This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Suggestions welcome for a complete beginner
Hello... I’m looking for some advice and inspiration as I have no idea what I’m doing as a complete beginner.
I’ve attached a photo of our little planting area outside the front of our house on the driveway. We’ve just dug out all the weeds and removed a tree so we can start again from scratch. The wall needs some attention, so once that’s done we’re looking to create something that looks good (obviously) but is fairly low maintenance (given that our gardening skills are low).
As you can see at the moment it looks like nothing! Very dull.
The direction of the photo is south, so it doesn’t get much sun at all, especially in the corner.
Thoughts so far:
- some creeper or alpine plants amongst some rocks
- lots of things to climb up the wall
- use of the pot recently removed from our chimney
Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions for what they would do with this space? Any suggestions for specific plants? I’m totally open to suggestion.
If if anyone can recommend some photos to look at of what could be done that would be helpful.
Thanks in advance!
Matt

I’ve attached a photo of our little planting area outside the front of our house on the driveway. We’ve just dug out all the weeds and removed a tree so we can start again from scratch. The wall needs some attention, so once that’s done we’re looking to create something that looks good (obviously) but is fairly low maintenance (given that our gardening skills are low).
As you can see at the moment it looks like nothing! Very dull.
The direction of the photo is south, so it doesn’t get much sun at all, especially in the corner.
Thoughts so far:
- some creeper or alpine plants amongst some rocks
- lots of things to climb up the wall
- use of the pot recently removed from our chimney
Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions for what they would do with this space? Any suggestions for specific plants? I’m totally open to suggestion.
If if anyone can recommend some photos to look at of what could be done that would be helpful.
Thanks in advance!
Matt

0
Posts
The euonymous will grow up the wall if planted close to it - similar to a climber - but doesn't need support. Chaenomeles [ Japanese quince ] will grow there in that aspect, and will sit 'vertically'. Proper climbers would need a support of trellis or wires and vine eyes, so it may be better to keep it simple.
You could try things like the alpine phloxes for planting at the edge as they will drop over it. They tend to like a reasonable amount of sun so that will really only work in the bit at the front. The perennial candytuft [Iberis] would be fine in the other bits for trailing over the edge though. The geraniums will also do that if planted right at the edge
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Alchemilla Mollis, Bergenia Cordifolia, and Tradescantia Andersoniana are other plants that can smother the areas in summer. All are not too fussy on soil or aspect. Just rip any plants out if they grow beyond their areas.
Prep the ground well before planting [ compost and well rotted manure ] and as you plant each specimen. A general feed of something like blood, Fish and Bone in the planting hole is beneficial too. Water everything in really well, and add a mulch of bark or gravel, which helps retain the moisture, and finishes everything off well. That will set it up for you for a good while.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've just had a quick look and some of those look really good. Particularly like the look of the Japanese quince, vinca minor, and the cotoneaster horizontalis. I might try and go with more evergreen things so that it looks good all year round (or am I being a bit too optimistic there?).
I think you can make that area look good all year round. Take a look at Liriope muscari. There are blue and white versions to add colour late into autumn time. The leaves can remain evergreen in protected surroundings like yours.