What should I plant next to my drive?

Pyra · May 2020

So I have a fairy large front garden for a newer house, and I've just started trying to do something with it. I've started, but I'm not sure what to plant next to the drive. I can't put down the nice thorny plants I've used round the outside, as it would be uncomfortable getting in and out of the car on that side.

(Excuse the mess, it's a work in progress.) It's north facing and pretty shaded, the soil is acidic and heavy clay. I was thinking maybe camellias, with some small perennial flowers between them? Any ideas appreciated.

B3 · May 2020

What about lavender or rosemary?

Pyra · May 2020

I'd thought about that, but doesn't lavender like full sun?

Fairygirl · May 2020

You could put Camellias, but they are slow growing, and they get very large eventually.
Are you lifting all the turf to make a border? If so, how wide are you making it?
Do you want something simple or do you have time to spend on it?

I wouldn't plant lavender or rosemary there, but there are plenty of things that will be fine, depending on the amount of room you have.

Lizzie27 · May 2020

What about azaleas, smaller than camellias and come in a range of colours, pretty much trouble free.

Borderline · May 2020

I can see a nice variegated Euonymus Fortunei planted along the front and edge to form a low growing hedge of 30cm high with a Pieris Japonica grown in the middle. The shrub will be the focus and you can prune/shape it as it grows. Between the low hedge and the base of the Pieris Japonica shrub, you could plant some bulbs.

FlyDragon · May 2020

Is that how close your car will usually be? If so, sorry to say I wouldn't plant anything there.

My house has a narrow drive because it was built in the sixties when cars were smaller! When I moved in there were a few shrubs lining the drive and I ended up taking them out and just having borders on the other 3 sides.

Fairygirl · May 2020

That's why I asked about the width too @FlyDragon

I now have less room because daughter now drives. All I'll say is - it's a good job we're not both 40 stone

Nollie · May 2020

May I ask what those ‘nice thorny plants’ are that you have planted right up against the pavement? Pyracantha by any chance? They need to be planted a good 2ft away from the pavement edge and be pruned ruthlessly and regularly when grown. Even so, the thorns will pose a danger to pedestrians, especially children.

For the drive edging, something low growing that doesn’t mind being whacked by your car door and trampled on as you are getting in and out of the car

Pyra · May 2020

Thanks everyone, those are some fantastic ideas! @Nollie, Yeah it is pyracantha, but the pavement actually stops at my garden (you can't see it on the photo) as I'm at the end of the street, so no one really walks past. I will move them when they get bigger. There was a hole there, so that's where they went.
@FlyDragon, yup, that's how close we have to park. I think I might leave a foot or two. I think they gave me more garden and less driveway!
@Fairygirl the whole grass is going! It's in a terrible state and I'd much prefer trees and bushes at the front. @Borderline, that's great idea, there is a pieris already (the last owners sole attempt at a garden) but it's getting moved anyway as it never sees the sun.

Fairygirl · May 2020

Pieris is better with some shade. If you don't have suitable climate and conditions, it gets quite frazzled and faded in full sun.

What should I plant next to my drive?

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