This is a steeply sloping, wide but shallow front garden that we planted last year.  Originally turfed and a nightmare to maintain it was a typical new build garden.  Poor soil and grass that was struggling.  We renewed the soil and stripped off the turf.  Then we used new FSC timber sleepers to create mini-tiers.  We chose an Amelanchier candanensis as a feature tree against the bare two storey brick wall.  It’s a great small tree with lovely blossom as you can see from the pictures, and even better autumn colour.

The rest of the site was planted with a mix of shrubs and herbaceous perennials to give year round interest.  Mixed green and blue slate of different grades were used as a deep mulch.

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Sarcococca hookeriana var digyna, otherwise known as Christmas Box is perfect for front gardens.  First of all it’s evergreen and slow growing so it’s both structural but easy to maintain.  It doesnt mind any position from full sun to shade so it’s great even for a north facing spot close to the house.  And that’s where you want to position it, close to your front door or on the edge of your path so that when you walk past it in the cold depths of February you’ll catch it’s fantastic scent.

It’s one of those plants that you dont notice, right up to the point when you smell it – then you’ll never forget it.  Plant several en masse for an even more striking effect combined with spring and summer perennials that will stand out against the dark green foliage.

Slow growing and easy to maintain the Magnolia stellata is a perfect specimen for a front garden.  The beautiful white flowers appear in early spring before the bright green leaves.  If you get close, you’ll be able to catch it’s scent so if possible position it where you can walk past it regularly.

Contrast it against a dark evergreen background either in a border or as a central feature in a bed or large container.  It likes a a bit of ericaceous (acidic) compost but is not too fussy.

Cultivars are available, some of which have traces of pink in the flowers.  Magnolia stellata ‘Rubra’ actually has dark pink flowers.