Front of house border

SweetPea2022

Hi All, this is the border at the front of the house, it's 3m x 1m, north-facing, gets a bit of sunlight late afternoon/evening. Not sure what the soil is like, but we are in a clay-soil area. It currently has a couple of roses which I've cut back and will be removing come autumn. I'm at a lose as to what to do with it. Please can I have recommendations for shrubs/plants which would be happy here, I like cottage style plants (although not roses!) any ideas? Needs to look nice year-round. Any thoughts or photos of your own borders much appreciated  

Pete.8

Most types of sarcococca would be happy there.
Very fragrant flowers in mid-winter followed by berries.

Hakonechloa macra would also be happy there and would soften the whole area.
The dead foliage and flower stems in winter still look good

I think you's need to improve the soil a bit first with organic matter before doing any planting.

GardenerSuze

 @SweetPea2022 I would start by checking out the soil and improving it. That is the best start for any new plants.
Agree avoid roses you would have the added problem of possible rose sickness.

Sarcococca would be a good choice as it has a winter scent that you can smell on the air. Also cotoneaster and evergreen euonymous can be pruned, important in a small space.
To soften the area you could think of sedges or as @Pete.8 suggests Hakonechloa.
Perhaps limit the number of different plants and repeat along the border? 

You say you like cottage style plants perhaps look at hardy geraniums that grow in a shady spot.  Everything will need to 'earn it's keep'.

If you create shapes throughout the border with evergreens there will always be something there you won't be going out the door in winter and looking at a flat space.  Fill the gaps with seasonal bulbs and annuals this will help hold the interest through out the year, which is the biggest challenge in a small space. 
 

SweetPea2022

Pete.8 said:

Most types of sarcococca would be happy there.
Very fragrant flowers in mid-winter followed by berries.

Hakonechloa macra would also be happy there and would soften the whole area.
The dead foliage and flower stems in winter still look good

I think you's need to improve the soil a bit first with organic matter before doing any planting.

Thank you, that's very helpful 

SweetPea2022

GardenerSuze said:

 @SweetPea2022 I would start by checking out the soil and improving it. That is the best start for any new plants.
Agree avoid roses you would have the added problem of possible rose sickness.

Sarcococca would be a good choice as it has a winter scent that you can smell on the air. Also cotoneaster and evergreen euonymous can be pruned, important in a small space.
To soften the area you could think of sedges or as @Pete.8 suggests Hakonechloa.
Perhaps limit the number of different plants and repeat along the border? 

You say you like cottage style plants perhaps look at hardy geraniums that grow in a shady spot.  Everything will need to 'earn it's keep'.

If you create shapes throughout the border with evergreens there will always be something there you won't be going out the door in winter and looking at a flat space.  Fill the gaps with seasonal bulbs and annuals this will help hold the interest through out the year, which is the biggest challenge in a small space. 
 

Thank you, I'll look into all those ideas ☺️

GardenerSuze

Hi @SweetPea2022. Just sat and reread this thread. I am sure your first thoughts were for flowers. I have been trying to think but a northerly aspect is the one area I struggle with for ideas. I am sure there are other forum members who have north facing borders. Hopefully they can offer more help..

JennyJ

I think hardy fuchsias would be OK there, but maybe not sturdy enough to stand up to getting knocked by passers-by, kids on bikes, wayward pushchairs etc if that's the public pavement in front. I think I'd be looking to put in some sort of low open fence, or plant something tough and prickly like berberis.

GardenerSuze

@SweetPea2022 Fuchsia Hawkshead would give you some late summer interest. White works well in shade. 

JennyJ

I agree, Hawkshead is a lovely pure white with just a hint of green in the flower, and (so far for me) hasn't shown a tendency to want to get huge like some of the others (Whiteknight's Pearl I'm looking at you with chopping back in mind).