What would look good next to pittosporum Tom Thumb

MrsAtobe

We have a small border, currently grass to the one side of the front door. It's under the dining room window so quite sheltered and east facing.

I had a pittosporum Tom Thumb in the last garden and quite fancy another one for this bed. http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3842

I also want to put in some nemesia, which I love for the scent, but I haven't decided which one yet.

What do you think would look better with the plants above, this viburnum cross:
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=4293

Or this sarcococca?
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=1786

I can't make up my mind, but I am more than open to other suggestions. Thanks in advance.

Davesnave

For evergreen small shrubs, you could have a contrast using any one of the well-behaved hebes, or perhaps osmanthus burkwoodii. The osmanthus might need more pruning than you'd want to do eventually though.

For non-evergreens, I could see potentilla fruticosa 'Abbotswood' or 'Primrose Beauty' working OK.

sobie

I completely agree with Dave, both Hebes (something like Sutherlandii would work well) and Osmathus will cope with the dry soil. Osmanthus is very underated imo.

How about a white lavender (Edelweiss) the flower stems will spike up giving a bit of texture contrast.

I like silver leaf plants in with dark leaf ones so how about Convolvulus Cneorum.

If its really sheltered then how about Cistus x aguilarii ‘Maculatus’ its tender, but this dwarf cistus has white flowers with maroon blotch. the blotch would pick out the purple of the Pittosporum.

I'd go for Nemesia 'Berries & Cream' - the darker violet hue will contrast with the pittosporum and the cream will pick up whatever shrub you choose.

MrsAtobe

Thanks both, I ended up wandering around our local garden centre with the pittosporum under my arm and nearly bought another one, a variagated one, but then I saw Hebe first light, which has a similar colour on the tips at the moment, so I got that. .

When I got them back, and put them on the border, I've underestimated how big it is, so I'll have a look at the convolvulus. I didn't particularly want lavender or cistus, as the developers have put them every where on the estate, but I may have to overcome my reluctance on that one

I'll wait to see what nemesia I get, once the GC has them in, I did think about Wisely vanilla, but the scent makes me hungry, but will certainly look at/smell the berries and cream.