Help me replace this bush

[Stringervest]

Hi All

I always get superb advice from this board so I'm hopeful that you will kindly offer me some advice on replacing this bush.

Picture attached. Candide doesn't know what it is which is fine because I don't really care (because it's getting too big and is a bit meh). It's an evergreen shrub under our bay window which came with the house. It is now half dead after the cold winter and so I'd like to replace it.

We have a fully paved drive bar sone beds round the side. I want to replace it with something that:

• is evergreen to ensure year-round greenery
• flowers, ideally for quite a long time
• doesn't block the bay window
• is happy being pruned so as to not block the bay window
• ideally fills the space quickly but I know I can't have everything.

It faces south west. It gets blocked by a tree for a couple of hours but I reckon it still gets 5-6 hours of sun.

Thank you in anticipation of your suggestions!

You could try a St John's wort - Hypericum Hidcote. Long flowering season, doesnt mind being cut back , mine grew a bit larger than suggested here, but easily cut back into shape.
https://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/hypericum--hidcoteense-hidcote/classid.4004/

Oh that looks lovely, thank you for the suggestion!

Skimmia or viburnum?

I've not heard of skimmia but it looks pretty.

Can they and viburnum be shaped to fit under the window?

The existing one looks a bit like an overgrown hebe. Hebes are lovely, but if not pruned they can get a bit out of hand, woody & leggy.

I would recommend a Sweet Box / sarcococca. It is evergreen, fairly compact, lovely glossy deep green leaves. Very fragrant white flowers in winter / early spring, and red, turning to dark berries in late spring. It loves being clipped into shape, but equally doesn’t really need it.

It self seeds very easily, so can provide good ground cover.