colourful shrubs

[stevie m]

We are looking to re-vamp our south facing garden, and would like to put in some shrubs that hold their colouring all year round, not too tall say around 1 metre. Greens, red, yellows etc,  that are not too rampant. If anyone can give some ideas i`ll google it to research. Many thanks.

[Impret-Sir]

Try a Cotinus "Royal Purple" or smoke bush as they are sometimes called. Or how about a Pearis, "Flame of the forest" is the best for colour.

[Robinia]

I'll try to think of a few favourite evergreens for you but this is a great site for browsing ideas & helpful ideas about planting & combinations etc.

Yellow -
Choisya -goldfingers is a lovely new variety, I've been looking for it myself.
Lonicera nitida - Baggesons Gold (easily clipped to shape)
Euonymous - several variegated varieties
Thuja occidentalis Rheingold -slow growing conifer that will stand a bit of clipping

Green
Hebe - lots of varieties with lovely flowers
Viburnum - some grow tall but will stand pruning
Olearia haastii
Mahonia -choose a low growing variety & not if you have small children, it's very sharp!
Rosemary

Grey
Artemisia
Salvia officinalis (Sage)
Perovskia

Interpret-Sir Cotinus is a lovely shrub but it will lose it's leaves in winter - great autumn colour!

 

[Clanad]

And, in Britain, especially, don't forget the venerable Yew... There are at least three different varieties and they lend themselves nicely to trimming for desired shape...

[shaneystar]

Two that are doing well in my garden are Choisya ternata or Mexican orange blossom...lush green foliage ..but white flowers.
Weigela Florida variegata.. Which has gold and cream leaves and rose pink blooms.
Spiraea is nice too although some are decidous. I have magic carpet ..Spiraea japonica..golden leaves and deep pink flower heads....and depending where you live Fatsia Japonica...but this can grow quite big but is lovely as a focal point.