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What to plant here?

What would look nice here int the bedding area? It's pretty much south facing, gets a lot of sun (when we have it!) there's another area the same the other side of the steps, that's completely clear. Want something to look nice/green all year and maybe a bit of colour/flower at certain times. Maybe a rose bush? Other than that I have no idea?! Any help much appreciated 
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  • Would help if my photo was showing...here it is from previous post
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited August 2023
     @Bramble What type os soil do you have? You could repeat the same plants each side.
    What else do you have growing there a contrast of leaf shape would be good. Perhaps variegated leaves. Roses aren't evergreen if that is what you would like.
    If you can add some more info you will get some good suggestions.
    Lastly do you live in the north or south UK [I assume].

    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - what are the other shrubs already there?
    It could be a very dry site, which will limit the choices too, unless you get tons of rain consistently that gets into the bed. House walls tend to be drier sites, and it's well surrounded with those, plus the steps.
    Variegated planting will help - Euonymus for example, and they aren't fussy about soil type. Euphorbias too. 
    I think it may come down to herbaceous plants and bulbs though, rather than evergreen shrubs.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2023
    If it was mine I’d plant Sedum Spectabile or whatever it’s called nowadays …  I know it virtually disappears in the depths of winter, but it always reappears and ours is covered with bees and butterflies and makes marvellous ground cover for a sunny spot. 

    That site looks as if it might be full of roots from those shrubs … but sedums won’t mind that, whereas it might be tricky to find the space to plant a shrub which would also need plenty of root space. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Bramble55Bramble55 Posts: 39
    edited August 2023
    You will have to excuse my complete lack of knowledge as to soil type, what plants are there already, there's nothing at all on the other side, there was a fuschia (I know that!) but I cut that right down as had become a bit top heavy. I don't know what's growing in the side I have photographed, I'm happy to remove and replace. All I know that was growing there was a ton of Ivy climbing the house which I got rid of. I think it is quite a dry site, we are South based (Cornwall) not long been here that's why I don't know what the other plants are called, I took lots up that had just been left to look untidy, wanted to start from fresh, and lots of roots so it shouldn't be that rooty anymore, but like I say I'd happily remove the last of what's there and start from scratch or just add to what's there, other side completely bare but what I put in to look nice I have no idea, I've looked into Rhododendron? Camellia?Maybe some lavender? I don't mind if not all evergreen just a variety of bits that will mean its not completely dying back in the duller months, there will still be something with a bit of life and colour. Thank you 
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    If you can improve your soil by adding some organic matter, often sold in garden centres as Soil Improver or Farmyard Manure, you'll get any new plants off to a better start.  As @Fairygirl has said, Euonymus or Euphorbias would be tolerant of that position.  You could also try a dwarf version of something like Hypericum which has bright yellow flowers, followed by berries and might remain evergreen where you are.  An easy pleaser with colour for the edges of your borders is Erigeron karvinskianus which flowers here from April to December.  It's happy in dry soil once established. Some bulbs, like tulips, would also add some seasonal colour.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Thankyou for all the suggestions so far. This is the other side, still a few bits there but they're going, might leave the fuschia to grow back bottom left of the bed (if it will?) Gets full sun for most of day. It's 5ft at its widest gradually getting narrower towards end of house then 14ft long, the other side of steps the bed slightly smaller. I Will look into what has been suggested so far 👍🏻👍🏻 Should I be growing at different levels, higher at the back, low at the front?
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Yes, a bed like that will look better with higher plants at the back.  Be mindful of the fact that any plants close to the wall will be in a rain shadow so plant a distance away from the wall to ensure rainfall reaches the soil.  You will have to keep the bed well watered while you are establishing your new plants, even if it rains!  Lavender will also suit that site.  Choose an English lavender like Hidcote, they are better for damp cold winters!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • @Plantminded @Fairygirl I really like the look of the Euonymus, so would that be a 'at the back' shrub then I also really like the look of Erigeron Karvinskianus, and the Sedum Spectabile and then I do also like the lavender for the front/lower. But I can't plant all those together, or can I?...My trouble is I get lots of plants I like the look of and usually end up cramming too much into the space, so I'm trying to do these front bits properly and get you experts (certainly experts compared to me anyway) to advise and suggest 😀

  • And anyone know what these are? (Second photo) They're similar to each other but different. I cleared everything else but left these. Looking a bit twiggy/stalky, will they bush out a bit now they have some more space or should I dig up and replace like I did with the rest? And also the first photo shows a gap in behind, if I am keeping them would something grow in there if I planted it or will what's there fill that space soon enough? (For now I am going to keep what's growing up onto the wall) 
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