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Front lawn area of mulch - ideas

STUARTDAUWALDERSTUARTDAUWALDER Posts: 4
in Plants
I was hoping to get some ideas for an area of mulch, around 8 feet square, outside my house.  I bought the house with some rather dead shrubs and wanted to add something nicer.  Ideally for year round, with maybe 6-8 plants in total.  It is quite open, so I don't want huge plants, but something nice to look at.  Thanks in advance for any help.

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Do you know why the shrubs had died? What is the soil you are planting into? sand, clay or loam?  Is it in shade or sun for most of the day?
  • STUARTDAUWALDERSTUARTDAUWALDER Posts: 4
    It is a new build house, so the shrubs weren't anything special and not any I would choose myself.  I believe it'd be clay, and most of the day it would be in the sun.  Thanks
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    As it's a new build, the topsoil might be a thinnish layer put down over compacted subsoil, rubble and goodness knows what else.  It's probably worth having a dig down and investigating before you decide on replacement planting (you could take out the dead plants at the same time).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Before you do anything, improve the soil.   Dig it over and remove any rubble, roots, unwanted plants.   Go down at least a spade's depth but more would be better as you need to loosen up the soil to improve drainage.  Then layer on masses of soil improver such as well-rotted manure and compost.  You can buy this from DIY stores if you don't have any or pick up some muck at a local stables.

    Then plant things you like and that are suited to your house, soil and aspect.   Water them well before planting and again afterwards.   Use microrhizal fungae at planting time, applied directly to the roots which you tease out first.  When the whole bed is planted to your satisfaction, rake the surface level, water the whole thing and then layer on a mulch of chipped bark or whatever will look best with your house.  
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Can you provide a photo of the proposed site?
    Devon.
  • STUARTDAUWALDERSTUARTDAUWALDER Posts: 4
    Should be attached.  Thanks
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