| Hello: I have an area in my backyard that I would like to landscape. The area is in full sun and will be visible from the driveway. Between the driveway and the backyard, there is a wooden post and rail fence. On the driveway side of the fence ia a row of hybrid tea roses. The new shrubs will be place just on the other side of the fence behind the roses. I'd like something that flowers but will only grow as tall as the fence which is probably 4 feet to the top rail. There is grass there right now which I will be removing. I don't know the soil conditions with regard to acidity or alkalinity but not far from where I plan to place these new shrubs is a flowering almond that seems to be doing fine. Any suggestions? |
| On the one hand I would caution you that anything that reduces air circulation around hybrid tea roses may be an invitation to fungal problems on the roses, and the shrubs may also create some root competition for the roses. On the other hand there are many shrubs you could consider, and that could complement the roses. You could look into dwarf red or golden barberry, the small summer blooming spireas, the blue flowered caryopteris, the semi-shrubby perennial perovskia or Russian sage, or something evergreen such as yew which can be trimmed at the desired size. |
