whaas, the critical thing is, it that 6 hours of mostly morning sun (i.e. eastern exposure) or mostly afternoon sun (i.e. western exposure)?

What is the color of your house? I am thinking that if it's white or very pale, it may not work with white blooms.

Do you mind having just ugly sticks and not much else over winter in the front yard, where everyone will see? Or do you have other evergreens there so that it will not look just like sticks and nothing else?

In fact, a photo will speak volumes here... do you mind posting one please? Then we can really be more helpful here. Thanks!

This is an older photo but should give the idea. I thought about putting boxwoods in there and I am still considering but they just seem so boring.

This is an eastern/southeastern exposure.

I guess I can be talked into anything since I screwed up 3x already.

{{gwi:271942}}

Hi whaas - If you are looking for 4' Hs for the back of the foudation - I just read about a 'Mini Lime Light' ... have you also considered Oso Easy series of those yummy named pretties (Strawberry Crush, Peachy Cream, Honey bun, Paprika & Cherry Pie) ... sorry, I know you desire Hs, not roses ... I wish I have room for some of them! Sigh! Â:(

Oooooooooh! Ditas beat me to it! Whaas, I was also drooling over the photos of these mini Limelight the other day, and I thought of you! They are called "Little Lime" and you can find the photos at the online stores! They are supposed to grow anywhere from 3-5 ft only, so maybe that will suit you fine? I also find that the "skeleton" of the paniculatas to be a bit more decorative than the macrophyllas, so there is actually some degree of winter "interest" too...

Otherwise, if you heart is not set on hydrangeas there, how about having some evergreens next to the windows, and then grow some colorful perennials or very low shrubs in front of those evergreens? Then you will have your winter interest and a robust backbone for your yard?

I actually have Twist and Shout to the back (under the bay window) and then White Meidiland rose in front of those. I think the Twist and Shout are cashed out though.

Paniculata may be a better choice...to your point I think they have a more interesting winter skeleton.

I'll definitly check out the 'Little Lime'. I don't even own the original Limelight!

Worstcase I go with boxwoods under the windows.

When you say evergreens next to the windows do you mean a taller, narrower plant to the left and right?

whaas, no, I was referring to anything that is evergreen! Boxwoods are evergreens too....

I am not a big fan of the oakleaf hydrangeas, but might be good for what you are looking for. The new Little Honey and Pee Wee oakleaf get 3' by 3'. My number one choice would be the Invincibelle!

ostrich, sorry I thought you meant next to vs below the windows. You bet, boxwoods are evergreens.

I would opt for oakleaf but based on my research the flower buds die off around -12 degrees...I don't really want to protect anything.

I've already gotten burned on the twist and shout mac...I'm still amazed that all three are struggling...unless they are just very very very slow to put on any green growth. Clethra and rose of sharon are about to beat this plant out.

With Invincibelle being an anabelle its likely to be a good performer...but yet 'Jane' (little lime) looks pretty nice too...ahhh too many choices!

I can't believe I spelt Foundation wrong twice!

I have seen many Oakleafs in our area bloom even after our winter last year. But we are a little warmer than your area a true zone 5b. Most say that Oakleaves only struggle to bloom in the earlier years until that get established and thats only when the get damaged by the bad winters in our area. I have heard people have had bad allergic reactions when pruning them so I have always stayed clear of them. Plus I sort of dislike Pin Oaks for many reasons, so their foilage is not that attractive to me. Although the Little Honey is getting tempting with the yellow foilage. The Invincibelle would be my #1 choice! They would be very impressive!

Have you considered some of the small Hollies instead of the Boxwood? Evergreen and if you get mostly female you have the added interest of berries. I see a new one is out also if you wanted to anchor a slightly bigger one on each side of the window with the shorter ones in between. Claims something like a 1 ft width and not very tall either.

whaas~what is there now? I take it you are referring to the two groupings of four shrubs under the bay window, right? So far, you're doing a fine job, everything looks happy and healthy from here.

But I do understand, I re-did my foundation, oh, at least four or five times, including moving the inkberry hollies *this year* in front of, not behind, the KO ro*ses, heh heh. To think, I won a village award last year for "pride in property"! Too funny. They must've thought, enough already. But I digress...

I think you will happy with a panicled hydrangea, they have a great skeletal framework. Why can't the shrubs come up to window height? Quickfire would look good with the other plants you have.

I have Pee Wee oakleafs, and was put off a little by the old leaves hanging on into winter, which I have since learned is called marcescence. It really bugged me, but it may not bother you at all.

For the record, I know inkberry holly is native, but if I had to do it over again, I would use boxwood, less leggy. I'm always trimming, trying to keep mine filled in. A little yew hedge (Taxus cuspidata 'Nana') would work in front of any flowering shrub as well.

Or maybe the yews should go *behind* the flowering shrubs?! See...:O)

I have a bay window like yours. I just bought 3 Annabelle hydranges to plant under it. Site stated you should plant 3 3-4 feet apart and they will support each other.

I picked up three Buxus 'Green Velvet' to go directly under the middle window. I'm going to offset three hydrangeas in front and to the right.

Most likely Little Lime ('Jane') or Tickled Pink. I was thinking about Invicibelle Spirit but I saw a more mature one via the web and it was too over the top.

If Invincibelle Spirit is too over-the-top but you like the thought of a pink arborescens, you could try h. arb. 'Eco Pink Puff':

http://yfrog.com/jaecopinkpuffj

It's definitely a more delicate pink than Invincibelle Spirit, and is not near so flamboyant.

Whaas, what did you end up planting under the bay window? I have a similar window and am considering little lime. I was going to plant knockout roses but have been invaded by japanese beetles for the second year in a row..........

I used Tickled pink and Knockout rose as the flanks to the boxwoods.