A good thick layer of bark chippings should give your plant roots good protection from freezing @GardenerSuze, unless you have lots of blackbirds there to remove it!
I would advise using shrubs too. After ten years of frustration with two wooden beds in full sun, I have gone for salvia Blue Note and Flower Carpet roses (low growing). They are both inherited very chunky sleepers. Hopefully by next year their roots will have met the ground and I can not worry about watering. Other options I considered were procumbant rosemary and low growing lavender.
At the front I put in a bed of big ex-railway sleepers but didn't know at the time about old time creosote treatment (and the daft installer didn't mention it). I regret the decision as I can't really grow edibles in it and I would now like to.
@Plantminded No blackbirds a few bees dragonflies wagtails. Work is needed!
@Fire I grew a roses called Rushing Stream in my old garden kindly suggested by @Marlorena it's a beauty. Hadn't thought of roses but I am open to as many planting ideas as possible.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@februarysgirl I started gardening as a young child, still learning every day. My Grandad grew just Dahlias in his garden and even more at his allotment. He would take me to see one of the other allotment holders pigs, flies everywhere I didn't like it much. However I liked spending time with my grandad just us two, plants everywhere, and the Dahlias were amazing.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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@Fairygirl I think the planting will be the experimental part but that is the bit I will enjoy.
@Fire I grew a roses called Rushing Stream in my old garden kindly suggested by @Marlorena it's a beauty. Hadn't thought of roses but I am open to as many planting ideas as possible.
My Grandad grew just Dahlias in his garden and even more at his allotment. He would take me to see one of the other allotment holders pigs, flies everywhere I didn't like it much. However I liked spending time with my grandad just us two, plants everywhere, and the Dahlias were amazing.