Thanks all for the bits and bobs of advice. The school caters for boys aged 11 upwards and currently has some of the plants mentioned by Julie Stakes in the Heads garden area which is a main throughfare for visitors and students alike.
This is my first school contract and thus far they are overwhelmed with what we have done at the school but I am very wary about the Litigious society we now live in and this is why I seek advice on some shrubs that would blend in well as a herbacious border and still not make the current roses etc look out of place.
The plants you mention are mainly shrubs rather than herbaceous plants (which die back in winter and regrow in spring/summer). There's a lot to be said for a shrubby border, as it can give year-round interest and colour and needn't take much maintenance. I like the ones you've mentioned already (although I have misgivings about roses, which can be a nuisance to look after). You might consider adding Cistus, Euoynmus, Berberis, Pyracanthus, Fatsia, and Hydrangeas. A black-leaved Elder could look good, and there's always good old flowering currant and Buddleia if you want some to grow fast.
I would avoid (if it wasn't already too late in the case of our garden) the more rampant cotoneasters and also Pernettya, which straggles around and puts out messy runners all over the place.
Precise plant choices may depend on the aspect and altitude of the garden and possibly where you are in the country. Inland Somerset will be very different from exposed coastal Lancashire.
Thanks to all for your help and advice, I am happy to confirm that we have made a decission on a planting scheme and will begin with the flower beds during the summer holidays, having the gardens ready for the start of the new school year in September.
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Thanks all for the bits and bobs of advice. The school caters for boys aged 11 upwards and currently has some of the plants mentioned by Julie Stakes in the Heads garden area which is a main throughfare for visitors and students alike.
This is my first school contract and thus far they are overwhelmed with what we have done at the school but I am very wary about the Litigious society we now live in and this is why I seek advice on some shrubs that would blend in well as a herbacious border and still not make the current roses etc look out of place.
Many Thanks
The plants you mention are mainly shrubs rather than herbaceous plants (which die back in winter and regrow in spring/summer). There's a lot to be said for a shrubby border, as it can give year-round interest and colour and needn't take much maintenance. I like the ones you've mentioned already (although I have misgivings about roses, which can be a nuisance to look after). You might consider adding Cistus, Euoynmus, Berberis, Pyracanthus, Fatsia, and Hydrangeas. A black-leaved Elder could look good, and there's always good old flowering currant and Buddleia if you want some to grow fast.
I would avoid (if it wasn't already too late in the case of our garden) the more rampant cotoneasters and also Pernettya, which straggles around and puts out messy runners all over the place.
Precise plant choices may depend on the aspect and altitude of the garden and possibly where you are in the country. Inland Somerset will be very different from exposed coastal Lancashire.
Thanks to all for your help and advice, I am happy to confirm that we have made a decission on a planting scheme and will begin with the flower beds during the summer holidays, having the gardens ready for the start of the new school year in September.
Regards
Rui