Hi all Looking for interesting, practical ideas for planting this small narrow border area - 2.7m x 47cm - by an on-street front wall that's around 60cm high. The front of this terrace house faces north, so even though the border is technically south-facing, the plants will see little sun after early morning. Not looking for a typical urban privacy hedge all the way along it, but maybe one or two plants that will reach 1/1.5m, some interesting shades and textures and year round interest. Ideas welcome - and hugely appreciated! The Dabbler The border in question ( photo / image / picture from TheDabbler's Garden ) [/img]
Helenium autumnale is a yellow autumn bloomer with a bit of height. There are tallish Aster Sorts. I will try and look up the name of mine. It is a beauty.
I just finished dividing my favorite shade grass carex oshimensis. It's variegated leaves and beauty in a pot makes it a stand out on the patio. Even though we had 10F weather for a few days last winter the potted plants survived. Those under the fir trees didn't even have leaf damage. The one exposed needed to be trimmed back. Usually it has year round good looks. Japanese maples are good container plants for shade. I have put cedars into pots also and they do well in partial shade. Many trees do well and can be treated like a very large bonsai. I have a mungo pine that has been potted for 10-15 years and is about 6' tall in its pot. Just find a variety that does well in shade and that you like.
Hello Again Dab-- As promised, I looked up the name of that aster that I have. it is the Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster). It really is a stunning thing.
Hi TheDab, So, the plot has morning sun only. I guess that means plants that like partial shade. How about going for contrasting colors & foliage, like a miniature cutleaf Japanese maple, a very dwarf weeping hemlock, a hosta or two (a blue, a variegated, &/or a chartreuse), & some hakonechoa grass? The hemlock would have a dense appearance, the maple a thinner, more architectural look, the hostas a fat broad shape & the hakonecloa grass a bright weeping effect.