Replacement...

[john1066]

I have just removed a rather straggly and too tall Buddleia from a corner of my garden and am looking for a replacement. Any ideas? It would be surrounded with a six foot wodden fence,I would prefer a shrub to a tree..Thanks..John.

[Chipchopper]

Buddleia do tent to take over even after hard pruning, I would suggest something smaller which is also attractive to bees, moths and butterflies and indeed to the human eye.
Abelia may be a good choice (A. grandiflora), it should eventually reach 5-6 feet but when pruned after flowering, it will most likely stay to about 4 foot in a sunny position.
For a tree, I'm guessing you would like something that don't get too big.
I have an unusual tree that seems to becoming more popular, known as 'Wafer ash' (Ptellia trifoliata 'Auria'), mine is only 6 foot, after several years and has lime-green leaves in threes, followed by large wafer like seeds, which in my garden, the birds eat.
Hope this helps - Chip.

[tamborine]

I adore my camellias as theyre first to bloom in March/April. They will grow to 10ft+ but can be trimmed (after blooming so as to prepare for next years show).

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=camellia+image&client=firefox-a&hs=anf&;rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&;tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=5gICUu7iIs2f7AbpyYDwCA&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=691

[tamborine]

and they are evergreen

[megfitz]

How about an Osmanthus Burkwoodii,scented white flowers, evergreen , grows to approx. 6-8 feet depending on variety, I planted one in space left by a Buddlia, and it's doing well. It's on chalk and facing North-East.

[Robinia]

I always think evergreens are good for corners. Does it get some sun john? A choisya sundance would be a permanent mound of sunshine if you like yellow leaved shrubs. It has white flowers in late spring but makes a good backdrop for smaller plants later in the year

(here on the right)
http://www.mooseyscountrygarden.com/shrubs/sundance-delphinium.jpg.

It might get frosted on the tips in a harsh winter but it won't mind being pruned. There are also green leaved varieties, I've got Aztec Pearl as well as sundance.

[Robinia]

oops sorry about the pic, I'll try this way...

http://i41.tinypic.com/4l4jl4.jpg

[ferlew]

An outstanding shrub IMHO is a Sambucus Nigra.
It will attain 7ft, then I cut mine back for the winter to about 3'
This is the one I have.

http://www.coblands.co.uk/plant/sambucus-nigra-black-lace-common-elder?gclid=CJ6cvOiA67gCFS3HtAod0WoAfg

[Robinia]

That's beautiful ferlew but don't you have a problem with blackfly? My neighbour has one and it gets covered. (I don't use chemicals)

[Chipchopper]

Another excellent elder is the American red berried elder which has a golden cut-leaf form (Sambucus racemosa 'Southerland Gold'. I have a young one of these and it's soon filled out the space and has a brilliant light golden deeply cut leaf. No signs of any pests so far. should brighten up any corner.