What is the most attractive bush/shrub in the wurld?

Bendy_House

Ok, obviously very subjective, but I have a space for a nice bush/shrub on a raised bank, and was wondering if there's anything special out there that's particularly pleasing to the eye.

Ultimate size prob around 2m high and spread. Evergreen ideal, tho' not essential (I know that would restrict things quite a bit.) And it'll be sitting against a backdrop of a dark green foliage, so something that contrasts nicely with that would be a bonus. Should get decent sun for most of the year, tho' not for the full day, and ditto over winter.

Just wondering if anyone has something that makes them go 'ooh' whenever they look at it?

Thanks.

ka7e

If you like a good contrast, Choisya ternata "Sundance" (Mexican Orange)has lime green/yellow foliage all year round. It has clusters of small fragrant white flowers in summer and sometimes a second flush later in the year.

Also Cotinus Royal Purple (Smoke bush) has striking purple/red foliage and fluffy red flowers. It is not evergreen but the leaves turn bright red before they fall in late autumn

FreeBear

Metrosideros Umbellata would be one of my Wow trees. Unfortunately, not likely to be hardy enough in most parts of the UK. Myrtus Communis is hardy down to about -10°C and has little white flowers during the summer. The leaves also smell nice when crushed. Got it growing as a hedge out front.

hangryconsumer

It might not be possible to grow the most attractive shrub in the world in a UK climate.

Viburnum is evergreen and will get to your desired height, but probably not the most attractive. If you want something contrasting, some of the spirea foliage is a very bright green, almost yellow, but not evergreen. I have a couple of choisya ternata and they really don't seem to be thriving. They are in full sun most of the day which I believe is their preferred condition so I'm guessing they don't like the clay soil.

deannagone

I love Camellias, the red flowers are wonderful but they prefer erricaceous soil (I have clay soil and use erricaceous compost and fertiliser), both shrubs thriving.  The only problem for you is I think they prefer partial shade not bright sunlight. Camellias flower late autumn early spring.

Gers

As a non-gardener (i.e. no idea) I've been genuinely gobsmacked by the beautiful azaleas this year.  From a gorgeous scarlet to a bright yellow they are all in full bloom here (west coast of Scotland), mostly trained into big huge globes, it's such a joy to drive past them.  As they are related to rhododendrons I wouldn't want to plant one but really enjoy seeing them in other gardens. 

Woolsery

Rather than plump for one, I'm giving you a list, although the one I spotted in a crematorium this week is annoyingly absent and I can't remember the name. No, not the Burning Bush; I know that one!

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/trees/colourful-foliage

fatbelly

Someone tried to plant things of that description at the front of our house about ten years ago.

Most have outgrown their welcome.

Some that haven't are (in order of my opinion):

1. Variegated pittosporum - stable at around 1.5m, has formed a solid ball of evergreen variegated leaves, never gives a problem. I give it a light trim once a year

2. Pieris japonica. Bright new growth, struggling to get over 1m but one up the road is at about 2m, evergreen. no problems, never pruned

3. Choisya Ternata. I added this when a hebe died and it is slowly getting to 1.5m with nice new growth and flowers, evergreen.no problems, never pruned

Woolsery

fatbelly said:

Someone tried to plant things of that description at the front of our house about ten years ago.

Most have outgrown their welcome.

Some that haven't are (in order of my opinion):

1. Variegated pittosporum - stable at around 1.5m, has formed a solid ball of evergreen variegated leaves, never gives a problem. I give it a light trim once a year

Thumbs up to Pittosporum, especially the variegated sort that grow more slowly, or 'Golf Ball' one of the smaller selections.

Bendy_House

Oooh, some lovely suggestions there - thank you so much.

I'm drawn towards the variegated leaves, or bright leaf colours (we have a couple of Pieris out t'front that have taken off spectacularly this year and one is now 2m tall. I'm about to paint the fence behind it charcoal in order to enhance the effect :-)

I'll go through these suggestions - some of them I haven't heard of (quite a few actually...)

Cheers - really appreciated.

fatbelly

Some variegated things tend to revert and the reverted bit is always more vigorous and spoils the look. We have (well it was) a beautiful outdoor fuchsia that just reverts all the time. I eventually took a cutting from the original bit and am starting again with a small plant. 

I have a variegated Weigela that I like but needs to be kept an eye on. It's a beautiful shrub with pink flowers but keeps throwing out solid green branches.

The pittosporum however has never reverted, well not yet anyway.