by Kelley
(Varina Virginia)
I don't like the look of dead flowers so I think "evergreens" would be best. I'm not a gardener in any sense of the word - I can't even figure out which parts of my yard are part shade, filtered shade, partly sunny..... However, my front yard is open, therefore full sun, and I like plants around my mailbox. I don't think the soil is that great. I live in Varina Virginia.
There are a lot of nice evergreen plants that will look good around your mailbox. Usually, a taller evergreen behind the mailbox with some smaller ones on the sides and front is a nice approach. It sounds like you want to keep the design simple which is good because its not something you want to draw attention to, but it should look neat and clean all year.
Two evergreen recommendations for the taller plant behind the mailbox is False HInoki Cypress or Conoy Viburnum. The False Hinoki Cypress is tall and linear reaching 5-6 feet at maturity. This plant gives a non traditional look. The Conoy Viburnum in comparison has a rounded growth habit and will give a more traditional appearance. It gets about 3 feet at maturity and has white flowers in the spring.
Two recommendations for the dwarf evergreen on the sides and front is Harbor Belle Dwarf Nandina. This plant has a soft appearance and gets red berries in the winter. A pretty dwarf conifer (needle like foliage) that works well here is Bird's Nest Spruce. It has a slight blue tint to the foliage.
All these plants like sunny conditions. Realize that newly installed plants have a limited root system and need regular watering for at least the first two years. Most landscape plants continually thrive if watered regularly. In VA, fall is the best time for planting because of the cool temperatures.
Condition the soil before planting with compost. Till the planting area first and mix in the compost. Mulch with a shredded pine bark mulch. This is standard planting practice in the Central VA area. The soils here are dense and need organic matter.