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Shrubs for a very small cottage garden
We have just moved into our first house and have a very small yard at the back with two raised beds. In these are two large leggy lavendars, peonies, and a large patch of geraniums and not much more. At the moment I've popped bedding plants into any bare patches and pots etc but I'm thinking about putting some shrubs in and some evergreens but this being my first ever garden I have no idea which ones would suit a small garden with lots of slugs! I'm in Derbyshire and it's quite exposed (windy/cold). any ideas? Thanks
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Any chance of putting a photo on the forum and also telling us which way it faces?.
Yes, of course. It's south facing. The photos I've got are for a month or so ago so what is there has grown quite a bit, and they arent the best photos. Sorry. The geranium and peonies seem a little overwhelming now! Not much room for anything else, may need to split the geranium at some point or there'll be no space for any other plants.
Hi Verdun
Just looked up pictures of your suggestions on line and they all look lovely. I like the range of colours and shapes to add interest. Thank you. Definitely given me some great ideas
You don't have a lot of room for shrubs but I would follow Verdun's suggestions of a small Phormium and a Hebe. I personally love Geranium's as they were one of the first plants my granddad got me growing as a child. There are some that are pretty large like G Rozanne but there are also some lovely small ones like 'Max Frei', 'Ankrum's Pride' or 'Mavis Simpson' that would run riot. That wall is crying out for some aubretia.
Last post should say 'won't run riot.' Sorry.
I love geraniums too, especially as the slugs dont seem to touch them. This one has just started flowering so looks pretty. Just this one is taking over the tiny plot. I'll see if i can find some of those ones suggested.
*feeling excited*
hi hetty we're in south yorkshire small gardens front and back, love cottage style,agree aubretia would be stunning, geraniums are lovely, though mine are huge tall and overtaking everything else, must thun out, good luck, look forward to seeing photos