I recently moved into a new home and I'm eager to start landscaping the front yard. I'm specifically looking for shrubs that can reach a height of about 5 to 6 feet, thrive in clay soil, and can tolerate around 6 to 7 hours of direct sunlight daily. Flowering isn't a priority for me; I just want them to look lush without blocking any windows. Pruning is fine, but I want to avoid species that naturally grow over 10 feet since that would be hard to manage. I'll ensure they get water during dry spells as well. We already have a few boxwoods that I plan to relocate.
1 Answer
Hydrangeas are a solid choice for your criteria! They do well in full sun in northern areas, and they add a lovely touch to landscaping. Besides hydrangeas, you might also consider elderberries. They come in fun colors like purple and lemon-lime, and they're pretty hardy. Other good options are Rose of Sharon (just make sure to choose a sterile cultivar), hardy hibiscus, smokebush, and lilac. I've planted all of these in clay soil, and adding compost twice a year really helps improve the soil quality.
Good luck with your garden!
Thank you for the suggestions! We're totally new to gardening and struggled to find options that fit between the "grows to 10+ feet" and "only grows to 2-3 feet" categories. I've noticed the wine weigela varieties look beautiful but wasn't sure if they'd maintain a lush appearance based on what I saw. Hydrangeas are on my radar too, but I’ve heard they can be picky, which makes me a bit anxious. Also, I appreciate the note about the sterile version of Rose of Sharon; they really are lovely!