Newbie here. Please help ID plants?

tasha.w75

Hi there!

I know virtually nothing about gardening, but desperate to learn.

We now have a fairly large garden and I don't recognize most of the plants! This is a small bed by the front door.

I think number 1 is a Camelia and I know that number 3 is a rhododendron. Any idea about the other ones, please?

Number 2 has the loveliest white flowers in late summer.

Any help would be hugely appreciated.

AnniD

Hello Tasha  Number 2 is a hebe, but l don't know which one, sorry.  We have some real plant experts on here who will be able to help you though! 

KeenOnGreen

I think number 5 might be a Euonymus, number 6 looks like Choisya Ternata (possibly Sundance), but need to see closer up photo.  Number 4 looks like my Pittosporum Wrinkled Blue, but would need to see a more detailed picture of the foliage.

Chrissy the gardener

First of all welcome to the forum if this is your first posting
number two is a Hebe
number five looks like Griselinia
number four is a Pittosporum 

Green Magpie

I agree with most of the above, but not sure about 6, it could be another type of Euonymus. If it is a Choisya it should have scented white flowers now or soon.

If you're right about the camellia and the rhododendron (and that is what they look like to me), that bed of young plants is too crowded, they won't all have room to grow fully. It think the best time to move any of them would be later in the year, perhaps early autumn, but someone else may confirm (or dispute!) this

Fairygirl

Green Magpie is right - most of those will need removed to give adequate space to just  three or so. The little vertical conifer by the door will need pruned and trimmed carefully or it will get too big as well. Autumn is a good time. 

If it's a very sunny site, I'd move the Rhodie and Camellia first, as they prefer shady spots, but the Hebe will be very happy and so will the Pittosporum and Choisya.

I think 5 might be a Euonymous as well, but I'd remove one of those [4 and 5 ] so that the remaining one has adequate space to grow well. They can both be pruned though 

josusa47

Are you aware that camellia and rhododendron need acid soil?  Have a look at gardens in the neighbourhood.  If you see camellias and rhododendrons flourishing in the ground, then your local soil is acidic and if your neighbours can grow them, so can you.  If you don't see any, or only growing in containers, then probably you have alkaline soil.  It doesn't mean you can't grow acid-loving plants, it just means you have to grow them in large pots or raised beds filled with ericaceous compost which any garden centre will be happy to sell you.  Or you can buy it online and have it delivered.

Borderline

I agree with others on photos 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. Photo 6 needs a closer look, but taking a guess based on the colour of leaves on photo 1 and 3, it may be a type of Pieris suffering from Chlorosis. The soil may be too alkaline for the plants.

tasha.w75

Thank you so much, everyone!

I still can't believe there are people out there who can look at LEAVES in a poorly taken photograph and identify a plant. Totally in awe of you all.

All these plants were already here when we bought the house 18 months ago, apart from number 2 (the Hebe?) which I planted because I saw it in God's waiting room that was Aldi's discount section. I had to try and rescue it, but had no idea what it was. 

Green Magpie , Fairygirl and JOSUSA47 your advice makes a lot of sense, thank you. It does look crowded and not particularly pretty. It's also a very sunny spot and it would appear the soil is alkaline. I don't know much about gardening, but I don't think I'll want to be fighting the type of soil I have, as it doesn't make much sense to me (kinda like embracing your curls or straight hair and making the most of it!)