Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I live in Raleigh, North Carolina.  I'm wondering if you could please suggest what type of plants I could use, that would compliment the front of our house?  

I love Hydrangeas and Azaleas, but I realize they do not stay in bloom long.  However, when they are in bloom, they're beautiful.

Basically, what I am wanting to do is rip out the old bushes that look horrible, all along the front of our house, and plant something with lots of vibrant, and different color.  I have zero experience with planting and maintaining bushes.  But I'm willing to learn and if you suggest a particular plant, I will read up on it.  I do love color though.

But since most plants do not bloom "all year long" I am also torn between planting color, vs. planting just small, plain bushes, that can be easily maintained by periodical trimming.  

Thank you so much for your help!  I appreciate your time and I WILL do my homework, should you suggest a certain plant!

Beth Wilson
Raleigh, NC

ANSWER: Hi Beth,
Thanx for your question.  Can you tell me if the area you're wanting to plant gets full sun, partial sun, full shade.  Dry, wet, in-between.  How tall do you want the plants?  One thing I can think of off the top of my head is Knock-Out Roses (bloom all season) with some varietgated Hostas in front of the roses.  Let me know your conditions and I'll see what else I can think of.
thx,
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Tom,

It does get full sun.  There may be a bit of shade, but I think it's a safe bet to say, it's sunny.  I am not sure how tall I want the plants.  I want something neat looking, but colorful.  I have never heard of Knock-Out-Roses, but I will definitely google them, right now!  I am sorry if I wasn't too clear, on answering your questions.  You were very clear, but I'm not sure how tall I want the plants to be.  Since there are windows in front, I guess maybe 3, or 3.5 feet?  

Thank you so much for your help!

Beth
Raleigh, NC

Answer
Hi Beth,
Thanx for the follow up.  I'm not really much of a landscaper or lawn design person so, my taste in flowers, etc., may not be the politically correct standard for garden design...ha! ha! With that said, I can think of some continuously blooming plants you may want to consider.  Stella d'oro day lily (yellow), hardy hibiscus (pink, white, salmon, red), lavender, black-eyed Susan (yellow), butterfly bush (purple, white, pink, yellow but they can get tall and gangly), Russian sage (lavender), purple coneflower (pink, white), coreopsis (yellow), coral bells (heuchera-come in a variety of colored foliage with tiny flowers on a stem like hostas only bell-shaped), perennial salvia (purple), monarda (red, pink, white).

Now that you have a list of possibilities, you can create your own design.  Google the flowers to get an idea of their colors, height, spread, etc.  Or, you can consult one of our experts in the Landscaping section of Allexperts.  Just go back to Home/Garden and click on Landscaping.

I hope this helps.
Tom