No Green Thumb

[lilac05]

Where do you live? You can look up what zone you're in & find easy plants for that zone. Some things are simple in one area & difficult in another.

[lilac05]

Google Hardiness or Garden zones. There's a USDA map that should show you. If you have a local nursery, they'd probably be more help. In general, though, whatever you find at a big box store will be reasonably able to grow in your climate. The tags will usually tell you how much sun & water each plant prefers.

Are you looking to plant stuff there that will come back every year, or just flowers for this season?

[treedimensional]

What is that stone ledge? Is it a porch, or something that gets regular foot traffic?
It's tough to make suggestions without seeing the complete layout, because it's important to consider how each area functions.
If it isn't going to block a pathway, you might consider putting an accent shrub there, such as Viburnum, to "anchor" that corner, and surround it with perennials you like.
I favor easy perennials that provide a lot of flower power. Bees especially love salvia. It comes in mostly purple, but also pink and white varieties (purple always does the best) and different heights. Some are only about 8" tall and some are double that. Salvia is EASY and establishes fast. Mine is already blooming (zone 7) and hasn't been watered since last summer. I planted it in the alley behind my fence. It's a tough area that is sunny and dry and the most attention it gets is from dogs (if you know what I mean).

[treedimensional]

I am not sure what species of Ficus is used for hedges in FL. There are many types of Ficus but I'm not sure if it's hardy in CT without knowing the Latin nomenclature.

Ficus is a fig tree species.

I found this: mgonline.com/articles/hedgelist.aspx

and I agree that Ficus is not a good hedge material. However, if it is not really Ficus (sometimes the common names used for plants are not really true to genus) it might be suitable; but you really need to know the Latin to be sure.

Edit: Ficus benjamina and Ficus nitida are both tropical hedge plants that shouldn't be used this way. They won't grow in CT and shouldn't be used for hedges anywhere.

[anodyne]

I am a huge advocate of local botanical gardens. Ours has an amazing website, that at first look can be overwhelming. We have a section called "Plants of Merit". It is a list of native plants that are naturally tolerant in the area = easier care for beginning gardeners. Not everything is low maintainence, but you can choose the ones that are.

On my visits to CT in the summer I am always amazed by the hydrangias. The soil type impacts the color and the ones in CT are the most beautiful blue. Here, they don't like full sun, but I am not sure if it is the same up north.

[treedimensional]

Apr 26, 2015 8:23:41 GMT -5 incognitotoday said:

Okay so I just took my dogs for a walk and saw these which I like. Maybe a local nursery will know. This is the height and compact size I want just to line the patio area. I can then put flowers at the base of these.

Could be boxwood, could be Japanese holly, probably the latter. They are cheap and abundant.

[mrspez07]

Apr 26, 2015 8:23:41 GMT -5 incognitotoday said:

Okay so I just took my dogs for a walk and saw these which I like. Maybe a local nursery will know. This is the height and compact size I want just to line the patio area. I can then put flowers at the base of these.

I think that looks like a jjuniper species without seeing it closer. Juniperus.they come in a gazillion of varieties from low to the ground to tree size. I'm not recalling a variety off the top of my head that would be a good hedge size. They are very easy to grow and maintain once established.

[auntie]

That space looks kind of shady.

Gorgeous yard.

If it were me, I'd fill it with shade loving perennials like hosta, ferns, astilbe, bleeding hearts and then tuck annuals like impatiens to fill in the spaces.

I might put potted plants along the edge as a visual barrier to prevent people stepping off.

[pumpkin]

I have no advice for you since I know nothing about plants and don't have a green thumb, but wanted to wish you luck! I have been doing something similar this weekend with ripping out most of the crap builder plants that were planted 15 years ago and relying on my neighbor's advice and guidance. We can do this!

[LadySusan]

No one has mentioned it yet, so I will preach the importance of soil amendments like compost. The goodies in compost will help whatever you do end up putting there to thrive for many years.

My vote would be for tough Mediterranean herbs like catmint, rosemary, lavender and salvia also known as sage. They're easy although they won't really make a tall living fence.