i am trying my best to make my lawn smaller so I want to add a 3 foot border on both sides of front walk. I want a dwarf broadleaf...Not spreading....I want the mature height to be no more than 2 feet and spread the same.....my foundation shrubs are green/green and most have been there over 50+ years. I live in upstate SC so zone 7b. I don't want a lot of maintenance. Does anyone have any good suggestions? I also want to expand the borders to enclose the 70+ year old pecan trees.
Thanks
Lovely house!
I'd be careful not to overwhelm the yard, but you're aware of that.
I am in the same zone here. I like the Leucothoe that I got last year, a low spreading evergreen this one has variegated leaves in spring growth.. Sweet Box is also popular, low, and very slow growing, one friend called it glacially slow.
I'm sorry, I see now you wanted broadleaf.
Look for a 'nana' cultivar of something you like- it means small.
Hydrangea, at least some seem to stay within reason. So many shrubs grow really big.
Japanese Spireas is one I think of as short and neat.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/31532/
For a hardy, compact and easy perennial try hardy Geranium Biokovo
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/38287/
Evergreen, stays low and compact.
I think you'll be creating a larger mulched area, which will look great without mowing. Stepping stones will give some filler. I can see liriope/ mondo grass for some of this.
One of the little Nandinas ought to fit the 2 x 2 bill. Look for Harbour Dwarf, Gulftide, Firepower, or one like that.
