West facing border challenge!

Edward.francis

Hello everyone. I’m brand new here and whilst I’m a garden appreciater I’m certainly no gardener hence me posting on here. I’ve just got around to tackling our side garden which is a deep west facing area and backed by a wall. I’ve attached a photo so you can see. I’d like something which is fairly low maintenance, colourful and attractive. There are already some shrubs in place which we inherited (see photos) and these are lovely when they come out. Can anyone suggest some plants to fill in the gaps? I have absolutely no idea about plants but know what I like. Maybe some colour/ texture/ layers? Any help would be appreciated. 

Thanks,

Ed

josusa47

Do you want to cover the wall?  Ivy, Virginia creeper and Boston ivy are all self clinging so you don't have to buy and fix any support.  Ivy needn't be sombre, there are lots of decorative varieties.  Have a look at a nursery called Fibrex, their quality, value and customer service are excellent.  Or you could grow espalier fruit trees against it.  To fill in among the shrubs you could just scatter seeds of hardy annuals and they will self seed for evermore, eg marigolds, nasturtiums, aquilegia, honesty, poppies.  Have a look at the thread on this forum called Seed and plant swap 2018.

B3

Erysmium bm, verbena bon, roses, Peonies, valerian, purple toadflax and lavender work well in my west  facing bed. 

Edward.francis

Thank you for the advice. I’m mainly looking to fill the gaps in between the shrubs that are there currently but like your ideas about covering the wall to so I’ll look into that