If you go back to when the border was originally planted the main aim was to cover the fence. If you were to start again you would plant a framework of deciduous and evergreen shrubs with short lived shrubs, perennials and annuals to fill the gaps. Over time as the shrubs develop, you would remove the perennials and plant elsewhere. You have mostly shrubs so that the sun lovers erysimum, ceonothus and cistus are suffering. Ceonothus can be pruned hard but no guarantee it will do well long term if branches have die back it will not survive very long. The cistus will have grown tall and leggy due to lack of light and will not cope with hard pruning. Possible additions could be Pacysandra terminalis which likes an acid soil. Also Geranium Macrorrhizum and G Phaeum which you will need to cut back to ground level after flowering to keep tidy and good weed suppressants After rain they will soon regrow. Euonymous Emerald and gold will cope with some shade but is more slow growing and easy to clip back.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
It's odd that you're having bother with Pieris. They grow very readily here, regardless of weather. Sun isn't great for them though, unless the soil is damp enough. East is also usually fine for aspect - lots of folk here have them in east, or NE facing sites. Perhaps yours was far too exposed. I'd have thought you'd have a good location/climate for them though. They don't need acidic soil either - neutral is fine. You haven't said if it's damp or dry shade though. Apologies if I've missed that, but it would be worth creating a proper border and adding the usual stuff to improve it. Eleagnus will grow fine in shady spots, and Ilex and Osmanthus too. The O. burkwoodii has small creamy flowers in late winter/early spring. It's not supposed to like colder winds, but mine has been absolutely fine in all weathers. There's several types though. Lots of Viburnums would be good - and have flowers from late winter/early spring depending on variety. That 'Hawkshead' fuschsia is 100% hardy. I had it in a previous garden. Very easy, although the flowers are small. It's not like those blousy pink/purple ones.
It might be the exposure factor is keeping the Pieris from developing here and I have others in the garden that are doing better so just moving it somewhere more sheltered will probably help it. The corner here is completely open to the North as the garden is on a north facing slope near the top of the hill. The shade keeps the ground more damp in this area. Eleagnus and Ilex do sound like good suggestions and I will see if I can find one with the leaf colour that will brighten up this corner. I think the O. burkwoodii might be a bit dark leaved and the Hawkshead fuchsia being deciduous might not fit the spot but also very nice plants.
I'm inclined to agree re the Osmanthus - it is quite dark, and the flowers aren't big, so it's a more subtle shrub. I like it for the shelter it gives the small birds, because I have the feeding cages in among it In my head I thought the fuchsia was evergreen, but I took a look at a couple of sites, and was surprised that Crocus said it was only frost hardy. That's really not the case. It wouldn't have survived, and thrived, in my garden if it was that wishy washy. It's a nice plant, but if you're wanting evergreens, it's not good value.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If you go back to when the border was originally planted the main aim was to cover the fence. If you were to start again you would plant a framework of deciduous and evergreen shrubs with short lived shrubs, perennials and annuals to fill the gaps. Over time as the shrubs develop, you would remove the perennials and plant elsewhere. You have mostly shrubs so that the sun lovers erysimum, ceonothus and cistus are suffering. Ceonothus can be pruned hard but no guarantee it will do well long term if branches have die back it will not survive very long. The cistus will have grown tall and leggy due to lack of light and will not cope with hard pruning. Possible additions could be Pacysandra terminalis which likes an acid soil. Also Geranium Macrorrhizum and G Phaeum which you will need to cut back to ground level after flowering to keep tidy and good weed suppressants After rain they will soon regrow. Euonymous Emerald and gold will cope with some shade but is more slow growing and easy to clip back.
@robairdmacraignil, have a look at Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Auromarginata' Gulftide. It's beautiful evergreen variegated bush with green/cream/pinkish leaves that look like holly. It does grow slowly and may not be fully hardy in your particular situation but might be worth a punt. I have it outside our bedroom window so I have something good to look at especially during the winter months.
@robairdmacraignil, have a look at Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Auromarginata' Gulftide. It's beautiful evergreen variegated bush with green/cream/pinkish leaves that look like holly. It does grow slowly and may not be fully hardy in your particular situation but might be worth a punt. I have it outside our bedroom window so I have something good to look at especially during the winter months.
That looks to be a very nice option alright but on checking on the details it does say on the RHS information page that it needs shelter from cold drying winds which could be a problem for the spot in question.
That's a bit odd, my RHS Encyclopedia doesn't mention that, only that it may not be fully hardy. Says it's good for hedging. Mine's facing north, in the shade most of the day but is sheltered by the slope in front of it I suppose. It's over ten years old now. Good luck with your quest and remember, the plants don't read the books!
If your soil is slightly acid, a Camellia might be a good choice. Though from what you say about the other plants I'm wondering how shady that area really is! You've had Cistus and Erysimum in there, which suggests that there's a fair bit of sun. I couldn't grow those in my shady garden at all.
If it is indeed quite shady then Hydrangeas offer a lot of variety. H. quercifolia only has white flowers, but a lot of interest in texture through the year, brown papery bark, and red autumn colour (pick the right variety...). H. aspera forms are subtly gorgeous with purple flowers and furry leaves. H. paniculata now comes with red-flowered forms.
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Ceonothus can be pruned hard but no guarantee it will do well long term if branches have die back it will not survive very long. The cistus will have grown tall and leggy due to lack of light and will not cope with hard pruning.
Possible additions could be Pacysandra terminalis which likes an acid soil. Also Geranium Macrorrhizum and G Phaeum which you will need to cut back to ground level after flowering to keep tidy and good weed suppressants After rain they will soon regrow. Euonymous Emerald and gold will cope with some shade but is more slow growing and easy to clip back.
In my head I thought the fuchsia was evergreen, but I took a look at a couple of sites, and was surprised that Crocus said it was only frost hardy. That's really not the case. It wouldn't have survived, and thrived, in my garden if it was that wishy washy. It's a nice plant, but if you're wanting evergreens, it's not good value.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It's beautiful evergreen variegated bush with green/cream/pinkish leaves that look like holly. It does grow slowly and may not be fully hardy in your particular situation but might be worth a punt. I have it outside our bedroom window so I have something good to look at especially during the winter months.
Good luck with your quest and remember, the plants don't read the books!
If it is indeed quite shady then Hydrangeas offer a lot of variety. H. quercifolia only has white flowers, but a lot of interest in texture through the year, brown papery bark, and red autumn colour (pick the right variety...). H. aspera forms are subtly gorgeous with purple flowers and furry leaves. H. paniculata now comes with red-flowered forms.