What would be suitable?

Hi. I have a shared piece of grass between me and my next door neighbour at the front of my house. I am looking for a small (8-10 inches) high plant, bush, fern, tree - that I can plant up the middle to re-establish the boundary. Needs to be mega low maintenance, not grow more than 10 inches in height, tidy looking and not hugely expensive. I am guessing I will need circa between 8 and 10 plants/ trees etc!

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Abbie

 

Depends on the soil, and which way it faces.

My first thought would be some dwarf lavender. Fairly easy to keep clipped and tidy, fragrant, encourages bees, and wouldn't harm if you did nothing to it for a couple of years. It does need good light, and soil not to compacted / boggy, though.

 

Clay soil. North West facing. Gets sun in the morning.

 

what about these hebes

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/98167...e&page=2&aliaspath=%2fplants%2fsearch-results

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/98085...e&page=2&aliaspath=%2fplants%2fsearch-results

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/93654...e&page=2&aliaspath=%2fplants%2fsearch-results

 

Dont hebes get big?

 

Ideally something neat and tidy. Fussy i know!

 

the first hebe grows to 30cms but has a spread of 90cms not all hebes grow big

hebes would be neat and tidy and you wouldnt have to do anything with them

there wasnt much choice when i put in your options into the rhs i did a search

the last hebe also grows to 30cms

 

Is that because of the time of year - I can wait until something more suitable is in season. Will research hebes more - I do have them - huge buggers they are.

Thanks for all your effort though.

 

is what because of the time of year?

this is the first hebe that i found

 

Here are the search results i got on the rhs

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/Search-Results?form-mode=true&context=l=en&q=%23all&sl=plantForm&r=f%2Fplant_height%2F0.1-0.5+metres&r=f%2Fplant_sunlight%2Fpartial+shade&r=f%2Fplant_soil_type%2Fclay&r=f%2Fplant_foliage%2Fevergreen&r=f%2Fplant_aspect%2Fnorth-facing&r=f%2Fplant_low_maintenance%2Ftrue

i put in the search - partial shade, north facing, evergreen, low maintenance and clay soil and between 0.1-0.5 meters

you can edit the search preferences if you don't want evergreen and if it is actually full sun you can also add in the moisture of the soil too

just keep an eye out as some aren't hardy in the search and you can only search one hardyness rating at a time it seems

 

Ahhhh - great. I wondered if there may be other choices available to buy at different times of the year. If so, I can postpone that little project.

Will defo use the link you sent - that could be useful for other things I have planned for the rear garden.

Thank you very much.

 

ah the rhs just brings up all plants that are suitable for your situation no matter what time of year

hope it helps you find something suitable

 

What about box, then you can clip it to the size and shape you want.

 

Just goes to show that knowing the growing conditions makes a big difference!!

You might be able to get away with lavender still. You would have to incorporate some gravel into a trench along the boundary, and then plant your lavenders. They may not flower quite so early, but would still grow, so long as their roots are not baked / soaked by the clay.

My dad managed to create a Mediterranean gravel garden with hebes, lavenders etc, on a small clay area on the north side of the house, that previously grew poor grass, and lady's smock (loved that lady's smock!!).
(Edited to add: "home" soil was solid red clay, almost ready to make pots from!!)

 

All great suggestions - going to go outside and stare at the space!!!