Landscaping question (porch)

[simpsongal]

I'm trying to plan some landscaping for our new porch.  The front part will be mostly evergreens, duplicating other shrubs in front of the house (e.g., Japanese pieris, gold mops, weeping Norway spruce).  I'm going to put some mountain laurel along the shady back part (maybe a few other plants too).

But what about the side of the porch? I think the side might be a good opportunity for deciduous, summer color.  It gets quite a bit of sun (SW facing).  Do you think it would look okay to do mostly summer blooming plants like hydrangea, spirea, butterfly bush?  Would all the same plants look best or a variety?  I'm thinking a little uniformity would look nice. 

I need to take measurements, but I think I'd want bushes that get at least 5 feet tall, so you can see some of the blooms from the porch.  I've probably got about 5 feet in width to work with.

Also, treedimensional you might know, the floor finishers will not come for at least 6 weeks but they will be washing the floor w/TSP & bleach.  Should I wait to plaint until after they come?  I don't want to wait too long since DC has brutally hot/humid summers, but I also hate to douse new plants in chemicals.

[simpsongal]

May 22, 2015 9:56:13 GMT -5 @peggyolson said:

What about a rhododendron? They are beautiful when they bloom but are evergreen as well!

I think they prefer a little more shade.  We have 3-4 in the backyard that are visible form the porch.  I'd also prefer something that blooms a little later than spring (we've got spring color pretty well covered). 

[simpsongal]

May 22, 2015 10:09:53 GMT -5 @juno said:

Oh, DC what about some sort of cherry as a centerpiece? We have a dwarf cherry that was shaped into a spiral in our front yard and it's really beautiful in the spring. Alternatively, a small dogwood could be really beautiful too.

I was thinking of doing a small specimen like that - though I was thinking of a pee gee hydrangea.  Not sure though.  That corner is the perfect place for something like that, right?  DH doesn't want to obstruct the view too much.

The big tree right behind the porch with the branches cascading over the porch is actually a yoshino cherry tree - it's going to be a spectacular view next spring!

[treedimensional]

You have to do at least one Viburnum!
Other flowering, deciduous, full-sun shrubs I love are Weigela, Physocarpus (maroon leaves), and Philadelphus (fragrant).

[treedimensional]

Doublefile Viburnum:

www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-database/shrubs/doublefile-virburnum.aspx