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Gardening

Find tips and tricks to make your garden or allotment flourish on our Gardening forum.

I want a beautiful front garden

15 replies

greyvix · 08/06/2012 17:33

I have been away and DH (as requested) has cleared the front bed (in front of the bay windows) taking all of the spreading plants that had engulfed everything. I would be pleased, but he has also taken a lavender and 2 fuchsias. I want to replace it with lovely plants that won't spread too much. I will replace the fuchsias, as I love them. Any other ideas?

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minipie · 08/06/2012 17:45

I'm looking for front garden plant ideas too!

So far on my list I have:

Hebes
Hellebores
Alliums (see a lot of these in front gardens near me, they look very sculptural)
Sedums
Dog roses/tea roses/prickly rose
Aquiliegas (sp?)

ComeIntoTheGardenMaud · 09/06/2012 18:32

How about some topiary? It will add structure all year round and won't be too hard to keep in shape. Something like a box or holly " lollipop"' would be fun.

funnyperson · 11/06/2012 04:11

Scented plants? Like thyme, lavender,oregano, mint (planted in its plastic pot do it doesnt spread) or Lilies, esp regale.

Flowering perennials: something to go up the wall in spring, like clematis montana rubens . Other clematis in summer.

Camellias, azaleas, rhodedendron, pieris, for spring depending on your soil.

A magnolia? Or a cherry?

If not ericaceous soil, then wallflowers, japonica, hellebores, erysimums and bulbs for spring?

Irises, Jasmine, a Tree peony, lilies for summer?.

Michelmas daisies, fuschia and sedums for autumn?
Calla lilies?
Japanese anemones?
Hollyhocks like they do in Giverney?

Agree with the topiary: cotoneaster is also good for topiary.

In short anything you like which means that something, preferably evergreen, flowers every season.

UptoapointLordCopper · 11/06/2012 11:43

I've just planted a Mahonia winter sun. Can't wait for winter for it to flower! Grin

ComeIntoTheGardenMaud · 11/06/2012 14:33

I'm coming back to say how much I love UptoapointLordCopper's name ...

greyvix · 11/06/2012 23:07

All good ideas. Thanks!

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funnyperson · 16/06/2012 23:40

greyix what did you choose to plant in the end?

greyvix · 19/06/2012 23:56

I have gone mad on roses. I have bought a few for the back garden and now want a climbing rose next to the front door, and another couple for the front bed. I have discovered a local supplier of David Austin roses and have become a bit obsessed! I carry the catalogue around with me-very sad.
I am struggling to find something for winter structure though. I have never got into topiary, but would love 1 feature piece. I also fancy lupins, but don't have a good track record with them.

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funnyperson · 22/06/2012 22:03

David Austin's catalogue is so lovely.
I have fun with an evergreen cotoneaster in the back garden which responds quickly to all sorts of shaping actions. At the moment it is two ball shapes and is in flower. Quite pretty because the flowers will be red berries in the Autumn. Its not big enough for a feature though.

Kernowgal · 23/06/2012 08:36

For winter structure how about a cornus (dogwood) such as 'midwinter fire'? Especially good if your garden gets winter sun; also doesn't get as big as cornus alba or cornus sericea/stolonifera yet gives beautiful colour when everything else is looking grey or brown.

You could try cloud pruning something:

www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/3345593/Cloud-pruning-with-Japanese-trees.html

My mum's done this with an evergreen viburnum in her front garden and it looks lovely. Viburnums also often flower in winter and so you get delicious scent too.

greyvix · 23/06/2012 18:49

Thank you. I love the picture in the Telegraph article.

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funnyperson · 23/06/2012 19:46

this is quite pretty
software-for-home-design.designofgarden.com/front-yard-garden-ideas/

funnyperson · 24/06/2012 15:38

Yum.

greyvix · 24/06/2012 20:07

What a beautiful rose. I want one!

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