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Plant Ideas

Zahid_63cZahid_63c Posts: 121
in Plants
Hi everyone 
In my small garden border(60cm width)I have on both sides 1 bay Tree 2 bus is cones and 6 carex grasses
I feel like I need to add some colour as it's all green,the grasses do have some gold but I was thinking some colour and contrast 
Can anyone suggest any plants that would be ideal for my border,would prefer evergreen and low maintenance 
Thanks
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Posts

  • Butterfly66Butterfly66 Posts: 970
    Heuchera are evergreen and come in a wide range of (foliage) colours - purples, silver, caramel etc. The foliage shape would also contrast well with your grasses
     If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero
    East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
  • Zahid_63cZahid_63c Posts: 121
    Thanks for that 
    I don't like the look of them too much 
    Any other suggestions?
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    What direction does your border face and do you know what type of soil is in your border?
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Do you want flowers or coloured foliage? Why don't you go to a garden centre and see what they've got that you like the look of. There should be some info about the plants, size, hardiness etc on the labels. Take your smartphone, if you have one, to look them up.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Zahid_63cZahid_63c Posts: 121
    I'd like coloured foliage not particularly flowers
    My garden is south facing and borders are on either side
    Not particularly aware regards soil 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That means one border will be east facing and one will be west facing, if the garden is south facing.
    It's important to know what the soil's like -because of drainage, but also whether it's light and sandy or if it's heavy clay. Some plants won't cope if it's the wrong type.

    Carexes tend to like fairly moisture retentive soil, so I'm guessing that border is reasonably moist most of the time. Euonymous fortuneii varieties would be fine, but they'll clash a bit with the Carexes, so you'd be better with a dark foliaged plant. Those Heucheras already suggested would have been ideal. 
    There are low growing, ground covering plants like Ajuga, which come in purple. They're not too fussy about soil or aspect. They'd be fine in either site. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    You can get black, blue or bright green grasses as well as variegated ones. Is it dogwood which has bright red stems? There's another option. Pieris - don't like it myself but it has its place. Clumping bamboos, lamb's ears, oregano..
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I’d remove two of the grasses and plant two variegated Phormiums to give height and a bit more variety.  They are evergreen, easy to maintain and happy in sun or shade.  There are many varieties available in different colour combinations.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Zahid_63cZahid_63c Posts: 121
    The phormiums sounds like a good idea but will my border not be to small for them 
    Its 60cm wide?
  • Zahid_63cZahid_63c Posts: 121
    I'm assuming it would be best to remove the middle grass?
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