What should I plant in my borders

[Crackle]

I haven't a clue.

I was thinking of a small tree for this bit

It's all North facing and is very sandy once you get a foot down. I was thinking of some grasses in the long bit, to hide the fence. I want a small tree in the other side but I know nothing about trees. Anyone got some helpful suggestions?

 

[sheddy]

My favourite is the Silver Birch. Not sure if it would survive bone dry conditions though, the BBC gardening website may advise

 

[rich p]

A small shrub might be a better bet Crax, that tolerates shade.

A hebe maybe or hydrangea petiolaris if it has somewhere to climb.

Grass is a bit ordinary and needs cutting if it survives being damp and shady. It may get mossy there. I have lots of hellebore seedlings which would do okay along there and provide a good early display and decent foliage all year. Shall I send you a few?

 

[Spinney]

Grass is a bit ordinary and needs cutting if it survives being damp and shady. It may get mossy there. I have lots of hellebore seedlings which would do okay along there and provide a good early display and decent foliage all year. Shall I send you a few?

He might have meant ornamental grasses.

Could try shade-tolerant climbers like honeysuckle or simlar - but this might mean you needed to put supports on the fence.

 

[dan_bo]

That fence is Ok.

shedload of Calendula in the long bit (comes back and self seeds year after year) Hebe in the corner.

 

[Crackle]

The small roundish bit for the tree just about gets sun from midday but the long border not until late afternoon and hardly at all in winter. Yes I did mean ornamental grasses rather than grass. I'm training that bush along the top of the fence but in general I don't like climbers so I'm looking for ground level stuff.

I'd really like a tree in the corner but if everyone says it won't survive I shall refrain. I have to dig out that rubble, down to the sandy soil (about 1.5 feet) and then fill it with some new soil. I was looking for one that matures at about 10/15 feet.

Hellebore looks nice Rich. Let me have a bit more of a clue first but I might take you up on that.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Get a load of ferns in, they're like weeds once they take a hold.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

and a gnome.

 

[Ludwig]

I would plant some alpines, heathers and a mixtrue of herbaceous perenials. You have to be careful about planting trees and shrubs near block paving and property because they can grow very fast and cause damge to drains, cause subsidence and the roots can lift paving.

 

[Crackle]

I would plant some alpines, heathers and a mixtrue of herbaceous perenials. You have to be careful about planting trees and shrubs near block paving and property because they can grow very fast and cause damge to drains, cause subsidence and the roots can lift paving.

You might be right about the tree. Rich's Hebe suggestion is beginning to take root.

Alpines and heathers were a thought for the far end where it's wider.

 

[Melonfish]

Wild strawberry, vegetables, perhaps chilli's or peas?
why waste good growing space, make it so that as you pass it in the morning you can have a nibble
pete

 

[Shadow]

I was going to suggest some climbers for along the fence but that appears to be a no-no. I tink you'll find grasses will grow too big, there's not much width there. Campanula is a particular favourite ground cover of mine but not sure if that likes shade.

Like rich says, a shrub would be more suitable for the other area but also ludwig's advice is sage.

How about going to your LGS (that's like a LBS but for plants!) and ask their advice?!!

 

[summerdays]

My favourite is the Silver Birch. Not sure if it would survive bone dry conditions though, the BBC gardening website may advise

Silver Birch trees can get quite bit - though they are generally shallow rooted - my neighbour's one is taller than our house now and it was planted about 10 or 15 years ago.

One of my favourite shrubs is a Choisya ternata (the green rather than golden version) - Mexican Orange Blossom - evergreen, tolerant and can be clipped back to what ever size you need once a year - and fantastic smelling blossom. If you want a tree what about a Japanese maple - I have one - nothing fancy - just small green leaves, that is now about 8 ft tall and it is growing in a shady location - though not sure what it would think of sandy soil....

 

[Paladin - York]

"Cyclemen"!!!!!!!!!!

 

[threebikesmcginty]