What can I grow here?

kimmee

Hi everyone

In my front garden (which is laid mainly to gravel) I have 3 ft square bed that used to have a tired old shrub which I had dug out last year.

I now want to plant something that will give year round interest, will grow to about 6 feet (no more or I won't be able to prune it if neccesary - I'm only little!!). It can be a small tree or a shrub but perferably something a bit colourful and something that will give a little privacy too.

The garden is east facing so gets sunshine from early morning to about 1pm.

Can anyone suggest anything please? (hopefully not too expensive either!)

Thanks

zarazara

I spirea would be nice

amcluesent

I'd put in an 2m obelisk to give some immediate height interest then plant with a semi-climbing rose like 'iceberg', some sweet-peas for this year, a clematis like 'arctic queen' and maybe a star jasmine if you're in a sheltered spot.

kimmee

zarazara wrote: »

I spirea would be nice

Thanks zarazara - yeah, I like the bridal wreath spirea and I will certainly bear that in mind but I have one round the side of my house so I'd maybe like something different. I also have buddleias, pyracanthas and a lavender hedge. Oh and something large, evergreen which produces lovely white flowers (as well as the spirea) which I don't know what it's called!

kimmee

amcluesent wrote: »

I'd put in an 2m obelisk to give some immediate height interest then plant with a semi-climbing rose like 'iceberg', some sweet-peas for this year, a clematis like 'arctic queen' and maybe a star jasmine if you're in a sheltered spot.

Thanks amcluesent - thats a really good idea about the obelisk. I think it would be too windy for the star jasmine as I'm in a fairly exposed plot which is a shame as it looks lovely. The climbing rose is a good idea, as is the clematis.

mrbadexample

I'd stick a gooseberry bush in it. It won't look much in the winter, but you'll get food from it in the summer. Gooseberry pie... :drool:

conradmum

A Japanese quince would give you flowers in the spring and fruit in the autumn (which can be made into jam I think, though I've never tried it). Hebes are evergreen, flower and are easy to maintain or one of the rosa rugosa varieties would give you strongly scented flowers in the summer and hips in the autumn.

I agree spirea or viburnum would be good choices too.

kimmee

Thanks everyone for their suggestions - conradsmum I love the japanese quince and the rosa rugosa so I just have to decide which one it's to be

Many thanks for your help

westiea

Buxus sempervirens - Box topiary (pyramid?)
Choisya ternata 'Sundance' - Mexican Orange Blossom (yellow leaved variety - clip to size)
Hypericum - St John's Wort
Perovskia atricifolia - Russian Sage
Rosemary 'Miss Jessop's Upright (nice tight variety)
Standard grafted trees eg. Bay tree, Holly tree, or if you want to break the bank - a standard Wisteria!
Magnolia 'Stellata' - gets a bit bigger than you stated but i love it!