Front garden from scratch

emily1990.ehm8-AbwrD

Hi everyone,

Very new inexperienced gardener here! We have a bare south facing front garden we'd like to add plants to for all year round interest. The ground is being prepared soon for planting, and we may keep the slate chippings for mulch..

I really like the idea of climbing roses/rose garden but also like lavender and ornamental grasses....we have a spare hydrangea in main garden we can add too. But otherwise I'm fairly overwhelmed by where to plant in order for it to work well all year....

We have two very small children so probably need something that's easy to maintain!

Any suggestions welcome! We are hoping to plant in July

Some photos of space attached
Thanks so much

GardenerSuze

@emily1990.ehm8-AbwrD The first thing you need to do is take a look at the soil if it is heavy clay it will need added drainage for my suggestions. It could also be compacted. 
Keep it very simple and repeat the plants on either side of the path.
If you are thinking of a contemporary look grasses are a good idea. Roses and lavender work well together and are more traditional. Personally roses with slate at the base would not be to my taste. Also Hydrangas are not really suited to a hot site.
You could look at Helianthemums, santolina pinnata, rosemary Miss Jessops up right Calamagrostis and Erigeron Karvinskianus for the steps, there are also hardy geraniums for a warm site.
I think a front garden needs interest all year round, the grass mentioned wiil stand all winter and rosemary is evergreen. Some of these ideas may depend on if you live in the north or south of the country.
There are so many things you could do and everyone will have a different approach.
Is that euphorbia in your pot by the door? Sap is an irritant  and I would be careful with children.

Busy-Lizzie

Roses would be nice climbing up the house walls but don't plant them too close to the wall. The base of walls can get very dry, best for the house but not the rose! However, I wouldn't put slate around the roses. Roses like to be mulched with compost and/or rotted manure and they need feeding in March and just after the first flowering. So make a bed without slate for climbing roses.

Do you know what is under the slate, what sort of earth? 

emily1990.ehm8-AbwrD

Thank you both for your suggestions! I didn't know about slate being unsuitable for roses so I really appreciate that tip. So it's definitely compact heavy clay under the slate and hasn't been touched for years so we are having it dug up/new soil added to improve the quality/hopefully drainage..

I won't add the hydrangea, that's a good point, thank you I really appreciate all this advice as I'm so new to this!!

Yes well spotted! That plant is out the front to keep it away from the children- they don't use this door and aren't allowed out here for that reason  

Busy-Lizzie

Roses are OK with clay. When I lived in Kent the soil was heavy clay and we had some beautiful roses.

Fairygirl

You could also add some Hebes for all year round interest. They'll be happy in that aspect, but if the soil's been covered and compacted for along time [which seems the case] it'll all need improved to give plants a fighting chance. South facing will be drier, and while it'll suit lots of plants, clay can be quite difficult if it isn't improved to give better drainage in winter, and avoid cracking in summer. Just adding new soil won't necessarily make the difference if the clay is solid below that.   
The amount of time you have to spend is also a factor. If you stick with lower maintenance, straightforward planting, like the ones mentioned already, and add lots of bulbs, that will be ideal if you're busy. You can add other plants over time, according to your likes and dislikes, and repeat planting is always a good idea in a small space, rather than lots of individual, different plants   
I'd add Lilies and Asters too, for verticals. Asters are later flowering too, so that gives something to extend the flowering season. Many of the Crocosmias are later too, if you like those - brighter colours. 

GardenerSuze

@emily1990.ehm8-AbwrD   @Fairygirl has made some very valid points. Clay is wet in winter so plants that like a dry soil struggle. However if you plant for a wet soil it will be too dry in summer. You do end up with a very limited plant choice. Improving the soil is very important before you invest in plants. The plants I have mentioned will love a southerly aspect but need good drainage. You may find when you dig down that you hit a pan of clay, normally this should be broken up to let a plants roots find their way. I think I would take a look at your soil,watch out for pipes, before going out  buying lots of plants. Perhaps an update would be good and then you will get lots more help? I hope this is helpful.

emily1990.ehm8-AbwrD

Thanks all for your help and suggestions it's really appreciated! We are having a landscape gardener in July in to rejuvenate the soil and add more, so presumably he will be able to tell a bit more too about the state of play before we plant? We don't have the time to dig it up ourselves as we have two toddlers. We found when had the main garden landscaped and dug up that there was loads of building rubble underneath (think it may be the case out front too..) so I'm not sure if that makes a difference/is relevant to add! Instead of slate, what other mulch should I use for a front garden (as slate not suitable for roses). Thanks again! 

GardenerSuze

@emily1990.ehm8-AbwrD I think it is common to find all sorts of builders rubble and rubbish buried when you have a new build. I'm not a rose expert but they are hungry plants that need to be mulched to do well.  There are so many roses to choose from, lovely in June but there is the rest of the year to think of too. There are some great rose growers on this forum who could give you advice. I hope all your plans go well.

emily1990.ehm8-AbwrD

Thank you 😊😊

Fairygirl

It's always a case of prepping the soil well first. Plants won't thrive well if the stuff they're growing in isn't suitable for their health. Building rubble and all sorts of inhospitable ground are quite common, and it isn't suitable for most garden plants.

Don't be in a hurry to put plants in. Get the soil right first. It'll pay dividends, and save you wasting money on plants that die and have to be replaced.