In front of the roses are boxwood bushes and a mix of perennials such as lambs ear, creeping thyme, oregano etc. Behind the roses at the top of the slope is a row of Six Hills Giant Nepeta (catmint) that looks beautiful for several weeks but then just fades.

I need something with interest in mid to late summer and preferably in the fall. Winter interest would be a great bonus. A mix of things could be ok too. I am in zone 5B.

Any suggestions?

Picture with the Fairy Roses in bloom

Picture with the Fairy Roses fading.

I never would have said "change style please" but it was one of my first thoughts.

And there is nothing better than giant broccoli.

I totally agree on the need for bigger leafed items. I have a lot of tiny leafed plants right now and there is nothing with bigger leaves to give some impact. Most hydrangeas don't do great in my area. I can grow the Annabelle Hydrangea that is white or some of the Paniculas. I am concerned that all of these get so large that they would cover over the boxwood bushes.

Hostas don't love my yard either. Part of it is too sunny and then the shady part under the tree, they don't grow. No idea why. I keep trying and no luck. I would love to get some of the hostas with the big leaves that are yellow & green striped.

Are there any other shrubs with large leaves like hydrangeas that take up less space?

Is the tree yours? If you want to grow anything under there, it will eventually be an either-or question, tree or plants. An area of just mulch under the tree might be a welcome calm spot in the yard.

You are in the position that anyone is who relies on a cottage garden as landscaping. Winter interest? Zilch. Structure? Zilch. Accessibility? Bad. Focal points: almost invisible. Specifically, I had to search the photo - fairy roses? What fairy roses?

Don't get me wrong, I live in an even more chaotic jumble of plants and I love it. But you have to know what you can get out of it, and what the trade-offs are.

I started a few years ago removing several deciduous shrubs and replacing them with Rhodos, which I love. I don't know if Rhodos would grow for you; many are quite hardy. And many can tolerate sun if there is enough water. Perhaps some stone to retain the slope would serve multiple purposes... structure, focal point, and moisture retention/root cooling in summer.

Viburnums might be another option for you; also deciduous azaleas? Check your local speciality nurseries - they'll usually sell anything that will work in your zone!

But it may not be big leaves you're after so much as strong plant form. Conifers can give you this too, often better. Something like a golden fastigiate yew might look pretty cool.

KarinL

Have you tried cutting the catmint back after mid-summer? You might get another flush of flowers later on, or at least a neater look.

If you don't like your roses, you might consider replacing with peonies. They don't bloom long, but they won't attack you, and for me the foliage looks great all summer long. How about adding some Siberian iris for the foliage and bloom.

Your window box plantings look pretty and healthy, but for some reason I'm thinking your house might look better without them.

I like your Annabelle hydrangea. Maybe add a couple more for a hedge.

Well said.

If you want perennials that flower at a certain time of year, you might check Bluestone or one of the other online nurseries that lets you search by numerous variables. Alternatively, you could put some annual seeds out and see what happens.

Best of luck. You have a smashing start.

If you are very brave, you can even try wildflower mixes for your area, if you are prepared to be quite severe with the plants that are quite in your face. [Last spring I dug up some small bit of grass and put perennials in for a cottage garden. The little plants looked so lonely, however, that I broadcast wildflower seeds, with a shocking outcome.

This is AFTER I cut down the sunflowers, which were scaring small children. I had non-stop riotous color until frost, but then a huge mass of plant matter to remove. Now I have located all of my perennials except the peony, which is not yet up, and I intend to be more judicious in my annual or wildflower plantings. Maybe alyssum and snapdragons.