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Planting north facing border

Hi. I’m a novice but enthusiastic gardener, and need some help with a north facing border. It gets only partial sunlight, and is chalky 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

  • I think my first thought would be to deepen the border?
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Thanks @AnniD. I was just going to do that now that OH is off the computer!
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Sorry guys, I wasn’t sure how this worked and if you had to post in different categories to get an answer. Either way, thanks for your responses - much appreciated
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited September 2022
    @Neil81B One thing you could consider is Cotoneaster horizontalis. Cut away anything that grows forward. You will need a few horizontal wires but you can do this as it grows. If one of the panels rots, wires can be removed and panel replaced. The Cotoneaster wiil be fine just prop it up for a while with a wheelie bin,tried and tested.

    In winter you have the lovely fan shape, in spring tiny flowers loved by insects, in summer a good plain green back drop for other plants and in autumn red tinges to leaves and berries. Clematis such as Montana and Hydranga petiolaris will eventually break the fence.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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