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Front Garden:; What plant? Do I Change?

Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
in Plants
Builder planted this bed early Autumn last year, I'm afraid I don't know what the plants are, but think I remember that their leaves were variegated. Sorry there's not much to go on at this time :/

The area is roughly 2x1 metre. It's West facing so it'll have noon to evening sun on it.

What would you do? Leave as is? Replace all the plants with more 'pretty' plants? Remove some plants to create more of a colourful interest? 

Whatever I do, I'd like to soften the edges with plants. 

Thanks for any help and ideas.




Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
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  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I think they are a type of cornus aka dogwood, primarily grown for the winter stem colour. 
    You can certainly add to them or take them out, it's your garden now  :)
    I would definitely at least add to them, maybe pollinators such as lavender. 
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    Is that the only bed you have to plant flowers Jenny_Aster? 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    Uff said:
    Is that the only bed you have to plant flowers Jenny_Aster? 
    No @Uff, I've got the back garden to fill with plants too when £s allow ;), so the plants won't be wasted. 

    Thanks @AnniD I'd be pleased if they are dogwood, it's on my bucket list to learn to weave baskets  :p
    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    That's good then. Time to look round and decide how to want to create your garden Jenny. Bet you can't wait for spring. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Not the bonniest display, but then - builders do what's easiest, and Cornus are readily available to them. I wouldn't want an entire bed filled with them though.
    What kind of planting do you like? That's the starting point. Plenty of things will be happy enough there, but it'll be predominantly shady nearer the house. The front might get a bit but it'll depend on the height of the house and the overall length of the bed. I'd look for plants which will be happy with semi shade, and there are plenty of those, from spring bulbs and hardy geraniums, to Polemonium and Brunnera, depending on moisture and soil etc. You might want some evergreens too, to give winter interest   :)
    You'll need to be able to access that drain too. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I'd fill the space beneath them with little blue scillas for next spring ... they'll be blooming before the cornus leaves come out. 
    As for other plants, it really depends on how much time you want to spend tending the front garden ... some folk prefer to concentrate on their back gardens and have a front garden that is simpler and involves less of their time. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I would leave them for the moment, see how they do through the year. Concentrate on the back garden. If by autumn you really don't like the shrubs then dig them up and plant something you like.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    It's good that you are into basket weaving, as you'll need to cut these regularly to keep their size in check. I would probably move them into the back garden, and plant something with more year round attraction in the front garden bed, e.g. low growing evergreens that would spill over the edges a bit, perhaps with a taller specimen shrub in the middle.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    edited January 2022
    I designed a front bed for a neighbour a few years ago, and one of the shrubs l used was Nandina. You may like to take a look at those, just be sure to look at varieties such as "Obsession" or "Firepower" as they are lower growing than the straightforward Nandina domestica.
    I don't know whether to be pleased or not that his Nandina look better than mine !
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    Nandina Domesitca looks to be a great idea, I do love plants that change colour in Autumn. It would also be a good contrast against the yellow brickwork and pavers. Planted in the middle it would provide a bit of privacy by the front door, from one side of the street.

    I'm also toying with having a climber, grown to soften the corner, except I don't want to go to the trouble of balancing on a ladder to tidy it up. Roots close to the drain is a huge consideration. I used to have a Virginia creeper in a previous house, it was kept tidy by having the stems cut in a straight line every winter, my height (which is smaller than what's classed as 'normal') set the height it was cut. Grown in a pot, sunk into the ground' to protect the drain could work?  I don't think Virginia Creepers damage the mortar between the brickworks.... but I'll stand to be corrected. 

    A few lavender, aubretia, and yellow sedum plants to fill in spaces. 

    I must remember to plant a goodly amount of Spring bulbs in the Autumn, including Scillas. 

    Thank you for your help and suggestions :) 

    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
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