Does anyone have any suggestions for flowering shrubs that would be appropriate for a garden that is right alongside a pool deck? We pulled out a bunch of yuccas (Adams needles) that the previous owner had put in because they were both spiky and ugly (the leaves always seemed to bend and look ratty). We still have some smoke bushes, yews, euonymous and small spreading everygreens, but there isn't much color. I tried a rose there last year but had to move it because some of the bigger plants in the back cast a shadow over it. I'm thinking of some potentilla and maybe a butterfly bush but I don't know if that will get too large. I'm also considering some perennials, but a lot of them grow pretty tall, too.
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I prefer the KYUSHU HYDRANGEA as the blooms last longer and are a better variety to dry for the house. The heads also do not hang because of the weight.
PeeGee Hydrangeas are my favourite. Also Hostas would do well there I think.
Your garden looks lovely.
Very nice, Sweetpea. I have some spirea in the front but they're still tiny. I love the ninebark, too -- such beautiful foliage, as well as the blooms.
My flowering shrubs are now in bloom......1st pic is a spirea...2nd is ninebark...3rd is a mixture of spirea & Snowbird ponentilla in the perennial garden...
Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions, I will check them all out. I love hydrangeas, too, and may try a pee gee. Most of the area is fairly sunny, but the spot I had chosen for the rose bush just didn't work for it. I think part of the problem may have been that it didn't have enough elbow room -- roses are fussy that way.
It depends if the spot is full sun or part shade. There are lots of full sun options, but if the other plants around are casting shade then what I have used in my garden are Pieris japonica 'Mountian Fire' (on sale at Superstore now), or my fav is a Pink Spire Summersweet. Also Hydrangeas (there are varieties for sun and shade). Hostas will fill the gaps too. Or what about the willow shrubs? Perfect for by the water. There is a Red Twig variety and a Artic one. I have both, very pretty and airy in a breeze.
Spirea, flowering dogwoods, dwarf lilac (really nice), hydrangeas (great drama in bloom)...I never had a maintenance issue with them other then fertilizer to keep the colour I wanted) etc. How about a variety of some perennials that bloom at different months of the season?
What about Dogwood and also there is a beautiful one that I have that turns a gorgeous red by the end of the summer. Check out with your nursery and they will show you which bushes are best and which provide colour at different points in the season.
You might want to consider some spirea. Early in the season they provide blooms of pink flowers and grow slowly. (require sunny spot)
I have potentila and they are very hardy and practically effortless.
Though I love hydrangeas. More mainteance required.