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Hardy perennials for border...

aidanhoadaidanhoad Posts: 174
in Plants
Hi all,

I’m hoping to put a border into my garden - I will be lifting the slabs shown in the attached photo and putting a border in front of the pebble dashed walls...

I live in the NW Highlands and so we often have cold weather and high winds - I am hoping that the wall will provide a degree of protection from the winds... I was looking for some advice as to the hardiest flowers that I could plant up (preferably perennials).

Also, I am hoping that we find soil underneath the slabs - however if not I will be looking to put my own soil down... how deep should I aim for the borders to be with soil for planting?

Many thanks to anyone in advance!
Aidan :) 

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited March 2021
    I can't find it now, but there was a great feature on GW about an exposed garden near the sea near Ullapool - they specialised in South African plants, which did very well. Albeit they had the luxury of planting a shelter belt. From my understanding the wind is going to be your biggest problem, rather than frost?

    I would be tempted to plant in keeping with your (spectacular) environment.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • aidanhoadaidanhoad Posts: 174
    edited March 2021
    Hi Loxley,

    Well isn’t that funny... you’ve reminded me of that as I saw it as well AND I live in Ullapool!

    I shall have to try and find it online somewhere and watch it again... take note this time!

    Thank you :)
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited March 2021
    Oh here it is Gardens from the archive: Scottish garden with a South African twist - Gardens Illustrated

    2 Durnamuck (scotlandsgardens.org)
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • aidanhoadaidanhoad Posts: 174
    Oh amazing, thank you so much :)
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    It's utterly wonderful, I really want to go up and see it. (And tackle Suilven).
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Henatron is up in the Cairngorms. Maybe see what works for them.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Very nice hill is Suilven, have climbed it twice 
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited March 2021
    It looks beautiful so even if I don't manage to climb it I would be happy taking pictures.

    I found this for the OP Exposed Coastal Garden - Shoot (shootgardening.co.uk)

    You could create something similar using raised beds, with a very gritty soil mix to provide the sharp drainage. It would be quite nice to feel enclosed by raised beds. 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • aidanhoadaidanhoad Posts: 174
    Thank you so much Loxley, that link is great!

    I have to get the slabs lifted and see that it’s actually a possibility now; the two links you’ve given me are super helpful so fingers crossed!

    Thanks again :)
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