been asked to fill a new bed for a friend

[queen of the cobs]

Dear All,

A friend has a new bed in the garden, roughly 70cm wide by about 15 feet - completely empty, light shade, no overhanging trees, but behind a fence which blocks out much of the sun.

They've asked me for some advice and I suggested a clematis montana to run along the fence for a quick win, a few shrubs (Hebe, Euonymus, perhaps a Hypericum) to start filling in the gaps, plus some cheap and colouful plug plants to brighten it up this summer, and bulbs aplenty in the autumn.

Please, do give me lots of suggestions that I can pass off as my own!

[Bigmallly]

Roses ?..Buddlea ?

[veggiechicken]

Fruit bushes and a thornless blackberry along the fence?

[queen of the cobs]

thanks, such a quick response!

They've already got a buddleia, and I've suggested some raspberries, so it's good to know we are thinking along the right lines.

Please keep suggestions coming. x

[zazen999]

Elderberry Black Lace and a Black Grape - then she can make her own Elderberry and Grape wine, which is a rather splendid brew.

[VirginVegGrower]

Sarcococca for scent and they tolerate shade. Hellebores for under planting with your bulb idea. Some daphnes tolerate semi shade also.

[chris]

It might be worth pointing out to your friend that the fence can cause rain shade - so they may need to water whilst the plants are young and not established yet!

[queen of the cobs]

It might be worth pointing out to your friend that the fence can cause rain shade - so they may need to water whilst the plants are young and not established yet!

A very good point and one I'll be sure to mention to them.

They've killed everything i've given to them so far, so i've said I'll bring a few things on for them and give them to them when they are a bit more established.