Ideas for west/south facing border

Hi everyone.

Well I think I've now got a plan for the rectangular border which has an Amelanchier Larmackii in it with underplanting. I'm now turning my attenation to the predominantly west facing border which wraps around to the pizza oven area. See photos of the area.

The is another Amelanchier Larmackii by the pizza oven already but noting else. I've been looking at ideas and would like to cover the fence along the border. Thinking about Star Jasmine there. I was thinking about planting some Camellias next to the Jasmine, however think maybe it's too sunny for them there now.

Any Ideas of what might work given the other planting I've planned already?

Slightly acidic, manure improved clay with top soil on top. Hampshire, UK.

Many thanks,

E

 

I'm sure there will be ideas from people with more gardening experience than me, but a thought I had is that while the planting you already have in the plan is beautiful, most blooms are quite seasonal and not extremely long-lived I believe.

If it was me, I would consider at least one, if not two, roses as they are repeat flowering. Mine bloom from late June to sometimes even into November.

I know some people consider them too old fashioned, and in the case of most varieties that you see in garden centers, I would agree. I don't particularly care for "classic roses" but I love the elegance of David Austin roses. Most of them would suit your scheme colour-wise, as they are mostly pinks and yellows. I admit, I am a little addicted.. That's not to say that there aren't good non David Austin roses as well of course (e.g. For Your Eyes Only).

Roses do require maintenance of course. Because they flower repeatedly and give so much, they do need a bit more help along the way.

 

Well I do like a good rose too. For the fence I was thinking of something evergreen to provide year round coverage but maybe I could sneak a rose into the corner and creeping around the corner to the south side.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Star Jasmine would work well there @machtucker. An annual climber like Thunbergia, Morning Glory or Nasturtium would also give you quick, colourful cover. Thunbergia flowers in my garden until late November. If you want a Camellia, try C. sasanqua which will thrive in sun once established. It flowers from mid-autumn to January. Other flowering evergreen options include Choisya, Mahonia and Osmanthus burkwoodii. These can all be kept to a reasonable size by pruning. Or you could include some medium sized grasses like Panicum Northwind or Calamagrostis Karl Foerster which are both columnar and well contained, giving you some winter interest also.

 

Thanks for your input everyone. I've had a play around with this border and come up with the following...

There's the area under the Amelanchier which is still bare and looking for ideas for underplanting this (yellow highlighted area). I will probably leave a good portion around the tree bare for a good while as I understand the tree will be thirsty but does anyone have any ideas that might complement the existing planting?

Many thanks,

Ed