Front Flower Bed Ideas

I'm a complete novice gardener recently moved into my brand new home.
We have a 1.9mx2.5m area at the front of our house which we'd like to plant some flowers/shrubs. It is south facing.
The builders have planted a few shrubs but they are not very exciting!
What would people suggest we plant there.
We are looking for a fairly low maintenance display with some all year round colour to brighten up the front of the house.

Your suggestions are most welcome.
Hope to get things planted over the Easter break if possible.

 

to the forum @Hammer2001 and congratulations on your new home!

Hmm, first thought which springs to my mind isn't what will you plant there, but, how many inches of soil do you have there before .... your spade hits builders rubble?
In which case, you may wish to give some thought on improving the soil before you invest money in plants/shrubs. If you go ahead without checking first, it may lead to disappointment if plants die (and that would not only be discouraging, but costly too).

Something else to think about before you dive in (after all, Easter is less than a fortnight away), is the "look" that you would prefer. By that I mean, do you want a contemporary look, or maybe a tropical look; country cottage? Wild?

With a South facing garden, you are off to a great start. But, you may need to think about shrubs/plants which don't mind a bit of drought conditions, because that is going to get quite hot and dry during the summer. So, things such as lavender would enjoy a spot right there, so too would a rosemary. But decide the look you want to walk up the garden path with first and then members can give you a better idea of what will fit in best

 

How about Roses or Buddleia? Both would add a little colour and are quite easy to look after.

 

I think I would go down the route of spring bulbs, sun loving perrenials for summer and autumn colour and specimen winter shrub. The soil depth, structure and acidity need establishing as this will strongly influence the choice of plants.
Have fun

 

It rather depends on what direction this bed is facing. And to some extent where in the country you are.

 

It is south facing

 

It looks as though you already have Cotoneaster. If the builders put it in I would think carefully whether you want to keep it. It's a good shrub for covering the ground but that's about all. The stems and roots soon become thick and strong and difficult to remove and although they have year round leaves, some flower in the summer and berries all winter they are a bit "supermarket car park". They also collect all of the litter which may be blowing around the neighbourhood.

On the other hand, they won't die because of dryness and they do allow spring (or anytime) bulbs to push though.

If you're looking for a shrub, Skimmea is renowned for being able to root in builders rubble and the Fragrans vaiety will give you a fabulous perfume at about this time of year (just pull off the flower heads when they finish) and you can cut it back without worries if it gets too big.

Think about herbs too. Some have flowers and others have golden leaf varieties. Oregano/Marjoram, Thymes, Lavender and pinks would probably do well as would Winter Savoury (Sariette) which in my view is seriously under rated.

 

Wouldn't be so bad but I read that twice!


Sounds perfect for Salvia and shrubby Salvia will bloom for a long time.
Salvia microphylla..............






Salvia greggii has a slightly shorter flowering period but not by much...................

 

Think we all do that from time to time.