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North border planting ideas

Neil81BNeil81B Posts: 34
in Problem solving
Hi. I’m a novice but enthusiastic gardener, and need some help with a north facing border. It gets only partial sunlight (if that), and is chalky-like soil. The fence is 6ft high, 8ft with trellis. Id like to add some height and interest all year round. I have a climbing hydrangea in there at the moment (middle), but what else should/could I plant? I’ve thought perhaps a photina red robin hedge all along, or if not maybe some grasses and ferns? If not, shrubs? It’s about 3m in length and 60-90cm depth. All advice welcomed! 

Posts

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    You already asked this and I answered.
    A climbing hydrangea may be a bit heavy and clingy for a fence. Best on a wall.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Photinia "red robin" has recently become popular as a hedge.  Don't go there, it grows too fast and too big for your position.

    Don't hurry, better to miss a year.  Look arond, visit gardens.  See what you like.  

    Does it get sun from the east and west?  Climbers like Clematis, montana even, Or armandii, might be an answer.  Climbing roses also. 
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
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