I am looking for plants for my front yard, to be planted in summer or fall once the driveway/walkway are completed. I am wondering what plants you recommend? Thanks
Garden Bed in front of house – area is 132 ” x 37″ & full/partial sun. height of shrub 53 to 59″ – prefer flower shrubs that are hardy, sharp color, grow back every year, low maintenance, and blooms throughout the summer season (preferably from spring to fall).
Hedges near property line – 1′ x 51′ & full/partial sun – prefer soft, short and hardy hedges that form a clean, dense, crisp line along the property line. I am ok if I have to trim it to get the crisp line.
Thank you for contacting Toronto Master Gardeners.
You requested long blooming flowering shrubs for the garden bed in front of the house.
Flowering shrubs tend to have relatively short blooming periods. Choosing a shrub with interesting fruit, leaves and/or bark as well as flowers offers four season interest.
For example, the Cardinal Candy® Viburnum is a relatively low maintenance shrub that has white flower clusters turning to bright red fruit that persists into winter, and leaves that turn red in the fall. It grows to 5 feet.
Another possibility is dogwood, Cornus species. There are numerous cultivars available with varying sizes and attractive foliage. One example, Midwinter Fire Dogwood,
(Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’). It has white flowers in late spring followed by deep purple berries in late summer. The green foliage turns gold in the fall. The red bark and harvest gold branches are showy and add winter interest. It grows to five feet.
For hedgin, Boxwood (Buxus), a broad leaf evergreen shrub, is likely the best choice for a soft, short and hardy hedge that forms a clean, dense, crisp line. The Green Mountain boxwood is a hardy cultivar that grows to 5 feet, about the size of the hedge you plan. It will spread to 3 feet, but can be trimmed.
Boxwoods grow in full sun to partial shade. They are not fussy about soil type or pH, and are very tolerant of urban pollution.
Boxwoods prefer average to moist conditions, and shouldn’t be allowed to dry out. The use of mulch around the hedge will allow the soil to retain moisture during the growing season.
You can also consult your local garden center for additional plant recommendations.
Good luck with your gardening project.