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Hardy border...

aidanhoadaidanhoad Posts: 171
in Garden design
Hi all,

I am in the early stages of creating a border in an area of my garden - our whole property is exposed and faces cold temperatures, heavy rainfall and strong sea winds.

I have attached a picture to show where the border is going to be - we had hoped that the wall will at least provide a degree of shelter.

The bed itself is around 1.5m in depth and I was looking for some advice as to:
1. What hardy perennials I could plant? 
2. How many ‘layers’ I should aim for - I was imagining three giving each different layer a half metre...?

Any advice would be so helpful!

Thank you,
Aidan. :)

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,234
    Most of us haven't gardened in quite such an exposed spot! Things that cope with the wind will be key (no Delphiniums or Hollyhocks presumably!) Probably more along the lines of ornamental grasses and low/moundy perennials.

    Re 'layers' - I think you should move away from the idea of layers. You can plant in blobs and blocks where taller stuff is brought through to the front for a more arty and natural effect.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,234
    Looking good by the way. What is the soil like, how deep etc?
  • aidanhoadaidanhoad Posts: 171
    Hi @Loxley, thanks for commenting! Right now the soil is very shallow as you can probably tell... I spent the day shovelling (aided by a wheelbarrow) a tonne of soil to the border! Another bag to go and then I think I will have to order a lot more...! Hoping to end up with a depth of around 10 inches... which again will limit our planting I’m sure...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,138
    My Belgian garden was exposed to strong north westerly winds - nothing between us and the Channel and also a lot of easterly beasts - nothing between us and Siberia.  We had lots of rain and in any year temperatures could range between -25C and +38C.

    I grew phlomis russelliana, lysimachia clethroides alba, echinops, lychnis chalcedonica, hardy geraniums, astrantias, hostas, ligularias, astilbes, aconitum, helianthemum, acquilegias, chelone, Japanese anemone, cornflowers, phlox.  Lots of shrubs and some clematis and roses too.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • aidanhoadaidanhoad Posts: 171
    @Obelixx - amazing, thank you!

    Going to google them all and have a look :)
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,138
    There were more but that's what come to mind first off.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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