In article , Gilly
writes
I want colour and interest from year-round shrubs but I want lots of
perennial flowers. I want it all ..... but I can't fit it all in!

In my smallish garden the border is 30 feet long, but it's only 1 metre
wide. Each shrub takes up about 3 or 4 feet width so I have room for about
10 shrubs, but no flowers in front of the shrubs.

I've tried a mixed border -- my hydrangea has lovely flowers in late summer
but it's dull otherwise; rhododendron is lovely in spring but a green blob
the rest of the year. Ditto for my spirea, weigela, hebe and viburnum -
glorious when in bloom but dull and boring otherwise.

I like to faff about with plants, so I'm thinking I should chuck all these
shrubs and concentrate on perennials and various bulbs, but I'm worried
there'll be no structure in the winter.

I would go for all year round effect based on foliage and bark.
Something with big strongly sculptured leaves, some spiky leaves and
fine leaves to offset it, something with good coloured stems in winter,
something with long lasting berries and so on. Get your height from
climbers then you won't have to go for massive shrubs like hydrangea and
rhododendron.

When you choose your plants, make sure everything has two seasons -
flowers *and* berries, flowers *and* autumn leaf colour, berries *and*
pretty spring growth.
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"