Acer? Maybe?

I have a small wall that divides the patio and the grass areas in my garden, its about three courses of bricks high, and has a small border in the middle of it which is about one brick length in width; at the moment, it is filled with grape hyacinth that seem to be 'blind' this year (so just a tousled mess of green growth at the minute), a penstemon is also buried in there somewhere, a couple of red cordylines and a conifer at one end.

Both the conifer and the cordylines are getting too big now, and something needs to give really. In amongst all of this, there is also old tree stumps (goodness knows what kind of trees) which makes planting the border up each year a bit of a pain.

Now, just to add another layer - I really don't like cordylines, so I am needing no persuasion to get shot of them - the conifer may well get a reprieve from death, but is likely to get a trim (and I will be seeking advice how to proceed if I choose that as the preferred option).

I am of a mind to rip the whole lot out, and I mean the lot - - - I have a plunge cutter that I could use along with a drill and a couple of crowbars to cut/burst out the majority of the remnants of the tree stumps. I would like to save the penstemon, but not sure if I can even find it in amongst the green mess that currently exists

Once clear, I could then fill the border with new compost and plant it up, however to bring back some structure and to give some winter interest, I was wondering about getting a low-ish shrub such as an acer (one of the red or purpley ones maybe)? Or am I barking up the wrong shrub tree?

 

I did look at the red stemmed dogwood, but wasn't too sure about how big they can get? There is not a single bloom or bud in sight, so I essentially have a thick grassy-like mess. I am not a fan of the hyacinths either really, and haven't exactly been nice to them.

I am not overly fussed about the winter interest as such, more putting a wee bit of structure back in after taking the cordylines out, if that makes sense?

 

I like Crocus too @Val.. - in fact, I could spend a fortune on their site.

 

Oooh, Garnet looks nice. Needs a bit of thought this decision

 

Hi Sam, I knew you'd be able to come up with an answer.