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Best tree/shrub for front of house?

sjdsozsjdsoz Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Our house is at the bottom of a cul-de-sac turning point, thus a focal point. The front of house presents a bland display of cars and concrete from inside and out so I'm after something to break this up from both perspectives.

Year round interest is top priority, though sadly we are restricted to containers. 

It is an East-facing aspect. To balance need for impact without imposing I would suggest between 4 and 6ft height (max), wide spread welcome. I had considered a mahonia but husband not keen.

I'm slightly outside my comfort zone with such a limited list of specifications so any suggestions gratefully received.

Posts

  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    The most commonly planted mahonia is Mahonia x media 'Charity' which has spiny leaves and grows into a plant several metres wide and high in the right circumstances. This could be what puts your husband off the idea.

    An option you could look at is Mahonia 'Soft Caress' (it's full Latin name is so lengthy I haven't written it). This Mahonia attains a height and spread of around 1m, which meets your size requirements. The foliage is soft, not spiny, so not chance of snagging yourself on it even if it's relatively close to the front door. It flowers towards the end of the summer.

    You should be able to find it in a decent-sized garden centre.
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Welcome to the forum 
    How many containers are you thinking of?
    For a tree or shrub you do need large ones.
    Definitely no to Mahonia very spikey plants.
    If you get the morning sun that might rule out a camilia as the flowers can get frosted and turn brown if the sun catches them first thing..
    If you can post a photo it does help.  
  • sjdsozsjdsoz Posts: 2
    Hi rachel and K67.

    Thank you for your responses. I hadn't considered the soft mahonia so that's great. Yes, camellia lovely but not in this spot.

    I'd like one container for ease.

    The space is gravelled and sits to the side of the front door, measuring approx 1.8m squared, hence  wide spread is ok.

    We are long-term tenants so I have been given some flexibility in the back garden, but unfortunately not in this front space so the gravel has to stay.
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    edited February 2021
    I have a couple of soft caress mahonias, not the most interesting plant. They are pretty boring really and dislike windy spots which turns the leaves brown although they do recover. Slow growing as well.
    https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/eight-trees-to-grow-in-pots/
     Perhaps a climbing rose and obelisk and/or  a clematis if your container is large enough and group of pots with bulbs and winter/spring bedding placed in front.
    Phormium look good in pots but no idea the aspect they need, so how much sun does this space get?
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I've been thinking about what to plant in planters next to my north-facing front door.
    Top of the list atm is Sarcococca Ghorepani
    Apart from a fabulous name I think it will be well-suited to the position and the winter fragrance will be very welcome.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • TeTe Posts: 193
    Magnolia tree, they can grow quite big if left unpruned though, flowers before the actual foliage appears , there are several varieties, we had a Magnolia Soulangeana in a large 50ltr pot which eventually we had to remove and plant into the ground, i say we, it was actually our grandson who spent the best part of the morning digging a new home for the plant
    "There are a terrible lot of lies going about the world, and the worst of it is that half of them are true"
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