Does anyone have any advice on a cheap leafy welcome bush for pots on either side of my front door?

[Manana]

I have put several plants out there and each one has died so is there anything hardy enough for the winter which has a nice look to it? I maybe going to homebase so any tips would be welcomed on what i should be looking out for.
M.

[horseshoes]

Beware of buying those lovely box bushes - they smell just like cat's wee. My Mum used to have them either side of her door and the poor cat was getting blamed for spraying!

[Manana]

Are they overpowering? What should I avoid?

[craft1948]

I've given up buying plants for outside my door......they all die off with windburn.

[Manana]

Windburn? If that's just wind then you've came across a good point there craft1948 because they would be exposed to wind but would be covered from rain as my porch is covered.

[237SJ]

I suppose it depends if the front door is north facing. I gave up trying to find anything for my north facing front door. Otherwise, how about a Eunonymus? They come in lots of colours and they`re evergreen as well

[digger1]

Whats green , shiny and hardy - and seasonal too = HOLLY

[Manana]

Thanks i will keep them both in mind when I go out shopping, i suppose I will just have to go out and see a wide range and try and vision what would look the best though holly definitely would be apt for the time of year. Is holly an all year bush as I cannot for the life of me remember seeing one in summer.

[237SJ]

I thought holly was a tree. I`m not sure you`d get that in a pot.

[smurfchops]

You could try miniature slow growing conifers with some winter or spring pansies around the edges. Keep well watered though, specially in sunlight.

[pastafreak]

If you want some colour-here's an article on suitable plants that you can transfer to the garden in spring...... http://www.gardenseek..._winter_container.htm

This may help also http://www.ehow.co.uk...inter-containers.html

Heather is mentioned...anything that survives on moorland should be hardy....lol

[NazNomad]

Hebe - Green Globe.

:-)

[tigerlelly]

How about a viburnum? They flower at this time of year and can be trained as standards. You would need large pots though.

[Manana]

Smurfchops It's winter and below freezing at night, we won't be seeing sunlight for a long time I bet. I think you're spot on with the Connifers though, are they pricey?

[Manana]

Something like that naz.
Tigerlelly that's a tree going by the google images, to big!
I think I'll have quite a list when I do go, are the homebase workers up to par in their horticulture knowledge so i can also ask advice there?

[NazNomad]

I had one of those Hebe's planted in an old chimney-pot for years, in all conditions. Couldn't kill the bugger ... It's about 4ft across now, and in the ground, superb dome-shape.

[pastafreak]

B&Q may be better...or a good garden centre.

[nonomaybe]

Manana, do a bit of surfing first before you rush off to buy possibly another unsuitable Plant.There are many sites from which you can decide on your "victim", as Homebase and the other non-specialist retail centres don't often carry a range of suitable candidates.

[Manana]

Sounds just like what I'm looking for naznomad.
Patafreak I knew there was a shop I thanks for the reminder.
Nonomaybe Im not the best greenfingered person in the world and the wold of plants is a huge one and I will be happy to explore it as i gain more experience.
Thanks all and have a good evening.

[landscaper2]

Has anyone mentioned bay? Can be clipped quite succesfully. All shrubs planted near the house will need regular watering usually, due to their being sheltered by overhanging eaves and possibly the prevailing weather.

[rccatnap]

If you want to get a special plant for your situation, B&Q, Hombase and the like, are the very last places you should go to. Their staff are not botanists and they never claim to be. Go to a good nursery first, or a good garden centre with a reputable enquiry desk, with knowledgeable staff second. They will want to know the layout of where you intend to place the plants and the kind of weather conditions you experience. Decide exactly how much work you're realistically prepared to give these plants. Be honest with yourself and you'll find you'll get reasonable advice. Some of these bushes/plants can be quite pricey, so it's in your interest to get advice from the experts. Many of the previous answers here may well be good for you, but none of them know exactly what your situation is. Good luck.