Question
Hello! We have just installed a retaining wall on the front and side of our home.  The side of the home gets mostly shade so I have planted some Bleeding Hearts in that area. The front has shade towards the house and sun where the awning does not go over.  We are looking for some shrubs and perennials that would be good to plant in this area. We dont want to go overboard on color but would like some nice contrast due to a closer perennial garden with colorful flowers. Are there certain shrubs you would recommend that would not get too tall and would suit our needs?  Also, would it be better to use mulch or rock in the wall since it is against the house? Thank you for your time!

Answer
Hello Bethany,

First, I would use a triple ground bark blend mulch, don't mound the mulch against your house, and ask the supplier where they get their mulch from.  Shrubs for the front area: Nandina 'domestica' (great fall color and it evergreen) Chamercypris 'gold mop', Fothergilla 'dwarf

Hope this helped, sometimes it hard to visualize without pictures of the area.

Bud Christmann