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Trailing border plant conundrum

jblockhartjblockhart Posts: 32
in Plants
We are having a summerhouse built and re-landscaping the back garden. As you can see from the photos, I have designed a steps and ramp access from the lower back garden (rear elevation of the cottage) to the upper elevation where the summer house is being built. The feature is prominent. Surrounding the birdbath will be gravel that matches the brick and gravel paths. I want to plant a trailing border plant around the edge of the feature that will provide year-round greenery and, hopefully, flower. I do not want anything tall as it will impede the view to the back garden from the rear elevation of the cottage. One side of the feature is elevated and suited to a trailing plant and the other side is ground level and suited to a spreading plant to soften the edges. I do not want ivy nor vinca as both were inherited with this garden and are invasive menaces here in Somerset. White and strong green colours would suit the area very well. I have experimented with miniature roses, alchimilla mollis, sedums (still evident in the photo) and strawberries over the past few weeks and none do the trick. I am considering thymes or prostrate rosemary, but they seem a bit boring for such a large surround. Any ideas please? Thanks, James Lockhart.
James
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Posts

  • Jason millyJason milly Posts: 546
    Try candytuft 
  • jblockhartjblockhart Posts: 32
    Thanks for the suggestion Jason. One that I've not thought of! James
    James
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    What a beautiful garden space you've created. Looks fantastic!
    I had a concrete planter with Thyme Jekka that was flowing over the sides and looked good. It has glossy evergreen leaves and flowers in summer.
    I would have posted a pic, but I've dug it up and split it into 12 separate plants to edge my pond with.
    Another thyme that behaves very well is Porlock Thyme. It doesn't trail but creeps and forms a lovely flat neat mound and it doesn't go straggly like some others. Lovely bright purple flowers too.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • jblockhartjblockhart Posts: 32
    Hello Pete! Thanks for the feedback. It has been a mammoth project for us and the back garden is nothing as it used to be. Today the last load of gravel arrives, the snaggings should be completed and in two weeks the fountain installed. Then we can call it finished, 'move in' and start pottering in the garden! I have looked at images of the Thyme Jekka and the Porlock Thyme and they look like winners too. I especially like the look of Jekka. Thanks so much for the suggestion.
    James
  • autumngloryautumnglory Posts: 255
    I know you said evergreen but I think some white aubretia would look lovely tumbling down by the steps.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Snow in Summer ... Cerastium tomentosum ... silvery green carpeting/trailing growth with a froth of white flowers in the summer.  It'll be perfect there  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • jblockhartjblockhart Posts: 32
    Thanks autumnglory and Dovefromabove. Two more great suggestions. I was really struggling for ideas and now I'm spoilt for choice!
    James
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited June 2018
    I'd echo cerastium as well, but don't rule out things like the alpine phloxes and arabis. Not really evergreen as such, but trail beautifully. I have a white one of each - the arabis flowers early on and then the phlox takes over. 

    Meant to say too - it looks terrific James. Lovely for sitting out in   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • jblockhartjblockhart Posts: 32
    Fairygirl, thank you so much! The photo of yours is lovely. Now I have a new problem - which plant to go for!  :)
    James
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited June 2018
    I can visualise the cerastium, like silver and white foam spilling out over the wall,  <3  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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