So we have this really ugly bush in the front flower bed that I've been begging to get rid of but for some reason DH can't bear to part with it.
Finally today he said if I can come up with a solid idea of what to put there instead that will look nice then maybe.
So, I attached a couple pictures. And I would need something very low maintenance as I have a black thumb. I was thinking to fill the bed with nice pebbles and put some lawn decoration in it, but he really likes having a bush there.
Boxwood, or azalea. Both will grow nicely in the
Pacific North West, and are very low maintenance.
Azaleas have spring blooms; boxwood does not
have any noticeable flowers. Both are very easy
to trim. Your local Lowe's or Home Depot will
have a large variety. If DH is not sure about it,
plant it in a large, moveable tub. Pack the bottom
half of the tub with packing peanuts, then a layer
of fabric (to hold the dirt in), and then a layer of
top quality potting soil (Miracle Gro). How much
sun will the plant get? That will be a significant
factor.
Hydrangeas do well in shade or partial sun.
However, they have a "large" appearance,
whereas boxwood and azaleas look gentler.
Hydrangea leaves are large, and the blooms
are enormous. Also, they need to be cut
down over the winter months, so the area
would look barren. Although they might be
interesting to Vette's SS - you can change
the color of the blooms from year to year
by changing the acid balance of the soil.
Pink or blue, depending on the alkalinity
of the soil. Home Depot or Lowes will be
able to tell you what to do to change the
color.
I did kind of wonder about what kind of house you lived in, then realized the pictures were upside down or on end...
I do not know the "real" name but at home we had a bush my mother called "Bridal Wreath" and it was low maintenance, grew rapidly, could be trimmed back, etc. Produces small white flowers all along the branches.
I like the bush, too. But whatever you decide, Plant it either in the middle of that blank area, or plant two. The reason it doesn't look right is because it's off center and incomplete, IMO.
Well if you see it up close it's all scraggly and tired looking.
I'm trying to get a hold of my youngest brother to have him come out and plant new stuff, because he has his own landscaping business. We're technically forbidden to see each other because of my dad but sometimes he'll come help around the yard if I pay him 50 bucks or something :p
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I personally would stay away from roses because they are harder to take care of. It could be just me, but I have no luck with them. Bugs and beetles love them and eat them up. At least that's what happens to mine. I vote hydrangeas! I love them! Many different varieties. I have a smaller size bush in my front bed called a Little Henry. It gets white flowers when it blooms and when it's not blooming it has nice foliage. It looks like this:
And some hydrangea's pics. I have both of these varieties in my front bed.
Pinky Winky:
And your regular old hydrangea:
They are beautiful but might take a year or so to get established depending on size when you buy them. The pinky winky's are really easy to care for because they bloom on new wood. I just prune them down to 1/3 of their size in early spring and by summer they are huge! They flower for a long time.
Very low maintenance. Tons of colors, textures, sizes.
Or rock garden
Or something representing your new family
A water feature
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
