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New house & garden
Lyn Plant-Wells
Posts: 338
in Plants
Hi folks. Just moved to 'the island' and have one or two queries for all you wise forkers. Front border is north facing (see pic) and has been planted up by the developers with speckled laurel and another shrub (see other pic) both of which will come out as I would prefer some colour and variety. I plan to add a couple of paving slabs (access for cleaning windows/getting to gas meter) and maybe some gravel but want plants/flowers in between. Local cats are a problem - don't want to provide a outsized loo tray! Any suggestions for shade loving plants? I may dispense with the porch supports - wouldn't mind a climber/trellis somewhere on the front of the house. A bit of laurel/other shrub will stay as it would belong to my neighbour on the R. 
I will also have questions re back garden but will save that for another day! Not sure what the clump is and the other shrub in pic? Thanks guys.
I will also have questions re back garden but will save that for another day! Not sure what the clump is and the other shrub in pic? Thanks guys. 0
Posts
The flat slate stuff might be a better option?
Edit: Just seen the brick paving or/on road, they might be nice in patches or little blocks of a few set together instead of slabs, and use to widen your path at the door. Very versatile and easy to move around and plan.
Using more slabs spaced out with a simple ground cover plant in between another idea.
Mud and dirt by the front door have you noticed if it rains hard you end up with mud splash on your path?
Sorry to disagree with Borderline, I think the grassy looking one seems too curvey and dark for Crocosmias. Is it hard or soft leaves?
It might be a Carex if the leaves are hard and not a soft fleshy one.
A bit of root rhizome, tuber or bulb might help identify it this time of year.
It is nice you have some bulbs coming up there.
I have to say (shh don't tell) the spotty laurel is not my favourite plant poor thing, though I am sure they are good for something and do appeal to some
Polystichum ferns are nice wintergreen and do not do too badly in pots they can put up with a bit of dryness though will be nice and lush if you water them.
There are some very pretty forms and some flop over nicely when they get big fronds so in a pot can look good.
Also with a pot display you can change it around when things go over or look untidy.
Though it may be more work than you want or have time for. is only a suggestion.
Good luck in your new home and garden.
I am very curious about the label with the letters on. Won't mention more in case it identifiable with house, or if @Lyn Plant-Wells wishes to remove it,
I agree that isn’t crocosmia, some type of grass though.
As the border is so narrow I'd simply cover the whole thing in more of those pebbles near the front door - attractive, not inviting to felines and if you leave no gaps where the sun can get to the soil, no weeds either.
Consider shrubs with colourful winter stems - cornus alba sibirica is easy and very striking - or with colourful winter foliage like nandina domestica. Sedums would also be good there and would provide colour plus nectar and pollen for friendly insects in late summer.
I wouldn't mess with the porch supports as there's a whole row of them and changing yours would break up the whole and look odd. There may even be something in the deeds about them but you could always put in an obelisk to grow climbers - if the soil is rich enough and gets enough water.
Border is 11' long x 6'4"
The cul-de-sac is very quiet - I don't think it's the type of neighbourhood for walking pots. (Most of the houses have containers and hanging baskets outside.)
I was hoping to use mainly perennials - colour rather than just green shrubs.
I haven't investigated the soil much but there seems to be pockets of sand, some compost and rotted bark mulch. I intended to add organic matter/compost as nothing had been done to the border by the previous owner since house was built. I have removed the slate chippings on the L side of paved path as I don't like the dark grey colour. Gravel will be the same as in my previous front garden (pale beige-white.) see pic.
The border doesn't appear to get any sun - however, I suppose it must get some in summer, I should have taken more notice when viewing the house in May!
The 'clump' is too big for the front of the border so I intend to remove it. (Could it be Day Lilies?) There is also a small, stunted hydrangea which I might move. The stones are semi-temporary to help deter cats since removing the speckled Laurel. I haven't noticed rain splashing soil onto the front path so far.
I did bring some flat, creeping ground cover plants with me to put at the front (purple/green leaves with pretty blue flowers - not sure of name but it spreads like mad.) Also brought some Campanula.
The sign is GUR - Ground Under Repair - as seen on golf courses.
Apologies for this overly long post.
Sounds like your creeping purple/green leaf plant may be Aguga Reptans. Could be wrong...The soil sounds like it will be quite dry since it is against the wall of your property. Your borders may be shaded now, but could be getting more sun as the year moves on, so possibly plants that like a semi shaded aspect that copes well with a dry soil.
Japanese Anemones, Geraniums, Astrantias, Bergenia, Heucheras, Aquilegias and Alchemilla Mollis. Sarcococca Hookeriana evergreen shrub - winter flowering, scented and stays neat and low. Abelia Grandiflora will stay semi evergreen and form white flowers tinged pink throughout summer, and quite easy to maintain and keep small.