I have an area of approx 7/8 metres by 1 metre in my front garden (alongside the grass) which I usually put bedding plants in. Has anyone got any suggestions of what I could plant there instead as I'm getting a bit fed of the same thing every year and watering them every night is a bit of a pain too!! I did think of some azalea's?
Thank You
agree hebes, sarcococca is good as is pernettya. lavender if it is sunny and fairly well drained, add some dwarf conifers perhaps or some box balls for structure Azaleas are boring once the flowering stops
Dwarf lilac is worth it for the smell, some of the smaller spireas like goldflame for the spring foliage, pieris, also how about some climbers up obelisks for interest... the less vigorous roses and clematis
For a focal plant there is lycestra which branches out and flowers then has its 'fruit type berries' .which the starlings love to eat when ripe, and the best thing is when it finishes in late autumn you cut it down to the ground! So low maintenance its amazing.
Japanese azaleas - especially Satsuki. Gorgeous at about this time of year.
Mulch the ground with ericaceous compost and water with dilute Miracid if your soil is not already suitable.
May have to put frost protection over them in the hardest of winter weather though.