low lying architectural planting

tired_dad

Hiya, need some ideas for quality architectural planting in a prominent position at front of house. However due to the layout nothing growing tall will do. Up to 0.5m should be OK.  I was thinking some grasses, phormiums and possibly yucca but need some inspiration.  Low maintenance would be helpful

Thanks for any ideas

Davesnave

I don't understand  exactly what is being aimed at here as most planned planting tends to mimic certain plant associations, such as Mediterranean, Alpine, Prairie, Rainforest etc. If you just have a vague idea like 'architectural plants' you may end up mixing associations and the result could lack coherence; a bit like filling a room with furniture from completely different eras.

I'm also not clear on what an 'architectural' plant is, but I suppose it could be one that has bold form and draws the eye, like the phormium you mention. The trouble is, phormiums generally end up at least twice as high as you specify, and sometimes twice that! Some plants can be restricted by pruning, but not phormiums or yuccas.

I would guess that you'd want most plants to be there all the time making a statement, but don't forget that like musical performers, to stand out, your 'star' plants need backing singers too. For example an area covered by prostrate juniper will always be there as a foil to whatever taller and bolder plant you put beside it, covering the bare earth and maintaining continuity when the star plant may not be at its best.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing what others think are architectural yet low growing plants.I'll start with Viburnum davidii, but then I would, wouldn't I?

goldfinches

For earth cover all year round my vote goes to this campanula which has the odd one or two flowers even at this time of year and never loses its leaves Campanula poscharskyana (Serbian Bellflower) (gardenia.net) and it scrambles up through anything taller so makes other things look good too. Bees love it as well, especially bumbles.

sheramber

What direction is the bed and what type of soil?

theoretica

How much maintenance do you want to put in? You mention grasses, but they need cutting back once a year, is that low maintenance enough?  Cotoneasters and hebes come to my mind.

greenbee

Cotoneaster Franchetti has recently been identified by the RHS as one of the best plants for dealing with pollution, so depending on how busy the road is, you might want to consider it.

[Deleted User]

That's interesting @greenbee , i've always grown them because their berries are so loved by birds - aswell as being a good hedge !

OP, a bit more detail is needed, as already alluded to.
What size area are we talking about, width and depth ??
Orientation.
Soil type and ph.
Evergreen or deciduous ?
Flowering or no ?

Architectural plants can be varied, what appearance, colour, effects do you see there ???

Successful planting (where you don't waste your hard earned money, not to mention time and effort) mostly comes about through plenty of forethought so don't be too vague.

KittenChops

goldfinches said:

For earth cover all year round my vote goes to this campanula which has the odd one or two flowers even at this time of year and never loses its leaves Campanula poscharskyana (Serbian Bellflower) (gardenia.net) and it scrambles up through anything taller so makes other things look good too. Bees love it as well, especially bumbles.

I have loads of this campanula - I bought one from a garden centre 3-4 years ago that was half price, divided it into 4 new plants & kept dividing & dividing over time.  I must have at least 30-40 individual plants now, and that's after giving loads away.  It's the easiest plant to take cuttings from - even a small bit of it will root given a chance, and I've seen it produce leaves from bits of root that grow out of the bottoms of pots.  We even have it sprouting out between sleepers in one of the raised beds.  Am now thinking I should have kept it confined to pots!

tired_dad

thanks. agree, I need to think this through more. By architectural I was meaning things with structure as opposed to waves of flowers etc.  I will ponder this more 

[Deleted User]

I'd go with your ideas of Phormiums then, aswell as the numerous ornamental grasses that exist.
Both are available in different colour shades and could create a lovely look - these would both require a sunny and well drained location.

freyasmum

Phormiums can get enormous. 

I would have a look at hebe topiaria, it has an interesting leaf structure and can grow to 50cm. 

But, as above, you need to have a think about where the bed is, what sort of look you're going for and what the other plants are going to be.