I would think you could grow Brunnera 'Jack Frost' in that... or consider variegated Iris's like Iris pseudacorus variegata?.. and there's a grey leafed fern called Athyrium 'Pictum'.. I just looked those up.. Brunnera 'JF'..
Sand isn't a good idea unless it's grit sand. Many types of sand just compound the problem. Manure is the best option for improving the drainage of clay soil. Nothing better for it. I'd just stick with the Ajuga you already have, or get some of the sibirica Irises, or something like Caltha or similar. They're both marginal/bog plants, and therefore don't mind wet feet, and will be happy in sun or shade. I wouldn't put a Hebe in there.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I think you need a plant to give you a full stop at the end of your border. I also garden on clay and I would not recommend you plant anything with silver leaves. I think it is best to go with nature rather than fight it. You could choose a simple Green Euonymous like Greed Pillar. Then repeat the same further along your border to bring the scheme together. You could also try a Molinia such as M Poul Petersen and again repeat.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
If you like grasses, Hakonechloa would be happy [not evergreen] and so would many of the variegated Carexes, most of which are evergreen. Some of the Lamiums are quite pale, so might suit.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
When Hakonechloa goes over it retains both the golden-brown leaves and flowerheads all over winter. I've just cut mine back as the new growth has started, but they looked good through winter
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I’ve got Senecio Angel Wings in a pot and that’s the one I’d put there if I go down that route. It won’t survive if I plant it in the ground.
There’s a Rogersia Bronze Peacock in the middle of the Ajuga (which is very, very happy in this spot) and the other end of the bed has a Thalictrum delavayi 'Hewitt’s Double'.
I’ve had a Brunnera in a sunny spot in a previous garden so Jack Frost that might be a consideration. I did wonder about a marginal iris.
I’m looking at Carex Everest but pictures do show it as varying colours. I’ll be looking out for it when I’m plant shopping next.
Fairy girl: what’s grit sand? I used builders sand which is pretty gritty.
Sorry - I've just seen this @Foxwillow . Builders' sand is generally the stuff used to make mortar and concrete, so that's not what you want. It makes the problem worse because it holds everything together. Coarse sand, grit sand or sharp sand - they're often labelled differently, is what you need. Or git itself, but you'd need a lot of it, which becomes expensive unless it's for a very small area. Most people only use it for pots or similar. Carex Everest and Evergold are quite similar. Evergold is green with creamy/yellow variegation. I think Everest is paler - more cream than yellow. I only have Evergold here.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've got Lambs Ears (stachys Byzantine Silver Carpet) growing in a very damp border because it gets very little sun on north side of a fence and subsoil is clay. Maybe no one told it that it likes sun and free draining soil 😂 I've had it 5 years, it probably doesn't grow as tall as it should but it provides ground cover
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Brunnera 'JF'..
I'd just stick with the Ajuga you already have, or get some of the sibirica Irises, or something like Caltha or similar. They're both marginal/bog plants, and therefore don't mind wet feet, and will be happy in sun or shade.
I wouldn't put a Hebe in there.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Some of the Lamiums are quite pale, so might suit.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've just cut mine back as the new growth has started, but they looked good through winter
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Builders' sand is generally the stuff used to make mortar and concrete, so that's not what you want. It makes the problem worse because it holds everything together. Coarse sand, grit sand or sharp sand - they're often labelled differently, is what you need. Or git itself, but you'd need a lot of it, which becomes expensive unless it's for a very small area. Most people only use it for pots or similar.
Carex Everest and Evergold are quite similar. Evergold is green with creamy/yellow variegation. I think Everest is paler - more cream than yellow. I only have Evergold here.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If you could make it a raised bed it would improve drainage for more fussy plants.