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Plants selected for East facing border...thoughts please

sharanshrubssharanshrubs Posts: 74
in Plants
Hi, This border is East facing (full sun with spots of partial shade), alkaline loam, well drained.
7m wide by 1.5m deep. Fence is 1.8m high.
Would like approx. 80% evergreen plants with a few perennials.
Colour scheme white, purple, pink.
Wanted to get your thoughts and any further suggestions on the following plants I have chosen:

Large:
Pittosporum Wrinkled blue
Escallonia peach blossom (will need to prune to keep to manageable size)
Pinus nigra green tower
Choisya × dewitteana Aztec Pearl (will need to prune to keep to manageable size)

Medium:
Pittosporum bannow bay
Thuja Bowling ball OR Thuja Teddy
Lavandula angustifolia 'Blue Mountain White’
Salvia leucantha 'Midnight’

Smaller Perennials:
Dianthus
Salvia

Thoughts? Other suggestions?
Many thanks!

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @sharanshrubs Does your border get full sun in the morning only? Dianthus need six hours of sun per day to do well. I think repeating some of your choices would be a good idea and including some taller plants at the front. I also think I would consider deciduous shrubs as many give a lovely shape to a border in winter.
    Looks like an interesting project. Suze.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • sharanshrubssharanshrubs Posts: 74
    It gets full sun in the afternoon too. I have some Dianthus in another border not getting enough sun so I will probably try them in this border. Yes I was thinking of repeating a few plants, and will try some taller ones. Thank you for your advice and suggestions!
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    My own East to NE facing border is composed of a neutral very free-draining loam ; many years ago and for something slightly different I planted Ilex x altarclerensis 'Golden King' , for the berries and the attractive variegation . Complimentary shrubs are Parrotia persica , Crindodendron hookerianum , Mahonia eurybracteata and Desfontainea spinosa . All these should be OK in your border .
    A contrasting and evergreen blue-flowering understorey was achieved by massing numerous plants of Buglossoides purpurocaerulea . The latter does prefer acidic soil , so watering copiously with collected rainwater during dry spells does help .
    Your border looks open to endless possibilities !


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited March 2023
    @PaulB3 What an amazing list of plants it shows just how diverse growing conditions are in different parts of the country. Sadly not for my garden but great to know.

    @sharanshrubs Do you know the PH of your soil, you say Dianthus is not doing well could your soil be too acidic or is it just a problem due to lack of sun.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • sharanshrubssharanshrubs Posts: 74
    @GardenerSuze its ph 7.5....

    Thank you @Paul B3 I'm looking forward to planting soon!

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @sharanshrubs Thought I would mention it as Dianthus flowers best in a soil that is more alkaline. You have a wonderful project ahead of you, hope you will share the results of your hard work at a later date. I find it very interesting as these plants won't grow in my garden. Good Luck.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Definitely too alkaline for my motley selection ;)
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