Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2009 | Page 69

COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING
offer them this and they will move
else where or perish! This is where
a bit of evergreen comes in handy.
Leylandi, is always in the news for
the wrong reason, but as an isolated
tree or well kept hedge it is amazingly
warm. I used to be a sworn enemy of
this type of tree, but I must confess to
softening of late, even planting a few
at home. The goldfinches love them
as do blackbirds and other species.
There are, however other evergreen
options more suited to the garden that
can double as a shrub or hedge. What
they may lack in the wildlife larder
department they make up for it on the
hostelry side. They can offer all year
round privacy from neighbours and
screening of unsightly objects, scented
flowers or just winter green in your
garden!
Elaeagnus ebbingei, puts up with
most ground conditions, offering a

life

dark green leaf and small but highly
scented bell flower throughout the
summer. Olearia traversii leaves are
similar to those of an olive tr VR