Shrub suggestions for front of house (with diagram!)

[KingscoteStaff]

Looking for something columnish to replace a hebe destroyed by the frost.

Up against a house wall, NW facing, London - marked ? on diagram!

Up to 1m across, 2m high.

First thought was a berberis - golden or red - but very grateful for any suggestions.

Cotinus, oh wait, does it have to be evergreen?

Well, all the others are, so I guess the previous owner designed it that way. But it’s my mum’s garden now, so we can do what we like!

Any particular Cotinus?

How about a purple / black leaved Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb'. To contrast the orange hues and variegated plants in the bed.

I like the dark one with the big round leaves, sorry I don't know the name of the variety. But that Pittosporum sounds amazing!

Could that be Royal Purple?

If you don’t mind trimming to shape, a variegated Griselina or a Yew - either a Semperaurea or a Fastigiate (which is very slow growing).

I love that Pittisporum! Will it grow to 5ft or more?

Something scented would be nice as it’s right by a pavement? So eg Viburnum Bodnantense, Sarcococca or Daphne odora. Or a star magnolia if you wanted flowers. Daphne and Sarcococca would be evergreen but not the others.

I think so, it's lovely anyway. I've got a bit of a passion for plants with dark foliage. My dream garden (or one of them) would probably be rather funereal.

I love the sambuca with dark, dissected leaves. White sprays of blossom with a pink blush, then berries, then sticks! But then spring. I think it's called Ravenwing.

We have a pittosporum tom thumb and it’s slow growing, and grows more rounded than upright I’d say. Max height 1m apparently (ours is about 2years old and is less than 1m)

My cotinus is about 2m, maybe a little less. I have seen them bigger. Occasionally, it sends out a branch that has to be pruned but it's fairly low maintenance.

The pittosporum Tom Thumb grows to approx 3 feet. I’ve had one in a shady spot for a few years and it’s done really well. Hebe’s in the same bed have died. It’s evergreen too so keeps its leaves and colour all year round.

if you want a plant that grows to 5ft and like the idea of a purple bush then Loropetulum Black Pear is the right size and colour. Loropetulum Black Pear and could work.

Cotinus is lovely but deciduous and late to leaf.

How about a Photinia Pink Marble? Evergreen, really easy to care for, gives great colour interest.

I’d go Sarcococca or red Berberis. Cotinus get too big, even when hard pruned. Pittosporum also get very wide, except for the dwarf ones but they don’t get tall. Daphne is a good shout, but in time will also go beyond 1m and they don’t like being pruned.