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Problem Solving

BlueSchoolBoyBlueSchoolBoy Posts: 100
in Plants
I would appreciate any ideas on the following please:

As will be seen in the photo, I have a small area of front garden (approx. 1 metre square) that used to have a Ceoanthus that sadly grew far too big and has now been removed.

The area concerned is SW facing, receives lots of afternoon and evening sun and is dry and sheltered.

I don't want to put in climbers such as roses or clematis and am thinking of planting dahlias or gladioli but would perhaps someone on this site may be able to suggest alternatives.

Many thanks,
Dennis


Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Is it just an empty space or do you have a border attached? That could help if you want to tie in colours.  :)
    Areas like that can be tricky because the house prevents rain water getting in. Dahlias need a lot of food and water, so possibly not ideal unless you can provide that. Gladioli look a bit odd just stick in on their own, and don't flower until this sort of time of year, so if you can add something else to give them support, that would help.
    Some perennials which like dry, sunny conditions might suit - lavender, asters etc. The smaller Verbenas [not the annual kind] will also be fine.  V. Lollipop is one variety. V. bonariensis would also be fine in behind other planting. Herbaceous paeonies would probably do well, and many of the 'daisy' plants like Heleniums and Shasta daisies will also do well. Salvias too. 
    For evergreen interest, Hebes and Euphorbias are good, There will be others, but dry, sunny sites aren't something I have a lot of, so others will have more suggestions  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2021
    I have a similar s/w facing spot and find that shrubby salvias (gregii types) are very happy there and covered with blooms (and bees) from June until the first frosts.  They need very little attention ... just cutting back in late May-ish.  
    Once established they've never been watered, and get fed just once a year after cutting back. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • BlueSchoolBoyBlueSchoolBoy Posts: 100
    edited August 2021
    Many thanks for such detailed responses.  Plenty for me to think about.
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    What about a cotoneaster? Don’t need a lot of attention and flower and have berries to feed the birds 
  • BlueSchoolBoyBlueSchoolBoy Posts: 100
    Thank you for the Cotoneaster suggestion. 
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