Forum home› Garden design
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Hardy border...

aidanhoadaidanhoad Posts: 174
in Garden design
Hi all,

I am in the early stages of creating a border in an area of my garden - our whole property is exposed and faces cold temperatures, heavy rainfall and strong sea winds.

I have attached a picture to show where the border is going to be - we had hoped that the wall will at least provide a degree of shelter.

The bed itself is around 1.5m in depth and I was looking for some advice as to:
1. What hardy perennials I could plant? 
2. How many ‘layers’ I should aim for - I was imagining three giving each different layer a half metre...?

Any advice would be so helpful!

Thank you,
Aidan. :)

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Most of us haven't gardened in quite such an exposed spot! Things that cope with the wind will be key (no Delphiniums or Hollyhocks presumably!) Probably more along the lines of ornamental grasses and low/moundy perennials.

    Re 'layers' - I think you should move away from the idea of layers. You can plant in blobs and blocks where taller stuff is brought through to the front for a more arty and natural effect.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Looking good by the way. What is the soil like, how deep etc?
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • aidanhoadaidanhoad Posts: 174
    Hi @Loxley, thanks for commenting! Right now the soil is very shallow as you can probably tell... I spent the day shovelling (aided by a wheelbarrow) a tonne of soil to the border! Another bag to go and then I think I will have to order a lot more...! Hoping to end up with a depth of around 10 inches... which again will limit our planting I’m sure...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    My Belgian garden was exposed to strong north westerly winds - nothing between us and the Channel and also a lot of easterly beasts - nothing between us and Siberia.  We had lots of rain and in any year temperatures could range between -25C and +38C.

    I grew phlomis russelliana, lysimachia clethroides alba, echinops, lychnis chalcedonica, hardy geraniums, astrantias, hostas, ligularias, astilbes, aconitum, helianthemum, acquilegias, chelone, Japanese anemone, cornflowers, phlox.  Lots of shrubs and some clematis and roses too.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • aidanhoadaidanhoad Posts: 174
    @Obelixx - amazing, thank you!

    Going to google them all and have a look :)
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    There were more but that's what come to mind first off.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
Sign In or Register to comment.