class: center, middle # Shrubs & Cover _Establish shrubs & cover the ground_  ##### [The Backyard Forest](https://www.natureworks.org.uk/backyard/) by [Jake Rayson](https://www.natureworks.org.uk/) [natureworks.org.uk/backyard/shrubs](https://www.natureworks.org.uk/backyard/shrubs/) ###### **Press `P` to see notes and credits**<br>Work licensed under [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/), embedded work may have other licenses. ??? * Greetings & welcome to The Backyard Forest * Online forest gardening course for everyone who wants to transform their backyard into a lush food forest and wildlife haven * My name is Jake Rayson and I'm a forest gardener and forest garden designer * Couple of things * Press `p` to see slideshow notes` * Slideshow always available online --- # Course overview <img class="right-img" alt="Shrub with red flower" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_360,h_203/v1544300867/chaenomeles-41478572351.jpg"> 1. [Introducing](../intro/) 2. [Plan](../plan/) 3. [Design](../design/) 4. [Protect](../protect/) 5. [Perennial Veg](../veg/) 6. [Canopy](../canopy/) 7. [<span class="u-bg-lime">Ground Prep</span>](../prep/) 8. [<span class="u-bg-lime">Shrubs & Ground Cover</span>](../shrubs/) π ??? * I've divided the course into 3 phases * Firstly, the watching, thinking and planning phase - sections 1-3 * Secondly, the **structural** phase - sections 4-6 * Thirdly, the **filling in** phase - sections 7 & 8 --- # What weβll learn  1. Principles 2. Propagation 3. Planting 4. Shrub species 5. Ground cover species <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? * Revisit principles! * Importance of propagating * How to plant your shrubs & ground cover * Then, onto species --- class: middle, center # 1. Principles <h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">Principles</span> β Propagation β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> --- # 1. Principles  * [Protection](../protect/), [spacing](https://www.forestgarden.wales/spacing/), [planning](../plan) π * Future shade * Mulch. Everything. * Right plant, right place <h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">Principles</span> β Propagation β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? * Same principles for shrubs as trees * Easier to move * Future shade -- gaultheria shallon, gooseberries, blackcurrants, aronia? Photo by Visjesh K on [Flickr](https://flickr.com/photos/kvijesh/14887496439/) --- # 1. Principles  * [Protection](../protect/), [spacing](https://www.forestgarden.wales/spacing/), [planning](../plan) * Future shade π * Mulch. Everything. * Right plant, right place <h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">Principles</span> β Propagation β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? * As garden matures, becomes increasingly shady * Make note of where sun will cast shadow with eg [Sun Surveyor](https://www.sunsurveyor.com/) * Consider simple mix of ground cover, shifting to more shade tolerant --- # 1. Principles  * [Protection](../protect/), [spacing](https://www.forestgarden.wales/spacing/), [planning](../plan) * Future shade * Mulch. Everything. π * Right plant, right place <h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">Principles</span> β Propagation β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? * Never leave bare ground * THINGS WILL GROW! --- # 1. Principles  * [Protection](../protect/), [spacing](https://www.forestgarden.wales/spacing/), [planning](../plan) * Future shade * Mulch. Everything. * Right plant, right place π <h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">Principles</span> β Propagation β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? * Whether shrub or ground cover: right plant, right place ([Beth Chatto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beth_Chatto)?) * **Know your plants**! * Soil, light, wind, temperature, native * [PFAF](https://pfaf.org/user/Default.aspx), [RHS plant finder](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/Search-Form) ## Shrubs vs. trees * Single stemmed & 4m+ π * Situation affects height & habit * Ditto pruning & coppicing * Plot size & [principles](https://www.forestgarden.wales/definition/) Photo by Plant Image Library on [Flickr](https://flickr.com/photos/138014579@N08/32921870092/) * [What Is the Difference Between a Tree and a Shrub?](https://www.thespruce.com/the-difference-between-trees-and-shrubs-3269804) * Borderline examples: * [Hazel](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Corylus+avellana) * [Sea Buckthorn](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Hippophae+rhamnoides) * [Autumn Olive](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Elaeagnus+umbellata) * [Hawthorn](https://pfaf.org/user/cmspage.aspx?pageid=59) * [Pollarded Lime tree](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Tilia+cordata) * [Pollarded Chinese Cedar](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Toona+sinensis) --- class: middle, center # 2. Propagation <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β <span class="u-underline">Propagation</span> β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> --- # 2. Propagation  * Β£5-Β£20 per shrub * Β£2-Β£5 per ground cover * 3-5 ground cover per mΒ² * Easy, native, ground cover & windbreaks <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β <span class="u-underline">Propagation</span> β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? * Approx 400 plants per 100mΒ²βmake propagation beds! * Example in photo 30mΒ², which is 150 plants. At Β£3 per plant, Β£450! * Double windbreak is shrub about every 0.5m * NW boundary in Ornamental Forest Garden is about 80 metres long, 160 windbreak shrubs * Just one of 9 areas in 1 acre Ornamental Forest Garden is 260mΒ², which is 1300 plants. Exactly. --- # 2. Propagation  * Accessible * Sheltered * Near water <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β <span class="u-underline">Propagation</span> β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? 1. Cardboard 2. Top soil 3. Wood chip 4. Propagated plants Leave wood chip on cardboard around beds as footpath --- # 2. Propagation  1. Seed π 2. Layering 3. Root cuttings 4. Division 5. Cuttings <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β <span class="u-underline">Propagation</span> β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? * **5 TYPES** of propagation * Appendix 1 Propagation Tables, [Creating a Forest Garden](https://www.agroforestry.co.uk/product/creating-a-forest-garden-2/) --- # 2.1 Seed  * Cheaper * Longer * More skill * Genetic diversity <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β <span class="u-underline">Propagation</span> β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? * Totemic plant! * In a pot, near the house * Vernalisation - period of cold * Soaking - some seeds --- # 2. Propagation  1. Seed 2. Layering π 3. Root cuttings 4. Division 5. Cuttings <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β <span class="u-underline">Propagation</span> β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> --- # 2.2 Layering  * Strawberries & raspberries * Pin runner in pot * Embed pot in ground <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β <span class="u-underline">Propagation</span> β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? * Fragaria & Rubus * βMotherβ beds, runners come off plants * Pin with whatever works: wire, stone, clay * Or, just pull up runners if youβre lazy & itβs damp * Embedding pot reduces watering * Beach Strawberry, Green Strawberry, Nepalese Raspberry --- # 2. Propagation  1. Seed 2. Layering 3. Root cuttings π 4. Division 5. Cuttings <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β <span class="u-underline">Propagation</span> β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> --- # 2.3 Root cuttings  * 4cm x 1.5cm root * Place in pot of compost * Keep watered <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β <span class="u-underline">Propagation</span> β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? * Comfrey best known example * Slugs like comfrey! * Dwarf Comfrey * Horseradish * Garden Sorrel --- # 2. Propagation  1. Seed 2. Layering 3. Root cuttings 4. Division π 5. Cuttings <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β <span class="u-underline">Propagation</span> β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> --- # 2.4 Division  * Some plants divide eg [New Zealand Flax](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Phormium+tenax) * Some send runners eg [mint](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentha) * Divide gently, repot <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β <span class="u-underline">Propagation</span> β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? * Divide gently, or hack with knife! --- # 2. Propagation  1. Seed 2. Layering 3. Root cuttings 4. Division 5. Cuttings π <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β <span class="u-underline">Propagation</span> β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> --- # 2.5 Cuttings  * Hardwood: Oct-Feb * Softwood: summer * Willow rooting compound <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β <span class="u-underline">Propagation</span> β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? * Around edge of pot of gritty compost * Or, can stick & forget! --- class: middle, center # 3. Planting <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β <span class="u-underline">Planting</span> β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> --- # 3. Planting  1. Layer bark mulch π 2. Plant shrubs 3. 3-5 ground cover per mΒ² 4. Temporary ground cover <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β <span class="u-underline">Planting</span> β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? * Approx 1 tonne per 100mΒ² * Can use [wood chip](https://puyallup.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/wood-chips.pdf) <sup>PDF</sup> --- # 3. Planting  1. Layer bark mulch 2. Plant shrubs π 3. 3-5 ground cover per mΒ² 4. Temporary ground cover <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β <span class="u-underline">Planting</span> β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? 1. Mark position 2. Smallest hole 3. Donβt bother with mycorrhizal 4. Mulch, not grass --- # 3. Planting  1. Layer bark mulch 2. Plant shrubs 3. 3-5 ground cover per mΒ² π 4. Temporary ground cover <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β <span class="u-underline">Planting</span> β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? --- # 3. Planting  1. Layer bark mulch 2. Plant shrubs 3. 3-5 ground cover per mΒ² 4. Temporary ground cover π <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β <span class="u-underline">Planting</span> β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ???  * White Mustard works well in West Wales, annual * In UK, buy in bulk from [Cotswold Seeds](https://www.cotswoldseeds.com/products/1584/mustard-sinapsis-alba), Β£2.30 per kg, Β£50 free shipping --- class: middle, center # 4. Shrubs <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β Planting β <span class="u-underline">Shrubs</span> β Ground cover</h6> --- # 4. Shrubs  * Soft fruit π * Windbreak * Nitrogen fixing <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β Planting β <span class="u-underline">Shrubs</span> β Ground cover</h6> ??? * Photo by ΠΠ³ΠΎΡ ΠΡΡΠ°Π²Π»ΡΠ² on [Flickr](https://flickr.com/photos/142171772@N06/42581063114/) --- # 4. Shrubs  * Soft fruit * Windbreak π * Nitrogen fixing <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β Planting β <span class="u-underline">Shrubs</span> β Ground cover</h6> ??? * [Dogwood](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cornus+sericea), recommended π --- # 4. Shrubs  * Soft fruit * Windbreak * Nitrogen fixing π <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β Planting β <span class="u-underline">Shrubs</span> β Ground cover</h6> ??? * Photo by Jeremy Halls on [Flickr](https://flickr.com/photos/anax/31131832578/) --- # Autumn Olive!  * Soft fruit π€© * Windbreak π€© * Nitrogen fixing π€© <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β Planting β <span class="u-underline">Shrubs</span> β Ground cover</h6> ??? * [Autuman Olive](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Elaeagnus+umbellata), all of the above! --- ## My top 10 shrubs * [Broom](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cytisus+scoparius) * [Sea Buckthorn](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Hippophae+rhamnoides) * [Autumn Olive](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Elaeagnus+umbellata) * [Aronia](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Aronia+melanocarpa) * [Common Barberry](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Berberis+vulgaris) * [Darwinβs Barberry](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Berberis+darwinii) * [Gaultheria shallon](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Gaultheria+shallon) * [Bamboo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo) * [New Zealand Flax](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Phormium+tenax) * [Green Alder](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Alnus+viridis+crispa) <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β Planting β <span class="u-underline">Shrubs</span> β Ground cover</h6> ??? * Usual soft fruit suspects: blackcurrant, thornless bramble, red/whitecurrant, gooseberry etc * Get fruiting cultivars for fruit! --- class: middle, center # 5. Ground cover <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β Planting β Shrubs β <span class="u-underline">Ground cover</span></h6> --- # Reasons  * Low maintenance * Soil health * Wildlife <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β Planting β Shrubs β <span class="u-underline">Ground cover</span></h6> ??? * Grass is **high maintenance** & competitive --- # Considerations  * Choose native * Consider conditions * Stacking functions <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β Planting β Shrubs β <span class="u-underline">Ground cover</span></h6> ??? * Native cheaper, more wildlife * Human harvest marginal * [A New Garden Ethic](https://newsociety.com/Books/N/A-New-Garden-Ethic) by [Benjamin Vogt](https://www.monarchgard.com/benjamin-vogt.html) * [RHS Plant Finder](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/Search-Form) with [Native Filter](https://bit.ly/rhs-native) * Conditions: * Moisture * Soil * Shade * Space * There will always be shade ##Β Stacking functions * Fertility * Fruit * Host plant * Habitat * Pollinators --- # Weeding  * Why weed? π * Saplings, grass & bramble * Scissor weeding * [Chop βnβ drop](/chop-n-drop/) mulch <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β Planting β Shrubs β <span class="u-underline">Ground cover</span></h6> ??? * Grass is competitive * Less harvest * More difficult to harvest * Access difficult * Other βweedsβ eg Plantago & dandelions? --- # Weeding  * Why weed? * Saplings, grass & bramble π * Scissor weeding * [Chop βnβ drop](https://www.forestgarden.wales/chop-n-drop/) mulch <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β Planting β Shrubs β <span class="u-underline">Ground cover</span></h6> --- # Weeding  * Why weed? * Saplings, grass & bramble * Scissor weeding π * [Chop βnβ drop](https://www.forestgarden.wales/chop-n-drop/) mulch <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β Planting β Shrubs β <span class="u-underline">Ground cover</span></h6> --- # Weeding  * Why weed? * Saplings, grass & bramble * Scissor weeding * [Chop βnβ drop](https://www.forestgarden.wales/chop-n-drop/) mulch π <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β Planting β Shrubs β <span class="u-underline">Ground cover</span></h6> --- # My top 10 ground cover * [Ground Ivy](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Glechoma+hederacea) * [Nepalese Raspberry](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Rubus+nepalensis) * [Horse Mint](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mentha+longifolia) * [Apple Mint](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mentha+suaveolens) * [Oregano](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Origanum+vulgare) * [Wild Thyme](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Thymus+serpyllum) * [Lesser Periwinkle](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Vinca+minor) * [Beach Strawberry](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Fragaria+chiloensis) * [Dwarf Comfrey](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/75444/Symphytum-ibericum/Details) * [Chinese Bramble](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Rubus+tricolor) * [Taiwanese Bramble](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rubus+rolfei) <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β Planting β Shrubs β <span class="u-underline">Ground cover</span></h6> --- # Backyard Forest takeaways  * Keep ground covered * Things will grow * Right plant, right place * Minimal weeding _once established_ <h6 class="breadcrumb">Principles β Propagation β Planting β Shrubs β Ground cover</h6> ??? * PS make sure your shrub is self-fertile or has pollinating partner! --- class: middle, center # The End  <hello@natureworks.org.uk> [natureworks.org.uk/newsletter](https://www.natureworks.org.uk/newsletter) Music: _[Chegsticks](https://iamthemightyjungulator.bandcamp.com/track/chegsticks-3) by [I Am The Mighty Jungulator](https://iamthemightyjungulator.bandcamp.com)_