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any budding gardeners ? (1 Viewer)

earleybird

Well-known member
I would like to landscape the border along the front of our cottage and need some specialist advice about shrubs,plants and wild flowers .

I have a good idea how I'd like to plant it but really need some suggestions and advice about which shrubs,wild flowers etc to use .
To say i'm clueless about gardening is an understatement.
 
Before any really worthwhile advice could be given, information on shelter/exposure to wind, shade/sun, soil type and drainage and size of plot would be necessary.

To me the number one key to gardening is "the right plant in the right place". All to many well meant projects fail because plants chosen are not ideally suited.
 
thank you Simon. Thats exactly the sort of answer i was hoping for.:t:
you clearly know what you are talking about.
Would you be prepared to offer some advice if I supply the information you require please ?

The flower bed is approx 12mts long and runs in front of our stone cottage. In front of that is a narrow asphalt vehicular access lane which passes accross the front of the cottage. Our cottage is in South Somerset and the front elevation faces South and is well shaded by broadleaf and evergreen trees opposite.

The environment is fairly dark and damp in the winter and there are lots of ferns algae and lichen growing nearby.

The bed has approx 9" depth of soil which could be increased to 15"without compromising the damp proof course.

I'll dig out some phots which should give a better idea.
peainlanelight.jpg
 
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I'd love to but really I should have mentioned beforehand that my real gardening experience is limited to southern Spain and Portugal - where I worked building and designing gardens till 1996.

I am too far removed from suitable plants for the UK to be able to recommend on plants etc. Nonetheless as I said, help will be more in context with your site now you've posted some details.

However, although not too ambitious I would have thought that as you seem not to have space for trees maybe some Cotoneaster species that can easily be trained on the wall would work, be attractive on stone and attract some birds to their berries. This would leave space for lower plants. Its difficult to suggest some for birds - annuals, presuming you have some sunshine in the spring and summer is an option - especially if they produce plenty off seed - it would be something that you could vary year to year. As for permanent plants it sounds like ferns, Hostas and Azaleas should work but won't be advantageous for attracting birds. I'm sure other gardens in your area could give you ideas. Maybe a good looking bird table/feeder and drinking feature could be central to the design and bring substance to the little plot?

Oh - and definitely increase soil depth and use nice light soil!

I hope someone can give some more options!
 
Hi Earlybird

I've moved your thread to the Gardening for Birds forum, as this one is more about trees and plants in the wild.

You may also be interested, perhaps, in joining our sister site The Gardener's Forum - I'm sure that you'll get the information your looking for there.

D
 
Hi Earlybird

I've moved your thread to the Gardening for Birds forum, as this one is more about trees and plants in the wild.

You may also be interested, perhaps, in joining our sister site The Gardener's Forum - I'm sure that you'll get the information your looking for there.

D
thank you Delia but I'm not looking to create a garden for birds its not a safe area, we have a huge wild garden to the rear for that.

I'll post in a gardening forum
 
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