I've never grown geraniums, that could be a nice option. We have a few hellebores elsewhere - I think they're just on the limit for size. Ideally I want a nice low, solid bed like you'd get with bellis, aubretia or phlox so I'll go through all these good suggestions and see what looks nice.
Next question - have I realistically left it too late for this year? Do I need to be putting in established plants for them to be mature enough to survive winter or could I get away with plugs or even seedlings (I'd probably prefer not seeds as we have lots already)
Yes - for planting now, you'd want reasonably mature specimens for overwintering. If you had plants which are filling a 3 or 4 inch pot just now, they'd generally be fine. Some plants - like many of the hardy geraniums, heucheras and hellebores, will cope no problem though, regardless of the size, so it really depends on what you choose. If in doubt, leave until spring If you're growing cuttings, or anything from seed, or buying plugs, it's better to grow them on and wait until next year for planting out.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I don't know the last one but none of the rest are perennials (as I understand the term?), nor do they provide ground cover except for short periods! I will probably plant more of these (we have quite a lot already and they are great) but not quite what I'm after here.
Yes - but they [bulbs] extend the season right from winter, until perennials come through. The emerging foliage also hides the bulb foliage as it dies back. Even with evergreen planting, bulbs are excellent to give colour and variety. Solomon's Seal is a biggish perennial - Polygonatum. Possibly too big for the tiny area you have, unless you make it a bit bigger.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Everyone is assuming summer flowering... Aconites, snowdrops, bluebells and daffodils. There are many other wonderful plants that flower early in the season and much better than anything in the summer for this situation. If you want something truly different and spectacular, winter flowering Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum).
I've got a shady yard and have done really well with epimediums; dead-nettles; tiarellas and heuchera. The dead nettles have flowered for months and the bees love them.
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I've never grown geraniums, that could be a nice option. We have a few hellebores elsewhere - I think they're just on the limit for size. Ideally I want a nice low, solid bed like you'd get with bellis, aubretia or phlox so I'll go through all these good suggestions and see what looks nice.
Next question - have I realistically left it too late for this year? Do I need to be putting in established plants for them to be mature enough to survive winter or could I get away with plugs or even seedlings (I'd probably prefer not seeds as we have lots already)
If you're growing cuttings, or anything from seed, or buying plugs, it's better to grow them on and wait until next year for planting out.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I will probably plant more of these (we have quite a lot already and they are great) but not quite what I'm after here.
Even with evergreen planting, bulbs are excellent to give colour and variety.
Solomon's Seal is a biggish perennial - Polygonatum. Possibly too big for the tiny area you have, unless you make it a bit bigger.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...