I would really like to try them again, has anyone any tips on planting to ensure they drain in wet wheather or failing that can you suggest any silver plants that have a similar tidy form. As for those silverspeares and banksii it pays to plant them out in mid spring to early summer with as i said before gravel mix in the bottom of the hole, so that they can be established for the following winter months, but do try again, your garden will also benefit, from a course grade of sand mixed in with the top soil, hope this helps, and happy gardening. Years ago we stabilised a clay bank on County land so that it didn't slip onto the County verge that we had to mow. PS. - always enjoy a laugh at this site and wonder how you have the time to log in every day. I also enjoy this site and as for your ivy.
Sheep eat it.
Try some goats as well. They like a bit of foliage. I think the discussion on 'hedges' deserves an award for everyone's contribution was so readable. I had lots of chuckles. It worked sometimes I suprise myself.