Alternatives to Bay and Olive trees etc for Planters at front door?

[JMGBeagles]

Hi any suggestions for plants or shrubs to frame the front door. Rather not go with the usual standard bay, box, olive etc... but maybe there’s a reason these are so popular because they work well?! What else do you have? The front is in Full sun most of the day, west facing garden. I’d like something that Looks good all year round.

Sambucus. NOOO. Gets huge, drops its leaves flowers dont last long, yes its pretty whilst in flower but not good enough for front door

mini orange

Thanks everyone. No one mentioned a hydrangea...? Maybe too sunny a spot. Now We need to take some decisions. Garden centres will be opening up so that’s going to be a great help.

Hydrangea in full sun, in a pot, will need a lot of watering. I have a fair few, and I’ve had to move the one that was in a pot in full sun as it was really suffering. Now that it is in part sun part sage, it is full of buds and looks much healthier.

I do have hydrangeas in full sun (in the ground) but they’re really thirsty.

A shrub that does well in full sun and flowers is Escallonia Pink Elle. You’ll need a big pot, mine is about one metre height and spread. Covered in small pink flowers in July.

Standard lavenders would be lovely.