The border is nearly there, I agree there are some nice leaf shapes and colours e.g. the Ligularia Desdemona. Some Iris sibirica would slot in very nicely to add a pop of colour, or even better, Iris x sibtosa which is a more vigorous and longer flowering hybrid (I just found out about it).
And maybe some white Astrantia would be easy to sneak in?
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
I think you could possibly take out one of the Phormiums and plant something different for a contrasting leaf shape or colour. Something with dark foliage for example. Possibly replace one or two of the Bergenias too - Heucheras, Pulmonarias and Primulas will be fine for early on especially, if the soil doesn't dry out too much, or some of the small evergreen Carexes for a bit of variegation. The hardy geraniums @Lyn mentions will also be fine and would follow on from the earlier plants to give a succession. Most Saxifrages are good for edging, and fine in that aspect. Honeysuckle need plenty of moisture and room, so it's probably not the best choice for a small fence. Lots of clematis varieties would be fine though. As it's NW facing, it might not be sunny enough for some plants, but the ones suitable for a bit of shade will be perfectly happy, so just check before you buy anything. I grow Sedums in that aspect - they're now called Hylotelephiums, but you'll still find them under Sedum spectabile. Avoid the plants which really need full sun, as you'll be forever staking and supporting them. Aquilegias will cope though, and any of the ones I mentioned earlier for shadier sites, and the Astrantias will take a bit of shade too. Asters prefer sun, but would be fine in the sunniest part and would give you later colour. Many spring bulbs are also fine in that aspect, but avoid tulips which won't be happy without plenty of sun
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Jellyfire@Fire thank you. I love foxgloves. I never thought about having spires - but yr right. It does need them. I did plant about 20 alium bulbs the other year. Last year they looked lovely, this year they seem to have gone missing! Like so many other bulbs in the garden. I need to give it another go, dont I & get my seed websites up for all the other lovely suggsstions
My alliums don't really return either. Allium trade growers say they plant theirs in very sandy, light soils - as with many other bulbs, to get them to return. GW has various segments on the allium trade.
I would spend some time celebrating what you have achieved. Take some pics, get in close. Enjoy!
@Fairygirl . The amount of phormiums is a product of the jamming it all in syndrome i think you are right every couple of yrs we have to lift & split & then they look really sad for the following summer. Its hard work. I will take on board your comments about the honeysuckle. I was robbed. I dont even get the pleasure of a smell. I bought the wrong one, lol. The bergenias really do need a split luckily i have an allotment so they will go to a good home. I think thats why the garden has got a bit neglected recently. I do have some pulmorias. Maybe i need to move them more to the front. I love them because they flower so early for the bees. Im a good seed grower so i'm going to give some of these ideas a go.... or i might just overspend on current flowering plants as i admit i have little patience
My alliums don't really return either. Allium trade growers say they plant theirs in very sandy, light soils - as with many other bulbs, to get them to return. GW has various segments on the allium trade.
I would spend some time celebrating what you have achieved. Take some pics, get in close. Enjoy!
They do seem to be very hit and miss, for some people they are like weeds and pop up everywhere. Ive put countless purple sensation in over the years but only ever get 1 or 2 back again, the white ones - everest and mont blanc come back and multiply with vengeance though. No idea why
In addition to all the excellent advice given above, another plant you could consider to brighten up your border before the tulips fade is Erigeron karvinskianus. It can flower from April until December if the weather permits! It prefers full sun but I have it in a NW facing border which gets less than 2 hours of sun in the morning and it seems quite happy.
I would also move some, if not all, of your Bergenias - I like the leafshape and early flowers but have found that slugs and snails do too! There was a large bed of them in my garden when I moved in. Since removing them I've had noticeably less leaf damage in the garden - think twice about relocating them to your allotment!
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The border is nearly there, I agree there are some nice leaf shapes and colours e.g. the Ligularia Desdemona. Some Iris sibirica would slot in very nicely to add a pop of colour, or even better, Iris x sibtosa which is a more vigorous and longer flowering hybrid (I just found out about it).
And maybe some white Astrantia would be easy to sneak in?
Honeysuckle need plenty of moisture and room, so it's probably not the best choice for a small fence. Lots of clematis varieties would be fine though.
As it's NW facing, it might not be sunny enough for some plants, but the ones suitable for a bit of shade will be perfectly happy, so just check before you buy anything. I grow Sedums in that aspect - they're now called Hylotelephiums, but you'll still find them under Sedum spectabile.
Avoid the plants which really need full sun, as you'll be forever staking and supporting them. Aquilegias will cope though, and any of the ones I mentioned earlier for shadier sites, and the Astrantias will take a bit of shade too. Asters prefer sun, but would be fine in the sunniest part and would give you later colour. Many spring bulbs are also fine in that aspect, but avoid tulips which won't be happy without plenty of sun
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I would also move some, if not all, of your Bergenias - I like the leafshape and early flowers but have found that slugs and snails do too! There was a large bed of them in my garden when I moved in. Since removing them I've had noticeably less leaf damage in the garden - think twice about relocating them to your allotment!