Hi, we need to know how much sun it gets/which way it is facing :-)

Hi the bed is on the east side of my house.

Gets some sun from midday onwards but mostly receives afternoon sun from the west.

Silver Birch at end and cars when parked do create some shadow so wouldn’t say this was a particularly sunny area.

Previously this area had a long very out of shape hedge. The fence was broken behind so needed to be replaced. Here is photo before.

I don't think lavender would do very well there. What do you think of a whole row of white hydrangeas? If the soil isn't too dry? Although I think that there are some hydrangeas that tolerate a drier soil, Hydrangea Paniculata for example. And perhaps stain the fence black? I found some photos that also have trees in it, but since there are some beautiful large trees there, I don't think it needs more trees. So I would only put shrubs there. Before you plant anything, improve the soil (if you haven't already).

Thanks Carolina. The soil seems ok but other beds have a sandy feel so may need to add something as you mention.
I like the look in the first picture. Not so keen on last picture.
Just wondering what it would look like when not in flower. I will have a browse for some other images.

When not in flower they just have the leaves and the dead flowers (which I think can be quite attractive), further into winter and early spring they are bare stalks. But they flower for months. I would underplant them with an evergreen ground cover like Vinca minor, either a variegated leaf one or the 'normal' one (the blue flowers) or Pachysandra (the white flowers). That will give you year round interest and you won't have to weed.

Love Carolina’s suggestions. If you want low maintenance then I’m not sure lollipop trees such as Bay would be suitable. They are pruned into that shape and will grow outwards if not pruned into the shape each year rather like a round hedge. Of course if you don’t mind doing that, they do have that modern look. You can also get Privet in that shape as well as lavender. Sounds like your garden faces west if it gets sun later in the day. I wonder if a series of low growing shrubs would do the trick? Things like Hebe, lovely purple or white flowers on a rounded evergreen shrub or Skimmia a small shrub with lovely berries. You could plant a couple of dwarf fruit trees in between which only reach about 10 feet. There are also miniature conifers which create a nice mound, or the tall thin conifer Cypress you see in Italy. Here’s some ideas, the first two are Hebes but they come in lots of leaf colours. The last is Skimmia Japonica.

Sorry missed the Skimmia phot!

Zoom in on flower bed at the back. Some good ideas there. Maybe larger shrub on the left to balance with tree on the right? Or if you want to put in even more effort: an additional raised wooden sleeper bed in the centre, with lollipop tree and tulips/daffs underneath? Good luck - it is going to look beautiful!

Hampstead Small Garden · More Info

Apologies for the delay but thanks everyone for all the ideas. Very helpful.
I am looking forward to planting this up when the weather is a little warmer.
I will update with a photo once it’s done next year.
Thanks again

I liked the previous hedge, smart and somewhere for the birds to

Soil will be poor because of the old hedge. Bulbs are a must as they have their own food storage. What about a variety of herbs such as sage - you can find 3 or 4 different varieties/colourways quite easily with different thymes. Useful, colourful, smell good, bees love them and they'll spill over and take to being cut back once in a while. Or a variety of different hardy geraniums.

All good ideas. You could also try googling 'low maintenance perennials'. Hostas work really well surrounded by spring bulbs like daffodils. The hostas die back in winter then spring up just after many bulbs are starting to die back and look tatty. They're also shade friendly and don't need particularly good soil. A mix of small shrubs as suggested above and perennials can work well too although keeping to a limited number of different types, esp as it sounds like you and your husband both want it quite neat looking.

Sorry it’s a bit late, I’ve just seen this post. Adding to the above suggestions (I’m a lazy gardener) whatever you plant, to make an impact, create a pattern, just 2 types alternating, one taller than the other or mirror the design start at each end with a tall plant and work inwards to shorter ones or vice versa but paint the fence first. I’d keep it minimal too, plenty of space between the plants and add bark or gravel over weed suppression fabric. Trust me it saves loads of time over the year, we had a large shaded patch at the front of our house which we eventually (after 10 years of weeding ) replaced with 3 plants in the middle (holly and a hebe either side) and some bark surrounded by turf. 2 years on and I’ve only needed to pull out a small occasional weed.

Anyone know how you would create this ‘fire wall’ style - is it just vertical fence panels?

Photocredit @ pollyannawilkinson.com

Hi - I see you have lots of ideas already and so hope that I am not too late with my suggestions? I had a similar aspect border in my last house which might well work in your situation. I planted it up with ferns , which come in many different varieties and forms and other plants which I felt complemented the shape of the ferns or added ground cover . These included hostas, hellebores, lily of the valley, pulmonaria, alchemilla mollis and sweet woodruff (a personal favourite with star shaped leaves and tiny starry white flowers which add a real sparkle in Spring). I found this you tube video which may be helpful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAi0_25DsUE

Sorry I forgot to add geraniums which can either be allow to spread or some varieties make lovely rounded clumps