What shrub for front of house?

[Cloudminnow]

Can anyone suggest a tall self supporting shrub to go in a small space by steps up to front door (about 5ft from ground to top of steps, then up again to the front door). It's a south facing wall.

Pampass Grass?

I can't think of anything that will reach that height and be self supporting, without being proportionally wide. Unless, perhaps you want some kind of evergreen tree, that can be shaped to fit the space?

Eleagnus is good but you'd have to cut it back to keep to 5 ft.
you could try one of the mahonias but they might object to full sun.
Other ideas- a pyramid box tree? Or a bay tree?

A standard tree rose?

Standard bay or willow?

Bah - Betty beat me to it.

You could also try a camelia or azalia in a pot- lime free compost.

Personally, I think a pyramid box looks classy though you will struggle to get one 5 feet- mine are 3 feet- and they do look best if you can do it symetrical- one each side.

How about one of the following:
www.headgardenerplants.co.uk/plant.asp?val=OSMBUR
www.headgardenerplants.co.uk/plant.asp?val=CHOTER
www.headgardenerplants.co.uk/plant.asp?val=PITLIM
They are all evergreen with scented flowers which I think is always great by a door. The Pittosporum will be less suitable if you live in the north.

oooh that is a lovely Pittosporum, tiptoemum! I'm just wondering if our frosts are too severe here for one of those!!

Hi surviving, we have had this survive 3 winters of-8c but it is an established plant. It is really beautiful. If you were going to try one I'd advise planting in the spring rather than the autumn so it gets 6 months to get settled. PS we are on the south coast so shouldn't really be getting such harsh winters!

I was thinking about putting some plants by my front door the other day after reading this post
blog.theenduringgardener.com/theyve-been-framed/
The plan is to have a few pots with medium sized shrubs in which can be swapped. You could have a pot with an early flowering clematis for the spring. Three canes tied together at the top to form a pyramid will offer support to the plant. Choose something like Jasmine for the summer which gives a wonderful scent. The perfect welcome on venturing out or coming home. On the subject of scented plants - maybe consider rosemary which is pretty hardy all year round and tasty with roast lamb too. Hope that helps.

Something like this with a winter flowering Jasmine for the bare months?

You may have to espalier the tree yourself though, if wind-pruning is not available.