What should I plant here?

[GinGeum]

I dug these four circle beds last year and originally planted shrub roses in them. Some of you may remember me posting about DP accidentally killing said roses with Roundup so I've been a bit unsure what to plant in them since then. I don't think shrub roses are quite right, so perhaps the killing of them was a blessing in disguise.

I have planted daffodils and hyacinths in there, thinking they would look nice in Spring, and now they've just got any old plants in there until I can decide.

I thought about a Standard Rose in each one, but that's obviously a pricey option!

What would you put in them?

I've posted photos from these angles, as this is how I view them walking up and down the path.

Oh that's so pretty!

Forgot to add, no lavender as I'm planting a lavender walkway further up. Also, it is north west facing, but actually it gets sun for about two thirds of the day.

Ah, thank you Bert

What about some lovely tall grasses like calamagrostis acutiflora Karl Foerster? They would give you interest for at least 9 months of the year, add movement, be low maintenance and look beautiful? Also if Northwest facing they might catch a bit of evening sun and look beautiful with the light behind them.

Oh that's a lovely idea sprinkles - I really like grasses but don't have any in the garden yet. I'd quite like swishing them with my hands walking past too

I wondered about something like creeping phlox too, underplanting whatever I plant in them.

I was thinking about something that is a beautiful shape, like an acer or similar? A standard rose type thing seems a bit prissy for that garden.

Yes, grasses could be good, I always like stipa gigantea : but I'm sorry, surely the circles are just so SMALL ! Particularly in relation to the rest of the lawn; they could be much larger.

Bert I agree about the prissy thing - we prefer a slightly wilder look and I'm not sure we'd keep up with making standard roses the perfect shape. DP also likes box balls, but again, so much faff and so pristine! I love acers, but I think four in a row might be a bit much? I need to find a spot for one on it's own I think.

Ferguson I don't want them too large - the garden is still a work in progress at the moment, and the top half of this garden is going to be a lot less lawn and a lot more plants, so I want this area to be more lawn than anything else it is the front garden, so I don't want to create too much of a jungle for the poor postman, plus I don't want this bottom half to be too high maintenance when the bits nearer the house require lots more work.

I have nothing to add but love your garden!

I'm not crazy about the circles either, I'd be inclined to join them up to make a compact curvy teardrop/ crescent shape. Not too much extra work/ lawn sacrifice and it could mimic the curve of the path. I'd go for a stipa gigantica too at the end nearest the house

I would look at repeat planting and a big dramatic thing I. Each bed.
My suggestion would be a Scarlet Willow in each bed underplanted with grasses.
miscanthus Sinensis
Pheasant Grass
calamagrost

I don't know if you have ever visited Anglesey Abbey Winter Garden, it is amazing. If you can't get there Google will tell you what plants they use. Also have a look at Piet Oudolf for ideas.

Love your garden! However I would fill the circles in apart from one in which I would plant a bush rose like this one. I planted one last year (alba maxima by David Austin roses, a very old hardy variety). It only flowers once but has a glorious scent.

Sorry should also have added pic of the one I planted last year. The painting is Roses by PS Kroyer and is what made me want to plant one

What about dwarf apple trees?

I think hydrangeas might look nice, maybe Annabelle.

Pocket I'm planting stepover apples further up the garden

I think I am going to blend the circles together (sob, I love them) and plant grasses with red sedum.

Bonkers I am also planting hydrangea further up too I've got a more shady spot that I'd like them in.

Nothing wrong with repeating plants!

No point having more apples than we can eat though!