If the hedge is your southern boundary, that means the area in front of the hedge would be north-ish facing though. Or did you mean that it's a south facing site? All the shrubs we've mentioned would be fine in both aspects anyway, although Viburnums prefer some shade, but it's important to know before you spend money The moisture retention of the soil is more important though, as shrubs tend to take up a lot, so bear that in mind too, and spend a bit of time getting the beds well prepped. Plenty of organic matter added to the site once the turf has been lifted, and the soil forked over. You'd need to leave a little path in front of your hedge though - for access to trim it, so remember to factor that in as well. It's also worth playing around with ideas of where you want beds, and what size, just by sketching a few things on paper. A list of various suitable plants, and their eventual sizes, also helps, and an idea of the look you want is also useful. Make it to scale as much as you can, so that you have a realistic plan. It's very easy to think you have a lot more room for planting than you actually have
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl Thanks for the reminder about hedge access - I wouldn’t have thought about that!
You’re right that it’s a north-facing side, but it somehow never gets much shade in summer: at 1 metre from the ground the shade only reaches about 50cm from the hedge, and even that’s gone by about midday. I’m hoping to plant some trees elsewhere in the garden for more shade in the future, but I expect it will take a while before they cast much. In the meantime I may have to just try a few of your suggestions and see what sticks! Thanks for your help and Happy New Year!
If the hedge is far enough away from the house, the site will get plenty of sun. If there are other houses/trees etc nearby, that makes a difference. My front garden is north west facing, and not that big, but the far end is well enough away from the house that it gets plenty of sun from late spring until early autumn. I'm next to the road, so there's nothing on that western side to block it. The sun is too low by early autumn to reach it for more than an hour or two, because of houses and trees on the other side of the road. It can all make a difference to your choices, but generally speaking, if you look at plants, and they say full sun, that's no use for a north facing site, and vice versa. Then you need to see if your soil suits. Many plants are quite adaptable though, so if you have any doubts, just ask the question on the forum and you'll get advice on whether it's worth having something or not. It can often be a bit confusing, but there's lots of experience here so make use of it
Happy New Year to you too, when it comes
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
All the shrubs we've mentioned would be fine in both aspects anyway, although Viburnums prefer some shade, but it's important to know before you spend money
You'd need to leave a little path in front of your hedge though - for access to trim it, so remember to factor that in as well.
It's also worth playing around with ideas of where you want beds, and what size, just by sketching a few things on paper. A list of various suitable plants, and their eventual sizes, also helps, and an idea of the look you want is also useful.
Make it to scale as much as you can, so that you have a realistic plan. It's very easy to think you have a lot more room for planting than you actually have
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
My front garden is north west facing, and not that big, but the far end is well enough away from the house that it gets plenty of sun from late spring until early autumn. I'm next to the road, so there's nothing on that western side to block it. The sun is too low by early autumn to reach it for more than an hour or two, because of houses and trees on the other side of the road.
It can all make a difference to your choices, but generally speaking, if you look at plants, and they say full sun, that's no use for a north facing site, and vice versa. Then you need to see if your soil suits.
Many plants are quite adaptable though, so if you have any doubts, just ask the question on the forum and you'll get advice on whether it's worth having something or not.
It can often be a bit confusing, but there's lots of experience here so make use of it
Happy New Year to you too, when it comes
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...