Plant reccomendations please

[random]

I know you guys are good at this kind of thing so I thought worth putting up a post.

Me and my father have just started on the back garden. It's a tiny wee thing but he's never touched it since moving in 3 years ago so was just a weedy lawn really and a few brambles and ivy round the fence.

Well we have started on it together and I was wondering if anyone can advise on some plants. We are looking for some colour but not something that will shrivel up and die during the winter months. Small shrubbery type plants to go around the fence that will bulk out.

We were just going to pop out to the garden center but I thought it worth putting up a thread first. Any pictures would be greatly appreciated too.

[Mags]

A Pieris (Forest Flame) is a nice shrub for a bit of colour .......

http://www.plantadvice.co.uk/plants/show_plant.php?id=74

[alexgirl73]

I have 2 pieris Random, they are gorgeous! I also love lavender, which I have a big patch of. The euonymous is beautiful colours of yellow and green. Plenty to choose from lol

[dandysmom]

Pyracantha is a good hardy woody shrub with colorful red or orange berries in the winter, can be trained on a fence...
http://www.gardeninginarizona.com/Plants/Rosaceae/big/Pyracantha_coccinea.html

[dandysmom]

Nandina is another one that has berries for winter color...it's also hardy....

http://www.findmeplants.co.uk/nandina-genus.aspx

[alexgirl73]

They're nice Eileen, I'm not keen on plants that berry though.

[dandysmom]

http://www.findmeplants.co.uk/photos/jasmin-nud.jpgI thought she wanted something with winter interest and a bit of color. I'm not sure if winter jasmine does well there; that's an idea for Random; lovely yellow flowers in late winter on bright green foliage...will see if I can find a pic.......

[Emm]

oooh I'm going to use some of these ideas for when I eventually get round to doing my garden

[dandysmom]

Oh, do that, Emm! You may not agree with or even like some of the suggestions, but it at least gives you some ideas......

[Emm]

I'm very easily pleased when it comes to plants and trees - I seem to like them all LOL Thats my problem - I need to come up with a theme that looks good

[dinahsmum]

Mahonia is a beauty - evergreen holly-like leaves and then a winter flower like a yellow wisteria, or lupin, and with the most beautiful scent. It's wonderful to smell flowers in January

[random]

Thank you so much everyone, I will write a list and have a google on the plant suggestions I don't know, will keep you all updated too, will be good to get some before and after shots! :D

[dandysmom]

Nandina is another one that has berries for winter color...it's also hardy....

http://www.findmeplants.co.uk/nandina-genus.aspx

Mahonia is a beauty - evergreen holly-like leaves and then a winter flower like a yellow wisteria, or lupin, and with the most beautiful scent. It's wonderful to smell flowers in January
I couldn't agree more: I have a large old Mahonia, posted a pic of it earlier in the year when it was flowering, but have since deleted it..:( It can get pretty large...mine is taller than I am!

[random]

The pieris is lovely isn't it, I think that is a definate yes! ;) We do have some lavender in pots already so that will be going in too. Oooh i'm all excited for when it is done and it's not even my garden! I will have my own to do when I move out so could use my dad's as practice and see what I like! :D (And use cuttings from all his plants ;))

[Emm]

please post some before and after piccies - so I can steal some of your ideas :lol:

[Mags]

Here's the Mahonia that DM and Eileen suggested .......

http://www.habitas.org.uk/gardenflora/images/mahonia_aquifolium1.jpg

[dandysmom]

And after it flowers it gets clusters of blue berries that look quite like Concord grapes...that's why it's common name is Oregon Grape Holly. It rained when mine was flowering so it didn't get pollinated; no fruit for the birds this year!

[alexgirl73]

Hmmm, I think I could put up with berries for that! I do like that very much, I'll be having a look at the garden centres next week methinks lol.

[dandysmom]

Funnily enough I was thinking of you and your not caring much for berried shrubs when I posted that! :-D

[alexgirl73]

aww, nice to be though of lol

[dandysmom]

It's funny how often you think of a person associated with a thing: every time I pick up a feather for Leia to play with when I'm out walking I think of Yola! And when I cook fresh spinach I think of one of my friends who complained that her BF would only eat spinach if it had been boiled to death...and that's the way I like it!!! :-D