Are these trees/shrubs safe?

[rachglos]

We lost a big rose bush during the very high winds recently and would like to replace it with something, we went to the garden canter yesterday and found some trees/shrubs we like but after endless searching I can't find if they are bunny safe, I'm going by the names on the tags so maybe I'm looking up the wrong thing...

Photinia red robin
Acer palmatum
Ligustrum superbum

Can anybody help please, are these bunny safe?

Thanks

 

[parsnipbun]

I would not use ligustrum at all - they are all a type of privet.

Photinia - is a type of evergreen and as such the leaves will be indigestible and may cause problems if eaten

Acer should be ok -



Have you thought of getting some nice native or deciduous shrubs? Is it hedging or trees or specimen shrubs you are looking for?

I use rosa rugosa for hedging, climbing and rambling roses for covering unsightly things or fencing, buddleia (the specialist ones) are fab specimen shrubs, as are lavatera, trees could be hawthorns or apple or crab apple etc

 

[rachglos]

Thank you

It has to be something that will fit in a fixed planter (about 40inch x 40inch) against the fence and will give some height coverage, trying to create a mini screen with the neighbours.
I don't really know what I'm looking for to be honest...

 

[Tamsin]

Bamboo gives a nice screen and looks good in winter too

A climber would be a good option too as some will be fine in a pot and create lots of cover up high. You can also protect the base and go for non bunny safe options too eg clematis. For bunny safe a grape is good - they can eat the leaves and prunings and they cover really well.

If you cut the original rose back (even if it's to the stage it's just a few twigs) it's very likely to regrow and may even look better for it.

 

[rachglos]

Thanks.

The original rose was ripped out via the root as it was attached to a high frame that got completely blown over in the wind, big mess.

We are visiting another place tomorrow so I will go armed with some of your ideas.

 

[Neve]

how about planting another rose bush? or as tasmin said grape would probably fit the bill :thumb:

 

[rachglos]

Thank you everyone, we went to a lovely nursery today and found a really nice Kilmarnock Willow for a very good price, it's happily in the planter and the whole garden tidied up.