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Ideas please
Well, its that time of year, where the garden is looking very bare. I am getting rather depressed, due to lots of empty areas on my border! I do have some evergreen plants, but not many.
So my question to you guys...
Are there any small, hardy evergreen plants, that could fill in my empty spaces, on my border.? Its a bit shady, too.
Now the bedding plants have died a death, I need something to do! Thanks all.
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Yes - plenty Kathy. I use Euonymous for awkward areas - plenty of choices, and good for brightening shady areas because of their foliage.
Gaultherias - I have a small, prostrate one , but there are bigger varieties too. They have small white flowers (like a Pieris) followed by berries. The dwarf one has nice tints at this time of year too. Pachysandra - spreading evergreen with white flowers.
There are evergreen ferns too - the Hart's Tongue fern - Asplenium, is ideal.
There's a few of the Cryptomerias which don't get very big. You'll sometimes get them in supermarkets etc. around Christmas time - sold as little Christmas trees.
Heucheras are very useful evergreen perennials for shade, as long as the soil isn't too dry. They grow best in damper soil. There are loads of foliage colours.
Hope that's a few ideas to start with
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hellebores like partial shade, and flower in late winter.
Fabulous,i am off to the garden centre tomorrow.I hate this time of years everything stops growing!
Saying that, my creeping phlox are flowering! Oh and my pink heather is lovely
I think every garden needs evergreens...they act as a good backdrop for the pretty stuff....spring bulbs etc.
My suggestions for small gardens......
1.Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=leucothoe+axillaris+curly+red&rlz=1C1GNAM_en-GBGB687GB687&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjggtn1kvDWAhWBRBoKHXCsCTIQ_AUICygC&biw=1536&bih=759
2. Ilex meservaea Little Rascal.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ilex+meserveae+little+rascal&rlz=1C1GNAM_en-GBGB687GB687&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiWiOS4k_DWAhWFuBoKHZmFBMQQ_AUICigB&biw=1536&bih=759
3.. Sarcococca...with tiny very scented flowers in winter...plant near a front/or back door.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=sarcococca&rlz=1C1GNAM_en-GBGB687GB687&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiE6-zkk_DWAhUMU1AKHW21AzsQ_AUICigB&biw=1536&bih=759
4. Pieris japonica Little Heath Green.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=pieris+japonica+little+heath+green&rlz=1C1GNAM_en-GBGB687GB687&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi11ZeTlPDWAhWCK1AKHVWBAEQQ_AUICigB&biw=1536&bih=759
Brilliant, I'm spoilt for choice!
I've got a super little plant that came with the house and I'd never seen it before. It's Anthemis punctata, low growing, grey-green foliage which is faintly aromatic and lasts all year round and in late spring it's covered in daisy flowers the size of a 2p coin. I've found it ridiculously easy to propagate from cuttings. As long as it has a bit of sun it's happy.
Looks lovely. We totally gutted ours this year. It's quite new still, but I love shrubs. Sadly when they die off, it's very bleak. The plants I have are still small, except the fatsia and buddlia.
There are a lot of low growing shrubs or semi evergreen perennials to keep the border looking full and adding height and form in the autumn to winter time. Other members have suggested a lot of nice shrubs. For more free draining soils in sun, you could grow silvery tones to brighten the borders.
Artemisia 'Powis Castle'. Nice finely cut foliage. Phlomis Fructicosa adds height and form with flower-heads lasting up to winter. Brachygiottis 'Sunshine' has lovely rounded silvery leaves. If left un-pruned, they can grow to around a meter in height. Very adaptable soils and can tolerate a bit of shade too.
For more moist and heavier soils especially in some shade, Daphne Translantica 'Eternal Fragrance' can form a nice low mound that has a very long flowering season. Adding clump forming strappy leaves all year round can also add interest. Liriope Muscaris are very useful and in autumn, blue flowers appear over a very long period add some colour too.
Many thanks for all of your suggestions.
I went to the garden centre, and spend £45, with 20% off all shrubs. I bought a shallow pot, and a few alpines, and have done a nice little display with those.
Well, it was 5 for £10, so would have been rude not to!
Im still looking for the Ilex little rascal as I love the berries from hollies.
I split some plants, as there were more than one in some pots, so they have gone further than I thought!
Borderline wrote "For more moist and heavier soils especially in some shade, Daphne Translantica 'Eternal Fragrance' can form a nice low mound that has a very long flowering season."
Daphne x transatlantica ‘Eternal Fragrance’ can be a problematic species but when it is established makes a lovely plant. One of my favourite plants in my garden see http://www.rezeau.org/wp-garden/en/daphne-x-transatlantica-eternal-fragrance-2/
See also this forum thread at http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/plants/daphne/663026-2.html/