@WillDB - thank you so much, and also thanks loads for the pics and info. These look wonderful and so inspiring to see lovely life and growth in a similar space to ours.
Ok - now we're getting somewhere @WillDB has made some great suggestions. If it's damp enough, those will all do well, although I'm not familiar with Eurybia?. I used to have the Luzula - very nice plant.
In addition - shrubs - Osmanthus will do well - I have burkwoodii, which is evergreen, small white scented flowers in late winter/spring. I prune stems off if they get too wayward. It's about a metre high, and doesn't encroach too far forward - again you can take stems off. Potentilla will grow anywhere, and can be kept smallish, although they're quite well behaved anyway. Viburnums too- and you can also keep them relatively neat by removing single stems. Eounymous fortunei will certainly be fine. If you plant them against the fence, they'll 'climb' as well, and are evergreen.
Climbers on the fence will give a cover without spreading too far in. If you pick things like Group 2 clematis, they need very little attention once established, but you need some wires for them to grow on. Some of the smaller, earlier ones will also be fine. Take a look at the specialist sites Taylor's Clems, Thorncroft and Hawthornes.
Polemonium [Jacob's ladder] is a good perennial, and Heucheras and Tiarellas will thrive. Dicentra and Polygonatum [Solomon's Seal ] are great for shade, and Astilbes. Lots of bulbs will thrive, and you can plant those in with perennials. Hostas, hardy Geraniums and native primulas are great. Definitely Hellebores. Low groundcover is good for edges - the primulas will also do that, and the Heucheras. I have a prostarte Gaultheria which is very good in shade, and Saxifraga urbium [London pride] grows anywhere. I also have perennial candytuft growing in shady sites - Iberis sempervirens.
Just watch your tree. You can't bank soil up around it
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl this is wonderful advice, thank you. If i mix good compost in with the current soil you'll think i'll be ok? Do you think manure is needed also? I may sound silly but I think i'd probably be more comfortable with just compost than manure - but keen to do the right thing.
I can definitely put wires up that side, as its 'my' fence, the other side isn't hence the hinged trellis, just in case.
Thanks for the tree advice too - just yesterday we decided to remove that part of the raised bed frame as we're building the pergola near, so the soil level will stay as is - perhaps just a nice decorative paved circle with some mulch for the tree alone?
lots to do. We suffer from shade from the big oaks, but they do a good screening job, so planning on making a bit of a controlled 'overgrown' secret garden at the back for the kids. tall laurels with lights etc.
thanks again all for your advice, this is really useful.
You've clearly done a lot of work, and it looks great. A really good 'blank canvas' The reason I asked about the soil and what was below the beds is because that has a bearing on what you grow. The beds aren't very high, so what you add will make a big difference. Rotted manure is a great medium because it opens up clay and helps drainage, but it also does the opposite for light, free draining soil by helping to retain moisture. Win, win Compost alone will gradually just fritter away and disappear, and your soil level will drop. Some compost is soil based, so - depending on your situation, if you can get that, it would be much better than using multi purpose. It's best to mix it in thoroughly with the soil underneath. In the same way as you would do with potted plants that are going to be in the pots long term, you need soil, not just compost. I know it's slightly difficult just now getting composts and manures etc, but as long as you mix your compost with your soil, that will help. You can add a mulch later, and also for over winter and into spring. That can be compost too, and it will all help the soil structure over time, as it will break down into the existing soil. We have solid clay here - I've never gardened on anything else, and it can be difficult to start with, but it's surprising how quickly it starts being workable, and it's a great medium for growing most plants I just thought of another shrub which might work very well too - Chaenomeles -flowering quince. Would be good against the fence, and they appreciate some shade. They're very good for east/north aspects. Ajuga is another good groundcover plant as well - evergreen and easy to propagate. Glad you've sorted the tree. That'll be perfect for it
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If you put tall plants close to the shaded side of a fence, they will probably lean forward to try and reach the light, and may eventually flop right over. I'm not saying don't grow them, but be prepared to spend a bit on supporting them. Stakes will need to be pushed quite deep into the ground or the weight of the plants leaning over will just take the stakes with them. Another option would be to attach some taut wires along the fence, and tie the plant stems to the wires.
I have several different Potentillas which were beautiful last year. Sadly this year they are all looking very straggly and woody in the centre. Should I cut them right back now in the hope of rejuvenating them or is it too late? Also I have just planted out some Scabious which have been in the greenhouse over the winter. They are rather leggy and spindly and I am wondering if I should give them the Chelsea Chop! Any advice gratefully received.
You've clearly done a lot of work, and it looks great. A really good 'blank canvas' The reason I asked about the soil and what was below the beds is because that has a bearing on what you grow....
Thanks so much again @Fairygirl A blank canvas indeed, why im so keen to get it rigfht first time (ish!). Im collating a list and will see whats available. I actually received 600l of compost today, and I'll try to get a bag or 2 of manure with the flower order as that sounds like magic stuff.
Posts
@WillDB has made some great suggestions. If it's damp enough, those will all do well, although I'm not familiar with Eurybia?. I used to have the Luzula - very nice plant.
In addition - shrubs - Osmanthus will do well - I have burkwoodii, which is evergreen, small white scented flowers in late winter/spring. I prune stems off if they get too wayward. It's about a metre high, and doesn't encroach too far forward - again you can take stems off. Potentilla will grow anywhere, and can be kept smallish, although they're quite well behaved anyway. Viburnums too- and you can also keep them relatively neat by removing single stems. Eounymous fortunei will certainly be fine. If you plant them against the fence, they'll 'climb' as well, and are evergreen.
Climbers on the fence will give a cover without spreading too far in. If you pick things like Group 2 clematis, they need very little attention once established, but you need some wires for them to grow on. Some of the smaller, earlier ones will also be fine. Take a look at the specialist sites Taylor's Clems, Thorncroft and Hawthornes.
Polemonium [Jacob's ladder] is a good perennial, and Heucheras and Tiarellas will thrive. Dicentra and Polygonatum [Solomon's Seal ] are great for shade, and Astilbes. Lots of bulbs will thrive, and you can plant those in with perennials. Hostas, hardy Geraniums and native primulas are great. Definitely Hellebores.
Low groundcover is good for edges - the primulas will also do that, and the Heucheras. I have a prostarte Gaultheria which is very good in shade, and Saxifraga urbium [London pride] grows anywhere. I also have perennial candytuft growing in shady sites - Iberis sempervirens.
Just watch your tree. You can't bank soil up around it
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I can definitely put wires up that side, as its 'my' fence, the other side isn't hence the hinged trellis, just in case.
Thanks for the tree advice too - just yesterday we decided to remove that part of the raised bed frame as we're building the pergola near, so the soil level will stay as is - perhaps just a nice decorative paved circle with some mulch for the tree alone?
lots to do. We suffer from shade from the big oaks, but they do a good screening job, so planning on making a bit of a controlled 'overgrown' secret garden at the back for the kids. tall laurels with lights etc.
thanks again all for your advice, this is really useful.
The reason I asked about the soil and what was below the beds is because that has a bearing on what you grow. The beds aren't very high, so what you add will make a big difference.
Rotted manure is a great medium because it opens up clay and helps drainage, but it also does the opposite for light, free draining soil by helping to retain moisture. Win, win
Compost alone will gradually just fritter away and disappear, and your soil level will drop. Some compost is soil based, so - depending on your situation, if you can get that, it would be much better than using multi purpose.
It's best to mix it in thoroughly with the soil underneath. In the same way as you would do with potted plants that are going to be in the pots long term, you need soil, not just compost. I know it's slightly difficult just now getting composts and manures etc, but as long as you mix your compost with your soil, that will help.
You can add a mulch later, and also for over winter and into spring. That can be compost too, and it will all help the soil structure over time, as it will break down into the existing soil.
We have solid clay here - I've never gardened on anything else, and it can be difficult to start with, but it's surprising how quickly it starts being workable, and it's a great medium for growing most plants
I just thought of another shrub which might work very well too - Chaenomeles -flowering quince. Would be good against the fence, and they appreciate some shade. They're very good for east/north aspects. Ajuga is another good groundcover plant as well - evergreen and easy to propagate.
Glad you've sorted the tree. That'll be perfect for it
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...