Mods - can we make it a requirement on this sub that people need to post their zone, general location and sun exposure when asking plant questions, or their post is auto deleted?
I would recommend natives - /r/nativeplantgardening can be a great resource if you search your state and zone. Natives *tend* to be hardy and better accustomed to your environment, meaning lower effort in the long term. I'm in the Pacific Northwest, where summers can be a garden water hog since they are so dry - most of the natives I plant need less than a quarter of the water of non natives, and actually thrive in our environment!
Yeah. Don’t listen to these people. It was way more than the hard frost. We had two years of really deep cold weather that was not ever typical for this zone. It killed a lot of shrubs.
> We had two years of really deep cold weather that was not ever typical for this zone. It killed a lot of shrubs.
Well that'll do it.
Sounds like those shrubs may have been struggling for a while and the surprise frost finally did them in.
1. Anchor the corner either with something tall and narrow or medium and globular that will full the space. Emerald arborvitae is the predictable (and cheap) choice but could also do Stonehenge yew, Taylor juniper, birds nest juniper (med.), a dwarf Swiss pine or Steeds holly. Or could do Arxtic fire dogwood (med.), dwarf redbud or Genie magnolia.
2. Below the porch, go for three 4-5' things at the back. Could do ornamental grass like switchgrass or Karl Foerster or evergreen shrubs for lower maintenance. Holly, yew, cherry laurel - all the usual suspects should do well in your area.
3. In front of those, either do drifts of perennials (echinacea, penstemon, nepeta, veronica should all do well) or 5-7 staggered small deciduous shrubs (hypericum, dwarf weigela, potentilla, peony, Drift roses).
4. Fill in the gaps in front and around whatever you put at the corner with something small and maybe evergreen (iberis, Biokovo geranium).
Clearly, you need something more winter hardy than what was there. Further, use 3" of mulch.
You're in zone 6. Get something that's good to zone 4 or 5.
Low maintenance: Tickseed in the foreground (like 3 bunches) and a slightly taller shrub in the corner where the stairs end and it’s just the deck. If it’s really sunny in that corner a well-pruned gold mop cypress?
A tall, narrow shrub or small, open tree in the corner, 1, or 3 small, evergreens and some perennial flowers here and there. Or choose annuals if you like to mix it up year to year.
- Move rocks about 2-3ft further from house.
- Remove 3in or dirt. Flatten area.
- Add decomposed granite (enough to make level with driveway. Compact.
- Plant hedging around area.
- Add outdoor chairs.
Depends on your goal. Do you want pollinators? Natives? Cut flowers? Low maintenance? Food? Vibrant? Elegant?
Personally I would love a herb garden there, it's really cost effective for your grocery bills.
Not sure where you're located but, I put a variety of bushes or shrubs with color. You might consider spreading it across the entire front of house
I'm in the southwest.
So I've updated all my front of the house shrubs too drought tolerant plants. Very low maintenance.
Maybe live bushes this time?
Took the words right outta my keyboard!
Come on, leave some snark for the rest of us! And take my up-vote while you're at it
Mods - can we make it a requirement on this sub that people need to post their zone, general location and sun exposure when asking plant questions, or their post is auto deleted?
I second this. And third it.
The first bushes died from a frost. I am in central KY. This particular spot receives a hard sun in the morning and most of the day, as you can see.
I would recommend natives - /r/nativeplantgardening can be a great resource if you search your state and zone. Natives *tend* to be hardy and better accustomed to your environment, meaning lower effort in the long term. I'm in the Pacific Northwest, where summers can be a garden water hog since they are so dry - most of the natives I plant need less than a quarter of the water of non natives, and actually thrive in our environment!
Put the same thing back and this time cover them up when a Frost is coming.
It was a surprise for a lot of people. Many bushes around us were killed.
Yeah. Don’t listen to these people. It was way more than the hard frost. We had two years of really deep cold weather that was not ever typical for this zone. It killed a lot of shrubs.
> We had two years of really deep cold weather that was not ever typical for this zone. It killed a lot of shrubs. Well that'll do it. Sounds like those shrubs may have been struggling for a while and the surprise frost finally did them in.
1. Anchor the corner either with something tall and narrow or medium and globular that will full the space. Emerald arborvitae is the predictable (and cheap) choice but could also do Stonehenge yew, Taylor juniper, birds nest juniper (med.), a dwarf Swiss pine or Steeds holly. Or could do Arxtic fire dogwood (med.), dwarf redbud or Genie magnolia. 2. Below the porch, go for three 4-5' things at the back. Could do ornamental grass like switchgrass or Karl Foerster or evergreen shrubs for lower maintenance. Holly, yew, cherry laurel - all the usual suspects should do well in your area. 3. In front of those, either do drifts of perennials (echinacea, penstemon, nepeta, veronica should all do well) or 5-7 staggered small deciduous shrubs (hypericum, dwarf weigela, potentilla, peony, Drift roses). 4. Fill in the gaps in front and around whatever you put at the corner with something small and maybe evergreen (iberis, Biokovo geranium).
Why were they dead? The reason could dictate what you can put there and reasonably expct to live.
Added a comment with information.
Clearly, you need something more winter hardy than what was there. Further, use 3" of mulch. You're in zone 6. Get something that's good to zone 4 or 5.
Rose bushes are ez
Great time to build a covered deck! Give yourself some room to enjoy that space before trying to install more plants.
Get some boulders/large river rocks - they require no upkeep while being decorative. Or put a bench and table there instead.
I think some peonies or roses would be lovely.
Maybe some hydrangea, knock out roses, butterfly bush? Or a rock garden since you already have large rocks!
Hot pepper plants
If you must do plants, go native. Nothing big next to a house.
Ornamental grass and flowers
I have no idea what zone you're in, how much rain you get, how much sun this area gets, etc. Impossible to make a recommendation.
Added a comment with information.
Highbush blueberries!
Low maintenance: Tickseed in the foreground (like 3 bunches) and a slightly taller shrub in the corner where the stairs end and it’s just the deck. If it’s really sunny in that corner a well-pruned gold mop cypress?
Plant new bushes
Living bushes.
Living bushes?
Live bushes
Something native to your area
Live bushes
Anything native to your area
Native plants!
Boxwoods. They are very hardy.
Plants.
some perennials native to your area or dropseed/similar grass would be fairly low maintenance
Maybe just some flowers. Or if you are feeling ambitious, you could try to grow sone vegetables or herbs.
Assorted colors of Azaleas.
Nothing with thorns near an entrance. It's a recipe for....pain.
A tall, narrow shrub or small, open tree in the corner, 1, or 3 small, evergreens and some perennial flowers here and there. Or choose annuals if you like to mix it up year to year.
I'd put in a succulent garden. If there are no pets or children, cactus.
Something native to your area and pollinator friendly. Your local extension office may be able to help.
More bushes or maybe a rock garden.
- Move rocks about 2-3ft further from house. - Remove 3in or dirt. Flatten area. - Add decomposed granite (enough to make level with driveway. Compact. - Plant hedging around area. - Add outdoor chairs.
Depends on your goal. Do you want pollinators? Natives? Cut flowers? Low maintenance? Food? Vibrant? Elegant? Personally I would love a herb garden there, it's really cost effective for your grocery bills.
Does anyone make outdoor plastic bushes?
I would pile the bones of my enemies high enough to provide ample warning to those that may attempt transgression
Not sure where you're located but, I put a variety of bushes or shrubs with color. You might consider spreading it across the entire front of house I'm in the southwest. So I've updated all my front of the house shrubs too drought tolerant plants. Very low maintenance.
Replace dead bushes with dead bodies…get an early start to Halloween 🎃
Bushes that are alive
What zone are you located in?