What's best for a New garden?
+1
What is the best way to deal with a small plot of land at the side of my house, it gets full sun in the afternoon. I planted 5 bushes which are supposed to form a fragrant hedge, it seems only 2 have taken! There is a silver birch tree in the middle. I have an Acer and a twisted hazel tree in large pots and a standard rose & hydrangea all in pots. I don't know whether to place my pots strategically and put bark down or try to plant further easy to manage bush type plants so I don't have to do much work, I've just had my 70th birthday. and have a physical disability which means I can't kneel to plant. Hope someone might have ideas, I live in the North West of England UK 
Related Discussions
Suggested Project Book
Hi Christina,
Its not you, it may be that those bushes need some time before showing results.
Both of your ideas are good options, I think its going to come down to your personal choice. Easy to manage bushes are lovely if you want the more natural, rooted look. But I love how large planter pots look as well. So the good news is you can't go wrong!
But, for the sake of ease, and so you don't need to bend and the like I think your best bet would be pots, you can have better control over them, with less pain.
Best of luck!
I agree with Christina. My husband has a hard time getting around and we keep big pots of veggies at the side of our house so he can putz with them and not have to go up to the big garden up two terraces on the hill. He keeps his lettuce, peppers, a tomato plant and herbs where he can get at them(I end of taking care of them anyway!).
I think managing the plants in pots is easier than dealing with plantings. If you plant them you'll have to deal with weeds not to mention the kneeling. The only problem with pots is moving them. Hopefully that will not be often and someone will do it for you. Good luck!
Happy 70th! I'm into container gardening myself. Seems like Hillela and Nancy are, too. Perhaps the bushes need more time...? You didn't say what took and what didn't. The ones that didn't, can they be returned to the store for a refund or exchange? We have that type of guarantee on plants here in Georgia. Hope this helps. TeresaC