Forum home› Garden design

Front garden. Ideas on plants

AHRAHR Posts: 361
in Garden design

hello 

I have two small boarders in my front garden that haven't been started since we moved in 3 years ago. Now the back garden is done I would like to get the front looking good. 

The garden is north / west facing and the soil is clay. I will be working with the soil before planting. 

one border is in front of the house this doesn't get much rain or sun. The other border is between the path to my front door and  the deviding hedge. This gets sun after 2-3pm onwards. 

I am  looking for some low maintenance plants as I spend most of my time in the back garden. it would be good to have some unusual plants too. I'm hoping that it will be full of colour or different shades and look good all year round.

does anyone have any ideas on what to grow there. 

Please excuse the rubble. I need to do a dump run after laying the path. 

Many thaks for looking. I look fo your replie. 

Andy X imageimage

Posts

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 22,588

    If its a bit dry and shady you could try Brunnera "Jack Frost", heucheras with different coloured leaves, certain geraniums, such as geranium phaeum  a white one or dark "Samobar" with two tone leaves. But it would be bare in winter so try some snowdrops or violas.

    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • chickychicky Posts: 10,391

    Some ferns do ok in dry shade too.  The RHS website lists which ones, and also gives suggestions of other things that will thrive - there's more than you thinkimage

  • chickychicky Posts: 10,391

    http://plantsforshade.co.uk/acatalog/Plants_for_Dry_Shade.html

    This might help too

  • AHRAHR Posts: 361

    thank you for your replys. 

    I do like the  Brunnera as well as ferns. Are these wind tolerant? It does get quite windy here in autumn and winter. 

  • chickychicky Posts: 10,391

    Brunnera is perennial, so disappears below ground in autumn and winter, so should be ok. Ferns and geraniums don't get bothered by wind too much either.  Just don't plant an acerimage

  • Heidi92Heidi92 Posts: 11

    Hostas, heucheras, violets and lily of the valley would all work with the plants above too. Has great foliage and dies down over winter so wont be bothered by high winds.

  • AHRAHR Posts: 361

    Thanks for all of your help. I now have plenty of ides and will be making a start this week. 

  • AHRAHR Posts: 361

    I dug the bed over yesterday and will be buying some compost to mix in to the soil. Is there anything else I could mix in to the soil that would help??  I'm going to start planting on Friday. 

    When end I did the other beds I used compost and blood fish and bone mixed in to the soil. 

    Thanks 

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 22,588

    That sounds fine, I do the same. When I have manure I use that too.

    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Sign In or Register to comment.