Squawk Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Hi Could anyone advise me on some varieties of shrubs to plant in my garden. Preferably they would be quite fast growing and hold their leaves for the majority of the year. My chickens have dug up/eaten most of my plants and shrubs are the only things that survive! Thanks Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Fast growing chicken proof, evergreens shrubs.... hmmmmm Can't think of much that are very fast growing, but how about Azalias? You can get evergreen versions, but aren't that fast growing. Potentillas or Shrub roses would be quite good and faster - but lose their leaves in the winter. Cammelias look stunning, but again, they aren't that fast growing. Miniature conifers of different varieties? They can be very fast growing - but cause all sorts of issues as a result though, and need pulling up a few years down the line - even the so called miniature ones that they claim won't grow more than a metre or so... Hebe's, lavenders can all be chicken proof if you are lucky. Euonymous can be really good - you can get some pretty variagated ones - but again they take a couple of years to get going, but are evergreen. Good luck! PS - please take all spellings with a pinch of salt... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Euonymous can be really good - you can get some pretty variagated ones - but again they take a couple of years to get going, but are evergreen. Not sure if I'd plant a euonymous to be honest . Took them 2 years to discover it was edible though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 It depends on what the soil is like, how sunny/shady the area is, etc etc. I find the RHS online "plant selector" pretty good; you choose attributes (evergreen, size, hardiness, sun levels, soil type, speed of growth, season of interest, etc etc) and it pops out a list of suggestions with piccies. You can leave bits blank if you're not sure. Don't think it has a "chicken proof" option though you could find out more about each one on your shortlist though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 Euonymous can be really good - you can get some pretty variagated ones - but again they take a couple of years to get going, but are evergreen. Not sure if I'd plant a euonymous to be honest . Took them 2 years to discover it was edible though! I am not showing my chooks that picture!! I refuse to give them any ideas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 What about Laurels? I dug out 3 to put a shed in and planted them round the back by the oil tank and garage, not expecting them to survive (ripped out rather than dug out ). 4 years on they are HUGE! Big waxy leaves, evergreen and I don't think the hens would touch them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 We have laurels at the front of the house as we face onto a main road and they are fab! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squawk Posted April 15, 2010 Author Share Posted April 15, 2010 Hi Thank you for all the suggestions. The only plants that have done well in my garden are a Photinia and a Cotoneaster .... or trees as they are too tall to be eaten! Unfortunately even lavender struggles to survive as it doesnt get chance to establish itself before its dug up by my chickens Based on that I've bought: Golden curls willow Heavenly bamboo (not a true bamboo as its related to berberis) Mexican Orange blossom Golden dogwood Spotted laurel I also saw a bay tree and another willow that looked really nice but I was running out of room in my car I know they arent all evergreens but the willow and dogwood have really nice coloured stems in winter. I was a bit worried about the laurel as most of them seem to have poisonous berries. My chickens have an 'eat now, think later policy' so I may have to remove the berries if it has any. Maybe we should start a list of chicken resistant plants as well as the list of things they can eat! I'll let you know if any of my new plants survive. Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 They don't touch my buddleias but consider all other plants fair game Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 Mine haven't touched my euonymus at your's ANH. The only things in my back garden are larger shrubs that were there BC and fruit trees. I have a few roses and a few perenials that have to be protected with upturned hanging baskets until they come through and are big enought to have some resistance. I do only let my girls out for an hour or so a day though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 You wait . It took 2 years before mine got "discovered" . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
