A Selection of Ground Covering Flowering Perenial Bushes

My biggest client has been let down by a specialist planter to fix his borders. He didn't turn up, so a builder who laid a gravel track and membrane improvised in a massive border with a few small conifers and it looks a mess. Plus he laid about 2 tons of topsoil on top of a bed of couch grass, dandelions and cats ears which are resurfacing at an alarming rate. No prizes for guessing who'll be fixing that mess.

What the client wants is a mix of approx 20 flowering bushes for Spring, Summer and Autumn that provide good ground cover and grow to a good size (maybe 2 meters or so eventually). I reckon about 6 of each spread out evenly would do the trick but being a fledgling gardener (more of a lawn trimmer and grim reaper of weeds), I don't know what to suggest or where best to buy them from.

Any help from experienced gardeners in this field would be seriously appreciated.

 

Rather than have all the same height why not mix it up a little..........

LOW

Lavender, Hypericum, Hebe,
Vinca, Skimmia, Dwarf Fuchsia, Spirea, Senecio

MEDIUM

Wiegela, Caryopteris, Ribes,
Chaenomoles, Cornus, Daphne,
Fuchsia, Hydrangea, Euonymous, Azalea


TALL

Buddleia, Forsythia, Kerria,
Ceanothus, Philadelphus, Viburnum, Rhododendron, Syringa

This is just a basic list as many of these shrubs have different species of varying heights and spread.

For instance Fuchsias vary from 10" upto 8' plus.

 

Thank you very much @ Anthony Rodgers, you've given me a lot to go on.

I'll get some pics ready and present them to the chief next week.

I feel stupid as I can immediately name just about any weed as they are what I'm there to eradicate for all the other customers but their main plant names are a weakness that will be fixed... gonna have to do a lot of homework this winter. Got loads of books but the pictures are vague and it's difficult to digest so many names.

 

Take yourself off round local open gardens and nurseries during the winter months Mowerman. It's easier to take on board plants and their names if they are in front of you and not as tedious as looking at books.

 

Thanks for your advise @Sheal and it is something I'll be doing soon as well as a deeper look in the quieter months when everybody doesn't need a slice of your time.

Unfortunately, the garden owner wants the plants pronto and money is no bounds to him so a garden center visit next Sunday may be on the cards. What will be left in stock is anybody's guess. Probably better to order online.

 

Have you any local nurseries? I mean proper nurseries not garden centres. Garden centres tend to stock the more common plants, nurseries will specialise and give you more choice of plants and discounts if you visit and buy often. Many nurseries are privately owned and owners are willing to help you out the best way than can.