Plants for side of house - replacing laurel

[Becky]

Ian posted in another topic about the drastic pruning we've done to our laurel, and we've been thinking about what to do with it - see whether it grows back, or replace it with something better.

Our house is about 8 years old, and we think that the laurel was originally put in by the builders once they were finished - it's very fast growing, so you get a hedge quite quickly which appeals to house-buyers. We've been here for about 2 years now, and the previous owner let the laurel grow too big to easily manage. Ian was finding it really difficult to keep under control, so we decided to cut it right back into something that could be trimmed more easily... however doing so has revealed that we have an area where we could actually plant something nice!

Here are some photos:

What we've got is a long right-angled triangle. As you can see there isn't much left of the laurel! It was previously taking up almost all of the area. The variegated ivy you can see is actually planted in a pot - left by the previous owner, easily moved.

If the laurel grows back and we can keep it under control, then I suppose that's an easy solution with what to do here. Anyone have any experience with such a harsh cut-back??

Alternatively, now that the main bulk is gone it would be easy enough to get rid of it entirely and plant something else. The fence is actually almost south facing, but the house is right behind where I was taking the photos so it doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight. There are also Lime Trees (not the fruit kind, the fast growing kind) behind the fence which shade the area, especially in summertime.

Security is an issue on this side, so it would be nice to have a hedge of some sort here. I was thinking perhaps pyracantha... we have it growing well along another fence, and it has been trained to be quite thin therefore it wouldn't take up as much space as the laurel. We could perhaps plant a nice shrub in the wide part, or maybe a load of bulbs and have a colour explosion!

Any thoughts or suggestions greatly appreciated!

 

[gata montes]

My immediate thoughts on looking at your photos Becky are that - your spot at the side of your house is just yelling to have one of the many varieties of Viburnum planted in it

As apart from the fact a Viburnum would be ideal from a security point of view as they grow pretty densely - they are also one of the most attractive and versatile ornamental shrubs around - particularly as they are very adaptable to almost all conditions and locations - plus the fact that as all Viburnums are really low maintenance with really attractive evergreen or semi evergreen foliage as well as flowers - many of which are fragrant - think that would be an ideal replacement to your laurel or at least one that would be well be worth considering - especially as there are a hundred or so different varieties to choose from

 

[firelily99]

That was the first thing that I thought of too gata montes. It really looks like an ideal location for the viburnum, they really aren't fussy about where you plant them or demand much in terms of care.

 

[Becky]

Thanks for the advice, this sounds like an excellent idea! I could have a few different ones, and they smell really nice don't they? So far my record with them isn't great... we put one in our front garden and it died but I can only improve from there! Might pop along to our local nursery and see what they've got this weekend

 

[gata montes]

Thanks for the advice, this sounds like an excellent idea! I could have a few different ones, and they smell really nice don't they? So far my record with them isn't great... we put one in our front garden and it died but I can only improve from there! Might pop along to our local nursery and see what they've got this weekend

Oh now you've got me going - especially as I can just imagine how good two or three different varieties of Viburnum would look in that spot at the side of your house - as that is what I used to do with mine mix up the varieties - which as there are so many different varieties to choose from - it means that you can have both flowers and fragrance all year round - as there are even some that flower in the winter too and if you have any windows near to where they are planted - you'll find that their lovely scent will fill the rooms every time you have the windows open

They are pretty hardy plants - so don't think you'll too much trouble if choosing some from your local nursery - as they are sure to stock the varieties that will do well in your area and if you do decide to plant them - would love to know which ones you choose