Location: Magnolia TX

Ground area is roughly 20" x 40" in between my grade siding and my sidewalk walking into our gate. Whatever we put here can not intrude into the sidewalk area. The location faces North/ Northeast and will get morning sun however would get minimal sun in the afternoon/evening.

Soil is a good for the first few inches then we hit clay around 6-8" down. Not a particularly well draining area but for sure doesn't hold water on the surface.

We put a juniper in there however it hasn't grown much at all in the past 18 months and looks blah.

Since it is facing north, go with something a bit more cold-hardy. Wax leaf ligustrums and red tip photinia are two old standbys that are pretty rugged and will hand the clay. When you are ready to plant them, pour 3-4 tablespoons of HastaGro concentrate into the holes, and fill up the hole with a hose. Let that mixture sit for 15-20 minutes to saok in. The HastGro has millions of microbbes that will get into the clay and loosen it up over time. It is very mild and will not burn your plantroots. Make sure you water your new shrubs every day or two for the first few weeks, then water every week for the forst few months until they are established.

Bird78 said:

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Since it is facing north, go with something a bit more cold-hardy. Wax leaf ligustrums and red tip photinia are two old standbys that are pretty rugged and will hand the clay. When you are ready to plant them, pour 3-4 tablespoons of HastaGro concentrate into the holes, and fill up the hole with a hose. Let that mixture sit for 15-20 minutes to saok in. The HastGro has millions of microbbes that will get into the clay and loosen it up over time. It is very mild and will not burn your plantroots. Make sure you water your new shrubs every day or two for the first few weeks, then water every week for the forst few months until they are established.

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Neither of those will stay within the space allocated by the OP. I would recommend a walters viburnum or dwarf wax myrtle.

Nandina

Man two for three on replies suggesting invasive garbage plants.

Oruc Reis said:

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Man two for three on replies suggesting invasive garbage plants.

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I was thinking it, but wasn't gonna say it.. Thanks for saying it.

txags92 said:

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Oruc Reis said:

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Man two for three on replies suggesting invasive garbage plants.

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I was thinking it, but wasn't gonna say it.. Thanks for saying it.

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Help your boy out here? Which ones are invasive?

Side note any thoughts on Rose of Sharron?

Ligustrum, photenia and nandina. The worst of the worst.