... I would underplant with perennials including early spring plants (pulmonarias, hellebores)... summer perennials (salvias, hardy geraniums) and late summer / autumn perennials (eurybia). Ornamental grasses are always good to include, they can bind everything together. Takes a bit of trial and error getting the planting looking good all year but it's worth it.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
Before spending any money on plants of any kind, I would explore the soil in between the sleepers. It could be anything from pure clay, to hard core covered with a bit of soil. It could be bone dry. no nutrients to a sodden heavy ground, neither of which would be much good for any plants to grow in. There is a noticeable slope as well, which may mean the top level drains very quickly whilst the bottom nearest the wall stays very wet. The sleepers may have been put in to try to level the area. The grass growing between the sleepers does not look brilliant which could indicate poor low fertile soil, again, no plants will do well in those conditions and the soil also looks rather rough and stony. It could possibly mean emptying the areas between the sleepers and replacing with fresh top soil before trying to grow anything there. It would be a shame to buy plants and then have them struggle to survive or possibly die. Unfortunately gardening quite often means having to curb our impatience for a quick fix, instant impact and have patience to get soil conditions suitable for plants to thrive.
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S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
much good for any plants to grow in.
There is a noticeable slope as well, which may mean the top level drains very quickly whilst the bottom nearest the wall stays very wet. The sleepers may have been put in to try to level the area. The grass growing between the sleepers does not look brilliant which could indicate poor low fertile soil, again, no plants will do well in those conditions and the soil also looks rather rough and stony.
It could possibly mean emptying the areas between the sleepers and replacing with fresh top soil before trying to grow anything there.
It would be a shame to buy plants and then have them struggle to survive or possibly die. Unfortunately gardening quite often means having to curb our impatience for a quick fix, instant impact and have patience to get soil conditions suitable for plants to thrive.