Bushes

Rheingold

My yard is very tricky in the sense that I have very narrow side yard and huge front yard and modest backyard. So, selecting bushes that work with my yard was not an easy task. No matter how much I liked a bush it had to fit my yard's needs. I selected most of my bushes for visual interest and based on size. Hopefully they will work together in 3 to 5 years to create an interesting but not overwhelming tapestry of nature.

Firepower Nandina

Most of the bushes I bought are great performers because they sat in the pots all summer long and those that I planted were only planted a week or so  before Greenscape Inc started the project. The Greenscape people pulled them out of the ground to get them out of the way, put them out in the yard under trees without any pots and with roots exposed and they neglected to take care of them. The did not even take into consideration whether a plant was sun-loving or shade plant! It was a sad seen. They killed my gold mop which was thriving and growing before they came. I took care of my plants, watering them for months and they were thriving until Greenscape people promised to take over only to not even begin to take care of them. On days I would go out there in the backyard, I would find some of them weeping on the ground thirsty because Greenscape people did not water them.

I complained a few times but decided if I am going to have any mature plants left when Greenscape leaves I better take care of my plants. They did replace some but they were so small compared those that we pulled out of the ground that I almost did not accept them. I was able to save a lot of them though and I am happy with that. Hubby does a lot of planting for me and thanks to him for helping me get started.

Gardenias

These were here when I bought the house. I bought another four for the other side of the house and moved the Japanese privet I had to the back of the house where it eventually died thanks to my hubby's no so green  thumb :)

Mexican Anise

Mexican Anise can take a lot! Greenscape neglect did not bother them much at all. Now, they are gracing the sunny side of the house. I love that they don't grow to be too big.

Swift Creek Ligustrum 

This ligustrum specifically is designed to further shield the side of the house with trash cans.  Out Home Owners Association does not allow for trash cans to be visible to the street so I positioned this so that it will shield the trash cans from the street. It has a rounded growth habit which will truly benefit us in the long run.

Emerald Green Arborvitae

These emerald green bushes are designed to shield trash cans from my neighbor and from the street! 

 Blueberry Bush

LOL, I decided to plant this next to the deck and close enough to the dining area for me to pick some and throw them in my cereal or salads. It worked well this last summer. I hope it will behave itself and not grow too wide. I've selected all the plants in way that should not cover the path.

 Loropetalum

I had five beautiful loropetalums there were growing vigorously until I pulled them off the ground preparing for Greenscape. They were the victims of neglect and Greenscape replaced four of them and they seem to be thriving. I plan to have them grow untamed so they can have a wild look to them; I prefer them that way.

Camellias

I bought two very small camellias for my pink semi-shade garden on the side of the house. They are already sprouting flower buds! They are winter bloomers so I am looking forward to their flowers. My azaleas next to them are flowering big time.

Azaleas

My Encore azaleas are great performers. First of all they sat out there in pots in scotching summer heat waiting on Greenscape Inc to finish what they were doing and just before I (meaning hubby) put them in the ground, they bloomed!

Sky Pencil Holly

I moved this sky pencil holly form next to the front door to this side of the garage because of how narrow this corner is. I am trying to prevent any bushes from taking over the path. So, it worked perfectly for this!  

Abelia 

I've never been unhappy about a plant until Greenscape killed my white flowering kaleidoscope and replace them with the ugliest abelia I have ever seen. Anyways, I had to plant them in the list attractive part of the garden as fillers.Here is an Edward Groucher Abelia. I've just bought two for a total of five as well to completely fill the side of the  house. 

Knockout Roses

If you want no fuss, no nonsense roses, please go buy yourself some knockout roses! I could not be happier! I have nine of these, 8 of them are in the front. They pack a punch of color and can't wait for them to fill in. My worry is that, I have three that are sitting in the water as I type this, thanks to Greenscape Inc for not knowing how to make real flower beds.

My neighbor has one of these and his stands out nicely against the green bushes surrounding it and it inspired me. This was before I even knew the name of this great performer.
Knockout grow to be about 4ft high by 5ft wide. They bloom from spring to fall! I've planted them in my side front yard and they should benefit

Pristine Mountain Laurel

I did not know about this shrub until I saw it at Lowes; I had to have it. It is already sprouting new growth. It is a spring bloomer and has white flowers. I planted it with a white flowering hawthorne to give us some privacy from the street when we are sitting around the fire pit.

 White flowering Hawthorne

Clarissa Holly

These bushes were here when I bought the house. They just sit there and don't do much at least worth noting.

Wintergreen boxwood

These are lining up the path to the front door. They should provide a background for the knockouts and sweetheart dazzle when they fill in.

Loropetalum Ever Red and Golden Dream Boxwood

Nelli R. Stevens Holly

I bought these on special and have been very happy with their performance so far. I had one in my old house and had to have some in this new house. They provide an interesting screen with berries as you can see. 

Loropetalum (Chinese Fringe Flower)

 Gulf Stream Nandina

Cleyera

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2. Variegated Weigela
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