Garden help - what to plant
We are slowly trying to improve our garden this year - last year we added the raised decking, this year we have built raised beds where there was previously a sloped grass verge and heaps of old garden waste. We have also had a new shed put in that I will paint (urban slate probably) - the fence will be painted in the same colour too - once we get more than one dry day in a row...
I could really do with some suggestions for what to do with the area to the left of the raised bed / to the right of the shed.
We have a southwest facing garden, so that area is in full sun until the afternoon. I would ideally like some sort of bush / large evergreen, also something that will flower. I am also planning some sort of small pond/water feature to cater for all the frogs we get in our garden :)
Any ideas will be greatly appreciated!
Comments (9)
annavall
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Front garden planters, plants and hedging
Comments (23)I think Photinia would get too large and unruly for planters on top of the walls. They need managing otherwise they get very large and have a very loose form. Personally I'd opt for something that is more consistent in form and shape without too much upkeep and provides an attractive green backdrop to your beautiful house rather than competing with it for attention! Something like Buxus or Japanese box (Euonymus Green Rocket) as alternative to avoid issues with Box blight. Alternatively Privet is a good reliable evergreen hedger particular well suited to urban situations as they tolerate pollution. Either way its worth adding some water retaining granules and slow release fertiliser to the soils to give them a boost. At least you're planting at a good time to avoid stressing them in the dry summer months. Good luck!...See MoreEast facing patio garden- help with planting please?
Comments (7)Hi, I also have an east facing garden! Here are some plants that work well in my garden. Sorry if the spelling is not all exact my Latin is rusty. For evergreen structure. (Large evergreen shrubs) Pittosporum tenifolium Prunus Lusitanica Elegagnus pungens manaculata Deciduous large shrubs, Viburnum plicatum maresii Syringa Charles joly Hydrangea panaculata Small trees Cratagus monogyna (good for birds) Betula pendula Smaller plants and flowers that work for me. Geranium johnsons blue Lavendula angustifolia Geum Mrs bradshaw For shady spots these work well planted together Vincor minor Ferns - Matteuccia struthiopteris Anemone honourine jobert Hope these suggestions help these are growing happily in my east facing spot. Good luck...See MoreGarden help - what to plant here?
Comments (6)Hi, lavender is a good choice but wouldn't necessarily keep the weeds down. Bark mulch is the same, even with a weed barrier underneath, over time the weeds will find space to grow. I know because I tried it last year, it kept down the majority of weeds tho. Your best bet is an evergreen ground cover, vinca minor and ajuga are both compact, low growing and will spread quite quickly. Also have a look at campanula and geraniums, not always evergreen but good ground covering plants. This site has some good suggestions: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=818 If it were me I'd plant perhaps a mix of three different plants for variety. Juniper 'blue carpet', euphorbia for height, and ajuga or campanula 'fairy bells' next to the lawn. Oh, and pop a lavender near to the door for fragrance. Hope this helps:)...See MoreHelp needed with plants for garden.
Comments (1)Do you have a photo of the space to give an idea of scale? What direction does it face?...See Moretamp75
4 years agoannavall
4 years ago
Sonia
4 years agoOne of my favourite evergreens is Ceanothus. It has small evergreen leaves and beautiful blue flowers in late spring. It loves heat and is commonly called the Californian Lilac. I have Choisya Sundance too and I love it’s bright foliage and lovely white flowers. Have you considered climbers? One of my favourites evergreen climbers is Trachaelospernum , commonly called the Star Jasmine - White fragrant flowers in summer. Another beautiful summer evergreen that is not too tall is Cistus - pink or white flowers in summer and grey-green evergreen foliage. Here’s some images. Sorry can’t load them all for some reason!
CISTUS
annavall
4 years agoSonia
4 years agoHi annavall, yes the Cistus is in my garden. The raised pond is a recent addition and it came as a flat pack kit. Has to be painted before assembly so a bit of work, but the tank inside it is excellent quality, very tough.
ill try and upload the pics I couldn’t upload yesterday! Ceanothus is gorgeous and there are many types, but mine is evergreen and will get tall, which I want. Another great evergreen is Viburnum, loads of different species, all with lovely flowers. If you have acid soil, you could grown Camellias, Rhodendrons or Pieris, but they suffer in an alkaline chalky soil.
CEANOTHUS
VIBURNUM TINUS
PIERIS
FATSIA JAPONICA SPIDERS WEB (you can also get a plain green one)
annavall
4 years agoSonia
4 years ago
rachelmidlands