Newbie Question - Plant suggestions

Hello,

I have a small piece of garden (12' - 3') at the front of my house that currently contains a number of rose bushes. I'm looking to remove these bushes and plant something different in there this year. Being a total newbie when it comes to gardening, I'm looking for some advice on the best things to grow in this area. I'm not one for flowers and so am looking to plant shrubs and maybe one very small tree. Can anyone recommend any easy to maintain plants/shrubs or any websites that offer such suggestions.

Thanks

Michael

 

Hi Michael,

I imagine if the roses are growing well you will probably have neutral to mildly acidic, but for the life of me I can`t imagine why you would take out roses that are doing well-but that`s just my personal preference. What is yours? Which plants do you like the look of?

As Marley says, whats the light like on the bed? is it sunniest in the morning or afternoon, is it S, W,E or N facing?

 

"for the life of me I can`t imagine why you would take out roses that are doing well-but that`s just my personal preference"

I have to say that that was my though too ... long flowering season, show-y, scent ... down side is that they look best if pampered a bit - particularly to kill the bugs and black-spot

... I had a front bed of This and That and it always looks tatty, or uninteresting, for a large part of the year. I've replaced it with Topiary so that it will look consistently smart all year, albeit without any changing interest.

 

I was going to suggest topiary too-a mini box parterre would look stunning in that space and apart from clipping, not too heavy on the maintenance.

That is if you aren't persuaded to keep the roses (I would keep them as well!)

 

Hi Michael, I would go for 2 standard box lolliepops one at each end of your plot and in between I would plant one of the folowing low growing hedges . A dwarf Lavender maybe Hidcote if the plot gets a good bit of sun or if you have a shaded plot I would go for a Japanese Skimmia hedge.

 

Evening, Michael, and welcome. I have a similar border in front of my house. I`m growing a Viburnum Onondaga, a Corylus contorta, Olearia x haastii and a Feijoa sellowiana.:gnthb:

 

Hello

Thanks for all the responses. To answer the questions, the garden faces west, so picks up a good amount of sunshine in the afternoon. The garden runs alongside a pavement, but is fairly sheltered. I have a preference for plants that don't have to much colour (other than green).

Hope this helps

Michael

 

Hello and welcoem Michael thought you would like to see this http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/sh...ri-var.-giraldii-profusion/itemno.PL00000954/

I bought one and it arrived just Christmas week still to plant it but ground is so hard for now.

Also like Christmas box and Rhodenrums ,Vibernum there are so many and container planting.

Good luck in what you choose.

 

What about a nice variegated Holly? Simple, but being evergreen it keeps its colour all year round. Maybe a couple of Rosemary bushes too, again for the year round foliage but also for the fragrance and to provide a contrasting shape to the Holly. Plus you can use the Rosemary to add a whole new dimension to the flavour of the likes of roasties, lamb chops and pasta sauces.

 

Hello,

Thanks everyone for the replies to my post. There are a number of suggestions that I think will work well. When I've decided on what to plant I will let you know.

Michael