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Creating a plant divide

kelliejcranekelliejcrane Posts: 51
in Garden design
I’ve started to create a border around the stone circle as I want to create a kind of cosy zone. There’s not a lot of space as I don’t want to come much further out than the plants already there. I wondered if some roses would work if I took them back nearer the circle? I could always plant a smaller plant in front. I want it fairly low to mid-height with those taller trees adding some interesting height. Eventually I will have dug up the lawn and added a retainer. My style veers towards modern cottage but I’ve only been gardening about 2-3 yrs so would love your help! Thank you. 
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  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Grasses create a veil without blocking the view. Knoll Gardens website can give ideas including heights etc.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I think grasses would look too similar a shape to the Cypress trees.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I agree with @punkdoc. I think roses would look prettier and smell better than grasses and also give more of a cottage garden look. Just choose varieties that don't grow too big. You could plant low growing hardy geraniums under them.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • kelliejcranekelliejcrane Posts: 51
    Love this idea! So you don’t think the space I have is a concern? I only want 2 roses, one each side then I have some hebes I might add, I’ve not quite decided. I garden in containers usually so I’m branching out! Thanks for your help. 
  • kelliejcranekelliejcrane Posts: 51
    Thank you @gardenersuze and @punkdoc. I love grasses but think I need something more substantial there but I agree, nothing too dense.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Roses don't like much root competition. The space between the hebe and the cypress might be a bit tight.

    What is most important for you in a rose? A colour, strong scent, long flowering, health?
  • kelliejcranekelliejcrane Posts: 51
    Hello, thanks for responding. I’d like to create a divide that looks classy and elegant. I thought soft white billowy roses ticked that box, followed by fragrance as it’s around a seating area. It’s Desdemona I’d like if that’s any help? I wanted to plant 4 of them. I know that ground has some roots in it from surrounding trees as I wasn’t sure the Yews would like it either but they’re doing fine. Given the winds we’ve had they’ve not budged! 
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Desdemona is lovely.

    Peter Beales Classic Roses plant quite densely in their rose garden.




    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • kelliejcranekelliejcrane Posts: 51
    Thank you @Busy-Lizzie, maybe I just need to go for it and see! David Austen said to allow 2.5 feet per shrub so it’s go for it or dig something up! 
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    I feel your "!modern cottage style" and "classy elegant style" are somewhat opposites. 
    Some grasses grow quite tall, very soft and wafty as well as quite dense near ground level, a good contrast to the stiff columnar growth of the cypres you have growing. Herbaceous plants like Viburnum bonariensis can make an attractive screen, scabious giganteum is another screening plant. 
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