Removed bushes - now what to replace?

 

OK, I finally got those big bushes removed from front of house.   (Had
posted earlier for ways to remove stumps.)  Turns out, after I
thoroughly wetted the base, gardener was able to dig it out,  except
ran into little problem -- water line!  Other stump coming out Friday,
not on water line, one hopes!

Here's current view:

<http://tinypic.com/r/1zn8lli/5  >

        (Hope link works!!!)

NOW:  What to put in their place?  I have been kicking around ideas,
getting more and more confused.
Need your recommendations.  This is So. Calif coastal, North facing.
Plenty of sun all year.

1.  Expen$ive decorative planter with tall-ish shrub (what kind????)
Gardener cautions it might be stolen.

2.  Ordinary terra cotta planter with (tall) (short) shrub, but not
too spreading, or it will get in the way of the        front walk like
the old shrubs did.

3.  Home Depot has blueberry bushes that don't spread too much (it
said).  Have been waiting decades for blueberries  that will work w/o
winter chill.  (I don't care if people pick a few as they pass)

4.  Forget pots, shrubs, trees, etc.   Create a low-lying semi-
circular area with pebbles/rocks/succulents/cacti.

5.  Your suggestions?

WOULD REALLY VALUE YOUR INPUT ON THESE FIRST THOUGHTS.

TIA

Persephone
T

 

In article


 Possible plant of interest.

<http://www.growingthehomegarden.com/2008/08/rosemary-as-evergreen-landsc
ape.html>

 I'd try to encourage a creeping thyme to soften the hard edge of the
walk way.

--
Bill  S. Jersey USA zone 5 shade garden
 What use one more wake up call?  

 


Could not get to this link after several tries.  However, I did go to
<growing the home garden>
and there, under "shrubs" saw  a beautiful plant named Salix Integra:
Japanese Dappled Willow.
What do you think?



Did you notice the grey-green paths on each side of the walkway?
Bordered by red brick edging?   They stop short of the "hard edges"
because there used to be huge bulky shrubs where you now see only
one trunk left.

Yes, the newly-exposed walkway edges do need to be softened,
and the creeping thyme looks like an attractive and low-to-no
maintenance
ground cover.  I'm thinking it might surround whatever shrub or ? I
put in the vacated shrubs' spots.   I had  been considering river
pebbles, but maybe...

Tx for suggestion.

Persephone

 

In article


  Here is the link made tiny.

http://xrl.us/bhj9uc

--
Bill  S. Jersey USA zone 5 shade garden
 What use one more wake up call?  

 

Judging by the photo, the location is at the end of the front walk, at the
sidewalk, and in full sun year round.

If I didn't mind watering, I might plant azaleas and some large specimen
rocks.  But I think I would rather have small trees there, that would make
a refreshing cool pool of shade on the otherwise hot sidewalk in front of
the house.  Pick something with interesting bark and nice form, and not
too big.  Decide if you require evergreen or if deciduous is acceptable.
Decide if highly attractive flowers are important, or not.  Re form, I'd
be looking for trees that can be pruned to a T shape:  single trunk and a
wide low crown.

For ideas walk around your neighborhood, visit nearby botanical gardens
and nurseries, and look at trees wherever you go around town.

    Una