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Front garden tweak or start again?

agnasiaagnasia Posts: 154
in Garden design
Hi, I would hugely appreciate any advice on my front garden. I am a novice gardener so learning all the time!

I planted my small border in September 2018, mainly with deschampsia cespitosa and hebe rakaiensis. Over time the hebe has grown huge (140cm wide) and has swamped everything else. I had alliums and verbena but they are now crowded out. I took the deschampsia out after it stopped growing and dividing didn’t seem to help. I also have a potted rose (Desdemona) and potted bay (which is looking very yellow so planning to refresh the compost).

So my question is; as the hebe seems so happy do I work with it, or as it is now dominating do I take it out and start over?

I do like that it’s evergreen so there is always something to look at. However, I thought it would be a bit taller so more visible over the brick wall (63cm high). It also only started to flower the last two years, but not all over the plant?

Front garden when planted in 2018
 

How the front garden looks now in 2024



Thanks in advance!

Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    If you like the hebes, keep the hebes
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    The Hebes do look very healthy. A tall columnar grass between them would give you some height. Calamagrostis Karl Foerster would grow to about 1.5m tall, giving you winter interest too with its faded flowers. Both your Bay and your rose would be happier in the ground so you could use them as the basis of a new border design if you decide to remove one or both of the Hebes.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • agnasiaagnasia Posts: 154
    Ha ha, I’m debating whether or not I like the hebes @Fire :D I like them but do I like them enough to be the main feature?

    Thanks @Plantminded I do like calamagrostis and have them in the back garden. Do you think the hebes could tolerate being pruned back a bit?

    I was also considering whether the rose and bay could be in the ground. Trying to keep them adequately watered in the summer is challenging, the border gets loads of sun and is south facing. I’ve tried window boxes several times and everything fries!
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    edited 3 March
    Hebe rakaiensis has a natural dome shape and should only be pruned lightly, avoiding cutting into old wood. I like them but they look better in a larger space. I think I’d remove them now and try a new combination. I change some of my borders every year! Your rose and Bay will enjoy that location and be easier to maintain in the summer.  Topping the border with a mulch will also help to retain moisture. 
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • agnasiaagnasia Posts: 154
    @Plantminded yes I think that is the conclusion I’m coming to. Although I’ll be sad to see the hebes go.

    What do you think will work with the rose and bay? Thank you for the tip about mulching, I often forget!
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    You could try something that won’t compete aggressively with the rose for water like an English Lavender or Salvia Caradonna.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • agnasiaagnasia Posts: 154
    Thank you @Plantminded
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