Small shrub suggestions?

My daughter and son-in-law have just bought their first house, at 26, with full time careers they're not exactly 'into' gardening and just want something 'fairly low maintenance with a bit of interest'. The back of their house faces north; the garden is (at present) just a 50' x 40' rectangle of grass with a 6' fence all the way round it and dry, sandy soil. This year they're planning on digging some borders and beginning to improve the soil as well as adding a few annuals and bedding plants for a 'quick fix'.

What they really want are some 'small/lowish growing shrubs' that won't take over - I've got some Euonymus and Hypericum cuttings ready for them to plant and have suggested perhaps Spirea.

Any other suggestions would be gratefully received - any colour, evergreen, deciduous, flowering or non-flowering, all is good, just nothing too rampant!

 

Sarracocca is great - slow growing, evergreen and fragrant blooms in January/February.

 

small hebes are nice too but just make they are the small slow growing ones as some hebes get huge. hope this helps.

willow

 

There are also short Hydranges. Have one in my garden, only grows to 4 foot, but of course you can trim it. There are also heath and heathers if you have enough sun, a good mix variety of them ensures you blooms even in the dead of winter, and all year gives a variety of color.

 

Hi Fidgetsmum. here are Two that may interest you. Daphne Tangutica ,slow growing,easy.
flowers in early summer. red berries,and many daphnes are renowned for the scent of their flowers. only grows max 3 ft.
Cistus "Elma" papery flowers open in the morning and fall in the evening. more appearing each day in summer. only grows max 4 ft.

 

lots of good suggestions there

 

I would add Japanese Azaleas to the above list.

 

Doesn`t matter, just mix in sedge peat or ericaceous compost at planting time.

 

My thanks for all the suggestions - good job we gave them gardening vouchers as part of their 'new home' present!

 

My favourite is the Salvia hotlips and if I can't kill it it must be tough.
Looks stunning in summer.

Cheers
D

 

I've got one of those too - I feel another cutting taking session coming on ... well not just yet, but soon.