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Plant ideas for raised border

matthewrochematthewroche Posts: 31
in Plants
Hi all,

I’m still slowly plodding along with a garden renovation. I’m looking for ideas for something to plant in the raised border at the back of the garden.

I’m looking for something that wouldn’t grow wild and need too much maintenance and would fit well in a modern garden.

I’m aiming to paint the wall, feather edge my side of the fence, and then get planting spring/summer.


Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @matthewroche My first thought was which way does the raised bed face? I assume you have added lots of good soil/compost etc to the beds. Repeating the same plant at intervals always works well with a long border.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • matthewrochematthewroche Posts: 31
    It’s south facing. In the summer it will be in the sun almost all day.

    I have lots of soil left over from turfing so yes there will be some new soil to go on top.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @matthewroche Do you like grasses you could consider Calamagrostis Karl Foerster as part of a mixed planting. This grass stands all winter. See Knoll Gardens web site for photos. There are also other forms of Calamagrostis you could consider?
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
     @matthewroche Just to add your garden does look shady perhaps it is because the sun is low in the sky?
    A south facing border isn't always sunny if a building is blocking the light. Grasses like the sun.  Are you looking for evergreens  or flowering plants? It is a large area and could be expensive to plant. You could buy some large pots of perennials and split them. 
    Advice would depend on the soil.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • matthewrochematthewroche Posts: 31
    Yes it’s pretty shady in the low winter sun. But in the summer the sun stays above the house all day.

    An evergreen would probably suit better, then perhaps we could add some flowering/perennial plants right at the front of the bed.

    But yes you’re right, it’s a 10.8m bed so I also need to consider cost! I was thinking about perhaps some small vibrant green conifers spaced out equally, but would they just grow massive?!



  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I’ve used evergreens such as Griselinia, Bay, Thuja and Arbutus unedo to obscure my fences plus hardy geraniums, Salvias, Nepeta and small grasses like Hakonechloa to add some colour.  You could also include a climber like a clematis. I’m assuming that your bed is open to the earth below and has adequate depth to support shrubs.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    If you want additional height to add some privacy, you could include a small tree like a fastigiate form of an Amelanchier or a large shrub like a Buddleja.  I have both in my garden, close to a fence and other shrubs.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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