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Planting in gravel strip next to driveway

NewGardenerCornwallNewGardenerCornwall Posts: 40
edited May 2022 in Problem solving
Hello. I have a strip of gravel to side of driveway that I would like to brighten up by planting into. The gravel strip is against a north east facing wall, so dry shade, and catches the wind. Need tough low lying plants. Any ideas? 
Thank you.

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @NewGardenerCornwall Are you by the sea too? Just wondered if salt could also be a problem. I would look around where you live to see if you can spot other plants growing in the same situation and aspect. It does seem like a difficult site, trial and error can be expensive too.
     


    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae would cope in those conditions.  It's evergreen, has bright lime green flowers in spring and spreads to provide ground cover but is easily controlled.  The latex sap is a skin irritant so wear gloves when handling the plant - this seems to keep slugs away, in my garden anyway!

    Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae - BBC Gardeners World Magazine
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I also thought of E robbiae it is probably one of the toughest plants there is, not sure regarding salt  but if anything will survive that will. 
    @NewGardenerCornwall I grow  Allium called A cerrnum which I have in every aspect of my garden. It is small and will be underground for the worst of the winter.  Geranium macrorrhizum is also tough, there is a lovely one called White Ness, I love white in a shady spot. Cut back after flowering and use clippings for cuttings. If you just a few plants and repeat them along the border? The Euphorbia is evergreen so that could be a good start,  as @Plantminded has said sap is a possible problem especially if you brush past and snap stems. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • NewGardenerCornwallNewGardenerCornwall Posts: 40
    Hello. I live inland so salt not a problem. Perennial germanium is a good idea. Thank you 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @NewGardenerCornwall I have seen just this Hardy Geranium used all the way along a border. After flowering cut back and it will regrow as long as you water at this point. After a few weeks it will give you a new leaves. It is semi evergreen here. You could invest in just one plant as it's long stems can be replanted flat along the ground with just the top showing and they will root if watered well until established.  
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Arthur1Arthur1 Posts: 542
    Agree with Euphorbia. Also Helleborus foetidus, ivy, Epimedium. Might be a case of trial and error.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Hardy ferns … they love the Cornish climate. 

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





  • NewGardenerCornwallNewGardenerCornwall Posts: 40
    Oh ferns would look nice and cope with the shade
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Other hardy geraniums would work alongside those too, or with the other taller plants mentioned. I love white for shade too, but some of the bright ones would work as well.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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