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Gladioli for me. Something about them just looks like they belong in a vase and not in a border. Leylandii obviously, but that's basically cheating as an answer. I've also never got on with begonias, they always look slightly plastic to me no matter what variety.

Alpine strawberries do really well in partial shade, they actually prefer it to full sun. Gooseberries are worth a go too, they're one of the few fruit bushes that genuinely don't mind a shadier spot.

it makes a lot of sense!! Thanks for sharing your opinión!!

Those windows would make a brilliant cold frame, honestly probably more useful than as bed sides. For the raised bed itself, about 30cm deep is plenty for most veg. You could get some lettuce, radish and spring onions going now and they'll be fine under fleece if it's still chilly where you are.

Mega bucks would mean moving somewhere warm, but just a million would mean I'd stay where I am but just do things I'd like, heated greenhouse would be nice, but I think I'd just wish it had happened earlier mostly.

Not a heron - we have loads of them here on the Thames. They are much more angular birds, standing around waiting for fish and looking elegantly gawky. This rounder softer looking bird is some kind of a wader - maybe a greenshank or godwit as @Selleri says. Or a dunlin, or a sandpiper?

I've always thought a good rule in general is you dont plant out plants that are already flowering. So most bedding plants get pinched back in my place if showing flowering buds.Plants you buy are more often than not already flowering, because they sell better that way.

Yeah not sure why its alkaline, I assume they have added lime as most composted material, I always thought, ended up on the acid side.

I'd be very careful of the vinca as @CarolineL says. Whilst the v major is the worst, the v minor will also spread rapidly. Are you keeping all of the lawn shown in your photo ? If so, there isn't a lot of space left for plants. Either way, violets, ferns, spring bulbs may be worth considering.

Made this 'Tote' for a friend. He will use it as a magazine rack. Perspex is A4 size, bought from an auction site. Pine and rods were scrap, just lying around in my garage. Now waiting for Mrs C to apply 4 coats of clear matt varnish.

Thank you, yes we've been here almost 5 years and the garden feels quite private now that everything is growing nicely. It also feels bigger than it is even though we've planted so much out there! It is half the size of our previous garden, but such a lovely relaxing space to spend our time....