Help with selecting some plants ....

Hello,

I was wondering if somebody could help me select some plants for a couple of borders. We have a north facing garden which backs onto field and is very open to the elements because we have an open fence. The garden has a large maple in the middle and also a mature Oak Tree in my neighbors garden.

There is a border on the left hand side on an easterly facing fence, which I would quite like to grow some fruit trees along but I'm worried about getting enough light because of the easterly face and the fact that the very early morning sunshine is blocked out by the two trees. I think the fence maybe has sunlight for 2-3 hours a day in late Spring and Summer, maybe a bit more closer to the shed.

Also, on the border in front of the house, this doesn't get a great deal of light, especially on the left hand side. Also, given the cold winds coming off the field I'm really unsure what will survive. I had 2 cordylines from my last property and they lasted all of a couple of weeks. In this border I would really like to get a lot of colour in late Spring and Summer.

Any thoughts and pointers would be appreciated

Thanks, Nick

Apologies for the rough sketch

 

Have you seen the Van Meuwan? offer in Sunday's Mail? My form is off already.

Cheers, Tony.

 

Could you put your location underneath your avatar please, so we know which area/weather patterns we are dealing with. It doesn't need to be specific, your county will do.

Your diagram gives the impression that your garden is wider than it is long, could you give some idea of the size please.

With the wind coming straight across from the field, I'd be inclined to start growing a hedge across the end of the garden to act as a natural wind break for the rest of the garden, it will last longer than a fence too.

Sorry I can't help you with the fruit, they are not my line. Cordylines will suffer in a northerly situation and don't withstand frost very well.

You need to decide what sort of plants you want in the border in front of the house, shrubs, flowers, bulbs etc. before we can help you with a planting plan.

 

Thanks both

Sheal - thanks for the advice and you are right I will update my avatar I'm based in Surrey.

The garden is probably 100ft wide by about 40ft deep

I'm not keen on growing a hedge, it's a good idea but we will then loose the view of the fields and we are on a slight slope upwards away from the house.

I'm honestly not too worried whether we have shrubs, flowers or bulbs. I guess I would prefer shrubs but don't mind too much. I am more worried about light.

Thanks, Nick