Garden Problem Areas

Anyone else got these sort of spots? Areas where no matter what you do or plant, they still don't look right? I have two of them!

• An area right by the patio (typical). By rights, it should be thriving, as it gets fun sun and has a fence behind it, but nothing does well there. I think I've identified the problem though - twofold. First, the soil level is pitiful, as the cement used to set the patio bricks flowed out and the soil covering it is only a couple of inches thick. But I built a raised bed last winter further along the patio and the plants in it are thriving. So will do the same in this area this winter!
• The other area is dappled shade, not a huge space, but nothing will grow there as the slugs eat everything (including foxgloves). My solution is to fill this spot with Euphorbias, several of them. Let the little slime balls try eating those! Ha!

So, anyone else have similar troublesome areas?

 

And I forgot to mention that the first problem area gets hit by the wind that whistles down the alleyway between our house and neighbour so tall plants gets battered. So in the grand plan, tall plants like the verbascum, delphiniums, lupins and even caterbury bells will have to get moved :(

Still, I guess gardening is all about observing and adapting...