my small border is stressing me out...

Someone told me gardening was fun, hmm I'm inclined to disagree. I tried to make a start yesterday, this is where it was at:





mostly covered in moss, with a few plants coming through.

I've cleared off most of the moss, but there a few plants that might be plants or might be weeds (pics to follow after lunch) the ground is quite hard, stony and sandy, lots of roots.

I'm in rented and basically have the leave it (as a minimum) in the state it is in above.

There are a few plants in there already but died off very quickly:

Tulips
Ceanothus
hyacinth
grape hyacinth
primula


some other plant which i have no idea.

but I want to make it look nice for me as our large lounge window looks out on to in.

I have no idea where to start, any advice?If you would like any other pics let me know.

 

so from left to right this is my border as of 2nd June 2013 (sorry about the window reflections):

 

also is this a plant or weed?

the oval leaf bit i'm looking at, think i've got regular grass growing through it as well.

 

the grass is about 80% moss, I'm sick of the sight of moss its everywhere.

Something that is there all year round, not necessarily in flower but something to look at.

Looking at doing it on a budget as I am in rented so I could be moving in a year.

 

tough love is good, I am terrible with plants I've got a spider plant which used to be at home but I bought it to work as the girls remember to water it better than I did./do.

 

sounds ideal.

Since the garden is level with the lounge window sill, (i can water the border through the window) i'm keen to have it looking at least green if not other colours all year round.

 

Is it quite shaded? I would guess so if it's very mossy. Some Azaleas or dwarf Rhododendrons would look good there in spring (and are evergreen).

If you get sunshine on the border for a large portion of the day you could plant some miniature roses, which you can get quite cheaply in supermarkets (the ones they sell as indoor Roses, which are usually several stems in the same pot so can be split out) or some other sort of patio Roses. I'm guessing if you are renting you won't want to spend a lot of money on it.

Shame you're in Surrey as I have a few plants you could have had.

Alternatively, you could cover the area with bark chippings and buy some large pots to plant up with a variety of plants which you could then take with you when you move.

 

it gets sun most of of the day as its south/south west facing.

Huh really, wouldnt have thought about planing those little roses outside, they are lovely but I have a habit of either under or over watering them as house plants.

Not planing to spend much but the border is only about 3m by 1m so not much to fill.

Thanks for the very kind gesture.

I've got a couple of pots which i'm putting down,also planning to put some pots at the top end of the garden where the confiers have starved the grass.

 

Guildford area.

 

it is pretty solid.