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What would you plant here?

Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
in Garden design
I've just cut down the bamboo in this stone trough as it's suffering from heat and dryness. Was going to plant some nerines but now undecided. It faces west, 2m long x 60cm wide and sits on the paving base with weep holes somewhere as it never floods. There is a 2m drop behind it down to the verge/cul de sac road and there is a 40ft birch tree behind it. The stone bench in front will stay to give more seating if needed.Thinking about another shorter trellis panel fixed to the first to give more wind protection/privacy. On the left is the winter flowering clematis 'Freckles' which I was going to train across the trellis and on the right a wisteria branch snakes through to the back. I don't want to plant anything that needs a lot of watering like the bamboo did.
Any ideas welcome, it's a tricky one!

North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
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Posts

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    If your bed is quite dry and your climbers will give you enough screening @Lizzie27, how about a mix of Lavender and Erigeron Karvinskianus which will cope with those conditions? They won’t need regular watering once established and you’ll get scent near your seating area. The Erigeron will also cascade over your wall.  It flowers here from April to December so good value!  Small ornamental grasses like Molinia Torch or Stipa tenuissima would also add extra interest. 
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • SalixGoldSalixGold Posts: 450
    ..or a mix of shrubby salvias. They will cope find with drought and dryness. Long flowering season, aromatic leaves. Certain ones like Blue Note can cascade. There will be a shrubby salvia to match whatever colour pallete you are into.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' or 'Overdam' would give you the height and screening qualities of the bamboo without being so prone to drought. Those can also be combined with spring bulbs which you can enjoy after cutting the grasses down in winter. I take it you are removing the roots of the bamboo?
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Thanks for those suggestions @Plantminded, @SalixGold and @Loxley. I'll give all those some thought, especially the grasses. How windproof would they be @Loxley? We get quite strong westerly winds here and the terrace is about 6ft high off the ground.

    Yes, I'll be removing the roots of the bamboo, ran out of energy yesterday!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    C. Karl Foerster is very wind resistant @Lizzie27.  I have it on an exposed corner in my front garden.  It grows to about 1.5m in my dry, sandy soil.  It will give you winter interest too.

     
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    The Calamagrostis is very windproof, they will flex in a strong wind and then bounce back to vertical, even in their dried winter form. 

    https://thegardenbarnhouse.com/2015/05/09/calamagrostis-a-grass-for-all-seasons/
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • WaterbutWaterbut Posts: 344
    Rosemary survives well in all sort of conditions and can be used in cooking.
  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904
    @Plantminded I've just added erigeron to my shopping basket. I have loads of Stipa and that's a lovely combination.
    Now if you wouldn't mind stopping putting up nice planting schemes till I check out that would be great! 🤯
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    They will reward you generously @plant pauper!  I'll keep a low profile for a while until you check out!  Some of my Erigeron remain evergreen over winter if it's mild so that's another plus.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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