Shrubs

[justjulie]

As some of you know we installed a pool with a rather big planting space behind a natural rock retaining wall - here's my dilemma. While my perennials will provide the colour and whimsy I'm looking for, I need a couple of bushes or shrubs that will fill what seems like a bottomless pit of dirt at this point - any ideas on what I can plant to take up some of that space?

FYI the main trees are cedars around the pond, a pyramidal oak in the centre and an Austrian pine to the right.

Looking forward to hearing from all of you ....

 

[gina2000]

Julie....I'm not really good on the visuals. Is the pond away from the pool?

I guess I'm trying to get a sense of the layout.

I like dark, glossy leaves against perennials....I may want a rhodedendron or two in that big gaping space. But I would look for ones that don't grow to huge proportions. I also love holly bushes.....gotta have those dark leaves!

 

[TigH]

Oh yes, I was thinking holly bushes as well!

What about ornamental grasses? They can grow to fill up a space nicely and they look great almost all year round (especially if you leave the seed pods/flowers on through the winter)

Good luck!

 

[Tulirose]

Oh, nice suggestions! You could also go visit a nursery or an arboretum and see what strikes your fancy. Let us know what you decide.

 

[justjulie]

The pond is actually right beside the pool. We had our "pool guy" work around what we had and he did a very good job (we only had to move one tree!).

I was also thinking of a weigela too - maybe a red one for colour. It's funny you should mention the rhodo's because someone else mentioned that they like acidic soil which would be perfect because of the pine tree.

The other side of the pine is reserved for my Hosta bed and I can't wait to get them all in there!

Thanks everyone, this is (obviously) an ongoing project for us so keep those suggestions coming!