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Selecting shrubs for my new front bed

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I'm in the planning stages for the bed at the southeast corner of my house. I'm trying to avoid thinking too small, and I have the luxury of expanding the bed out from the house as much as I want or need to. Most of it is solidly part sun verging on full sun, with some of it being shaded in the later afternoon. My priority is to install "bones" that can be expanded on later with perennials and grasses as I gradually enlarge the front beds, and I like nice smells and to attract butterflies and birds. I'm in Pacific Northwest z8.

All that said, my shrub list at the moment is:

Evergreen huckleberry Vaccinium ovatum

Variegated redosier dogwood (probably in a cluster)

Choisya/Mexican orange

Red cotinus

Azalea, specifically an older deciduous azalea already in the bed that has pretty bark and form in the winter, so I'll move it as necessary

Possibly dwarf pyracantha and blue star spruce

My difficulty is I would really like some fall color, even if just one shrub's worth, and I don't think I have anything that would provide it. Any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated, thanks.

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Comments (5)

laceyvail 6A, WV
9 years ago
The Cotinus should provide fall color.
bogturtle
9 years ago
Fothergilla woud be my choice. Some are dwarf. Mine are at the edge of he wood, but they do grow into a nice shape, if not crowded.
There are also some dwarf growing Nandina, like 'Fire Power' and 'Harbor Dwarf' that color nicely, even into winter.
Fothergilla 'Mt Airey'
And even more brilliant in real life.
http://bogturtlesgarden.blogspot.com/
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Thanks for the input! Bullthistle, I definitely get you about the odd numbered groupings, but with 2 areas 10*11', I don't think I can get any variety if I go in 3s, know what I mean? I can fit 3 dwarf shrubs on each side, tops, so that'd leave me with all dwarf evergreens (or all evergreen on one side, all deciduous on the other side, which would lose the cohesion), which don't really interest me, I want more of a broadleaf, at least for most. Well, you're right though, that's what I *should* do, I guess, but lol, it's not what I *want* to do. I hadn't considered a ground cover (just mulch), great idea, I'll look into those. Dibbit: They will definitely be actual beds, with mulch or ground cover, rather than just plopped into lawn, I agree. Maybe I'll try to photoshop myself a picture, just to see if, at random bloom times, my ideas might look half-way cohesive due to color-scheme and/or textures and leaf sizes. Thanks so much for the input. :)
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Kristin
Original Author
9 years ago
*takes notes* Thanks!
PRO
Greener Living Solutions Inc
9 years ago
I suggest considering the shapes of the plants, and overall foliage colors as part of your process. Most of ones you listed are more mounded in shape or looser shape. Include some plants with contrasting foliage or more upright, such as 'Bluepoint' juniper. Consider fine foliage again larger leaf for max impact. Pyracantha is known to have some disease issues in the PNW so check on the variety prior to buying. The cotinus has great fall color, agreed. If there is not too much reflected sun, a Japanese maple will give you great fall color. Lots of choices in terms of size/ shapes in this species. Best, Joanna
Kristin
Original Author
9 years ago
Hm, maybe a dwarf Hinoki cypress or juniper 'Moonglow'? I prefer looser, less formal shapes, especially for conifers.

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