyi.

      Delete
  8. Spade and Dagger1 March 2015 at 17:38

    Why are those buggy pushers wearing Hi-Vis jackets - is this the Health & Safety version of childminders in the outdoors?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP6 March 2015 at 08:35

      Hello and welcome. I've seen teachers in Hi vis when they're out with their classes, so I guess you're right

      Delete
  9. Casa Mariposa4 March 2015 at 01:06

    Very cool!! I love it. :o)

    ReplyDelete
  10. VP6 March 2015 at 08:36

    Me too :-)

    ReplyDelete

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