Bushes, flowering plants...

We are going to rip out some small trees in the front of our house since you cannot see the front of the house at all, and put in lower bushes, etc.

Trying to think of what to put in.. our landscaper suggested rodendrum, maybe an azalea bush and I suggested a japanese maple since the leaves have color, but doesn't need to flower.

Any suggestions that won't break the bank? Any alternatives for a japanese maple?

Re: Bushes, flowering plants...

No suggestions, as I am not sure what is cheap or not, but I do suggest heading to Cheap Sams off of the LIE... in Holtsville

they always have the best prices.
and this month they are offering 25% off the 2 gallon container of the Burning Bush (normally 19.99)

http://cheapsamsplantbargains.com/


info on burning bush w/pic at the bottom

The Burning Bush is a compact shrub that can grow to approximately 8 to 10 feet tall as well as wide but is easily trimmed to maintain a smaller size. This deciduous shrub has green leaves in the spring and summer but in the fall offers intense scarlet red coloring. The deep dark leaves almost give the appearance of glowing with color in the fall. The Burning Bush makes an excellent accent piece or hedge and thrives in full sun. The corky wings on the twigs hold winter snow, outlining the branch structure. This bush withstands acidic or alkaline soils and a wide range of temperatures.

The botanical name for a Burning Buh is Euonymus Alatus 'Compacta'

Re: Bushes, flowering plants...

I second azaleas- they are pretty and they seem low-maintenance- I am such a lazy gardener and have killed a lot of plants, but my azalea is still going strong.

Re: Bushes, flowering plants...

Hydrangeas are also beautiful. How about a weeping cherry or a dogwood-all of these look gorgeous in the spring and require little maintenance

Re: Bushes, flowering plants...

thanks for the suggestions--- the weeping cherry and the dogwood look beautiful-- but I am not really looking for something to grow up, as I am trying to open up the front of the house. Our property already has a few hydrangea bushes-- and the front of the house doesn't get much sun since there are several large trees that shade the area-- is that an issue with growth/survival?

Re: Bushes, flowering plants...

We just did this to the front of our house ( I still need to take pictures). We do not get a lot of sun at all and we planted the following plants:

Golden Mop


Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar (it looks like this now, but it gets bigger)

Wegilia in Midnight wine (the top leaves are purply red and then the bottom is more green. In the spring/summer it has pink flowers and it is deer resistant)

Japanese Blood Grass (doesn't get tall like typical grasses)

Blue Fescue (it has a real pretty blue color to it)

Knockout roses (very easy maintenance)


There are 2 other plants we used but I don't remember the name. Hope this helps a little

Re: Bushes, flowering plants...

my favorites are hostas, montauk daisy, hydrangeas, lilac, rose bushes, & peonies. lilacs and rose bushes can get kind of tall tho. and the peonies can be expensive. however, the montauk daisy and the hostas are hardy, and it's pretty cheap at the end of the day because you can split the plants when they get bigger than you want them and plant other other piece somewhere new.

ETA: hydrangeas really need a special location that provides plenty of watering (they're thirsty) with sunshine in the morning while it's cool and shade in the afternoon when it's too hot for their delicate leaves and blooms. but oh i love them so

Message edited 9/26/2010 9:36:40 AM.