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Nice plants for a north-facing clay border

raindropsonrosesraindropsonroses Posts: 15
in Problem solving
We have a narrow border between our driveway and our neighbours'.  Clay soil and north facing.  We have planted four standard roses along it which are doing fairly well, and originally planted the gaps between them with lavender. The lavender is not doing well - straggly and not much flower (not all that pleasant to look at), so I'm taking it out.  What could I replace it with?  I would like shrubs/perennials not much more than a foot to two feet tall which produce plenty of colour in late spring/summer. Any ideas would be very welcome.

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Geranium 'Anne Thompson' would work for you. Persicaria amplexicaulis would be good but flower later in the year (right into the autumn), look for smaller varieties like 'White Eastfield' or 'Orangefield' which top out at about 3ft when in flower.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    HOSTAS :D
    Devon.
  • raindropsonrosesraindropsonroses Posts: 15
    Thank you so much.  Both of these look lovely.
  • BiljeBilje Posts: 811
    I’ve a north facing shady border planted with various varieties of hosta. Obviously they die away in the late autumn then the soil would be bare. I’ve inderplanted them with early spring bulbs. Snowdrops and species crocus I get a lovely display from them from mid winter until late spring as the hostas re emerge. Two shows for the price of one, next to no maintenance involved.
  • raindropsonrosesraindropsonroses Posts: 15
    Thank you again.  I need to make a decision!
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    Early spring bulbs - crocus, daffodils - some primroses/primulas to cover the space until your hostas get going and the roses bloom. Liriope muscari for a final flourish in the autumn. Maybe a sarcococca for winter scent
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Don't forget a few Heucheras to give you year-round colour.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • raindropsonrosesraindropsonroses Posts: 15
    Thank you - lots to choose from!
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