Shrubs (new project)

Hello all.

I am new to this forum as well as gardening. I recently moved to a new place and the garden have plenty of grass as well as having five huge cocker trees (which meaning there are some heavy shade area)

However, there is about 6 foot wide border all the way around the garden.

The soil is very good. That is the upside and the downside, I am an owner of five young dogs who love to play! Which is why shrubs are a must.

I have narrowed down to a few but there are so many different types and if possible, I would love to have colours all year around and they must not be toxic to dogs.

Here is my list;

Berberis (barberry)
Buddleia (bCautterfly Bush)
Cevatostigma (hardy plumbago)
Choisya (mexican orange blossom)
Cornus (dogwood)
Elaeagnus (oleaster)
Garrya (silk tassel bush)
Hypericum (St John wart)
Lavandula (Lavender)
Mahonia
Yucca


Heavy Shade Plants;
Aucuba Japonica
Camellia Species
Hypericum Calycimurf
Lonicera Nitida
Mahonia Aquifolium
Vinca Species

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

No. 1 suggestion - get yourself a good , strong leaf blower , u r going to need it !!!!!!!! : )

 

Haha - thank you! I have already learnt that the hard way!

(by recently, I meant about a year but in my defense, the house needed a lot of work!)

 

anyone?

 

Hi I've never had a dog so have no experience of them in a garden; I did find this on a website;

"Dog-Proof Plant Choices:

It is not uncommon for dogs to investigate and trot around plants. But there are things you can do to minimize potential damage. Start by planting sturdy plants that can withstand most doggie play.

* Some attractive, vigorous plants include peony, creeping phlox, verbena, coneflower, black-eyed Susans, Shasta daisy, Liriope, Russian sage, Mexican primrose. Other plants that resist breakage include serviceberry, ninebark, mock orange, dogwood, lilac, pine, butterfly bush and quince.

* Tough shrubs include escallonia, laurel, Pieris, evergreen huckleberry and viburnum.

* Salt-tolerant groundcovers that thrive near the ocean or in alkaline deserts and do well in full sun.

* Thorned and prickly bushes such as barberry and hollies will discourage some dogs. But for safety's safe, do not plant varieties with long, sharp thorns or points, such as yucca, because they might injure a dog's eyes.

* A mulch that's uncomfortable or uneasy to walk on can discourage pet traffic. One good choice is a thick carpet of pine cones. "

Hope this gets you started..

Also the plants on your list seem fine; I would just be carefull of the thorns on the berberis and the spines on the yucca..:thumb: