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New small border: climber, shrubs and perennials

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I always think of it as Offy, oppo, gone @GardenerSuze. That usually helps me with the spelling!
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Fairygirl HaHa good one. Idid refer to it on a gardening course as Black grass only to be told it is a member of the lily family. However most people say Black Grass anyway. 
    Not everyone likes it but I did see it at Sledmere house growing around a circular pond together with dark heucheras beautiful. 


    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - a lily turf, although most folk know what is meant  by the 'black grass'. 
    I like it too, but I think it can depend on how it's used as much as anything   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • cork gardenercork gardener Posts: 85
    Thanks for suggestions above - I’ve picked up most of what I want for the bed now (euonymus benkomasaki, some geraniums, brunnera Jack Frost some ferns, a small hydrangea and cala Karl Foerester) and a jasmine on the fence. Wondering would another small shrub work well in the middle of the border ideally evergreen with large leaves that would look well against the black fence, would have to have a fairly tidy growth habit given how full the border will be with perennials 

    any suggestions welcome 

    thanks 
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I think I think you have enough plants already, there doesn’t look enough room for a shrub. Don’t forget they will all grow a lot bigger.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I agree with Busy-Lizzie, especially  with the hydrangea and jasmine.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Far too many for that wee space  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • cork gardenercork gardener Posts: 85
    thanks thanks all - I do prefer a “packed in” look but I’m going to take the unanimous advice and leave it at what I have 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I prefer a packed-in look as well. The important thing is to get your shrubs in the right places so they have room to grow to their mature size, then fill in with the grasses and perennials but be prepared to move them in future years when the shrubs are bigger. Perennials are generally a lot easier to move successfully than shrubs.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @cork gardener I also agree, personally I would avoid planting in the centre it spits the border in half and affects the flow of the planting. Yes you do have a lot of plants in a  small space, thinning out is the key, as is becomes necessary. Some plants can eventually be lifted and split to be planted elsewhere. It is always good to repeat things in a garden it brings it together. It can be a intense way to garden but if you love it who cares.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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