Help with project.

Hi all

I have been asked by my manager at work if I could do anything with two large planting areas,all costs covered. I already have an idea of what plants to put in but the input of others is always very helpful. This is where all your knowledge and knowhow will help.I would like an evergreen background with tall flowering shrubs, 5 to 6 feet ideally, coming down to a second shorter level, 3 /4 feet high,with density and flowers and finally a lower level with all year round greenery and seasonal flowers from spring right up to first frost ,1 to 2 feet. Some edging plants that will spill over would be good. Above all,low maintenance and eyecatching as the planters are in a very public place and will be seen by hundreds of people every day I have a budget of up to £300. Pictures of the planters below will give you an idea of what I am looking for. Many thanks in advance and I will keep you updated on progress. :thmb:

The planters are 7 feet long,3 feet wide and 2 feet deep.

 

hi what direction do they face?

 

Escallonia would make a good background, Then there`s Daphne mezereum, Sarcococca, Japanese Azaleas, Hebes, Aubretia, Alyssum saxatile and London Pride.:gnthb:

 

The planters are west facing.

 

If they are for "show" - e.g. front of office, rather than back-of-car-park - I would change the plants at different times of the year, otherwise there is little interest except when they are flowering.

Some stately evergreens over the winter - Holly standards perhaps, under planted with bulbs for the spring, and some biennials like Wallflowers along the front - and then replace with something colourful in the Summer - standard Fuchsias at the back, Lobeilia hanging over the front, Petunias and so on to fill in - like a giant hanging basket!

I would pressure wash the white stone (or paint it if it isn't stone).

Is there any water nearby, or will irrigation be a nightmare?

 

I agree with Kristen a evergreen standard tree like a Holly would be perfect and underplanted each season with bedding plants.
Winter flowering pansies would be my choice for this coming Autumn.
Red or yellow tulips and For-get-me-nots for Spring looks very nice indeed.
Hel.xxx.

 

what an interesting project your manager has given u look forward to seeing what u come up with

 

Thanks all for your input.
Phase one completed yesterday. Took two of us 3 hours to weed out,forty minutes of which was spent wrestling a large stump.
As regards water supply Kristen, there is a hosepipe nearby