Snap @GardenerSuze! I was just going to suggest a lavender blue hardy geranium instead of lavender which, as others have said, would struggle in clay soil. I know, I’ve tried it, even digging in loads of grit and compost didn’t work.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
I'd be wary of picking a Photinia. North facing site, in clay, even with some sun, isn't ideal. I don't know where the OP is, but she'd have to be in a warmer part of the country for it to thrive and look decent. In colder, wetter areas, they get really manky with black spot etc. Pale colours and whites are always the best for that kind of aspect too. It's why they're so good for any shady sites.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
With your standard Viburnum tinus as the centrepiece, I'd try to create a geometric look in that bed with four low evergreens like Euonymus Green Spire arranged in a square and then use hardy geraniums as infillers, adding some spring bulbs in Autumn. I'd also top the bed with some washed pebbles (the Scottish ones look nice!).
The Euonymus can be left to grow as spires or it can be pruned like box into domes, cubes or whatever you prefer. As an alternative to Euonymus, a low evergreen ornamental grass like Stipa/Nassella tenuissima would add movement and interest.
@rebeccajwright90 We do have problems in this part of the country with spots on leaves of Photinia but it is more in the winter months. Viburnham is not without it's problems thanks to the Viburnham Beetle. Sadly more plants seem to have issues probably due to stressful growing conditions. It is important to find the right plant for the conditions you have and look at the pros and cons because it will be expensive to buy. The Viburnham flowers all through the winter months then plain green for rest of year, what you plant at the base could then be seasonal. I mentioned a blue geranium which would work well with the red of the Photinia .As explained I would take a different approach with the Viburnham. Nassella is lovely and contemporary but needs fierce drainage.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@rebeccajwright90 - be aware that standardised shrubs are usually grafted onto a rootstock which makes them more vulnerable to damage from high winds or very cold winter nights. However, a standard will certainly give you space for spring bulbs and other underplanting.
Hardy geraniums will do well there and come in a range of blues and whites and even blue with white centres. Don't get them confused with tender pelargoniums which many people still call geraniums.
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)."
@rebeccajwright90, the reference to box was to the plant, Buxus sempervirens - you can prune the Euonymus as you would box. Place them as you like, have a trial run while they are still in their pots to see which arrangement you prefer. I'd do something like this:
Posts
Pale colours and whites are always the best for that kind of aspect too. It's why they're so good for any shady sites.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The Euonymus can be left to grow as spires or it can be pruned like box into domes, cubes or whatever you prefer. As an alternative to Euonymus, a low evergreen ornamental grass like Stipa/Nassella tenuissima would add movement and interest.
The Viburnham flowers all through the winter months then plain green for rest of year, what you plant at the base could then be seasonal. I mentioned a blue geranium which would work well with the red of the Photinia .As explained I would take a different approach with the Viburnham. Nassella is lovely and contemporary but needs fierce drainage.
Hardy geraniums will do well there and come in a range of blues and whites and even blue with white centres. Don't get them confused with tender pelargoniums which many people still call geraniums.
Euonymus Euonymus
Viburnum
Euonymus Euonymus
Hope that helps!