When I bought my house 15 years ago I inherited a lot gravel with membrane under. Took me years to turn those into planting areas. The ground was compacted by the weight of the gravel, there were lots of bugs and generally an unpleasant growing environment and once time one flicked in my lawn mower blade shattering my conservatory glass. Needless to say I am resentful of gravel anywhere in my garden, apart from in my driveway where I park my car. I hope you make use of the the soil mother nature gave us to plant
Thanks for all the advice. I don't think my parents would be too much into maintenance and that would be an issue, but I would be able to maintain it a few times a year. Lots of good suggestions so far. I would defintely like some perennials mixed through and grasses probably would look well.
For shrubs, i am thinking some small conifers that will slowly mature, choisya sundance and aztec pearl, viburunum tinus, ceanothus, sun loving hydrangeas, smaller butterfly bushes, pittosporum tom thumb, fushias, hypercium hidcote and spireas. I do like the suggestions of cornus, euonymous alatus and amelanchier also though.
For perennials, i could do grasses, euphorbia wulfenii, bowles mauve, hardy geraniums like rozanne, some asters etc. Bulbs I don't think will work with the membrane
The issue with the membrane is it will not look cottagey and will have some type of structure and formality, probably what my parents would like to be honest.
Verbena bonariensis would do well, and has a small footprint. And Erygeron karvanskianus for ground cover. Both are long-flowering perennials that will self-seed freely.
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Bit of editing for you @GardenerSuze!
For shrubs, i am thinking some small conifers that will slowly mature, choisya sundance and aztec pearl, viburunum tinus, ceanothus, sun loving hydrangeas, smaller butterfly bushes, pittosporum tom thumb, fushias, hypercium hidcote and spireas. I do like the suggestions of cornus, euonymous alatus and amelanchier also though.
For perennials, i could do grasses, euphorbia wulfenii, bowles mauve, hardy geraniums like rozanne, some asters etc. Bulbs I don't think will work with the membrane
The issue with the membrane is it will not look cottagey and will have some type of structure and formality, probably what my parents would like to be honest.