Border plant with long flowering period or oherwise "pretty"?

I'm not very good at flowers etc. Any suggestions? Soil is pretty poor, "not always in full sun". A long, very narrow border by a driveway, only 6" to 8" (150mm to 200mm) wide, on the north side of a wall; a wider 3' (900mm) bed on the south side of a fence, but not in direct sun for most of the day. I have previously grown pot marigolds, but they did not do spectacularly well and did not flower for very long.

I can buy plants an a nursery, they don't have to be started now from seed..

 

I'd consider some herbs, certainly in the sunniest spots, lavenders have good foliage when not in slower, there a range of varigated thymes, sages and oreganos available. Rosemary looks nice and has a long flowering period. Decorative salvias are also a possibility; look for the hardier ones, some are herbaceous perrenials others are shrubby.

 

Dwarf Dahlias in a similar situation do well for us, usually stocked by garden centers , though getting a bit late for any annuals,.

 

One thing I'd mention is that I always found pot marigolds go on for a long time, whatever you plant you may well have to dead head regularly if you want a continuation of flowers.

 

Are you dead set on flowers?

Coleus is usually an indoor plant but it does fine outdoors over summer and autumn.

Or if you want to go for something edible, rainbow chard, or 'chard bright lights' has gorgeous foliage.

Both will be fine in part shade.

 

Thanks various. Whateveer it is needs to be a flower, possibly annual, bright and breezy, that will be up and going fast, and last until I sell the house! A bit late for pot marigolds perhaps. I could go to the nursery on Monday I suppose, but they're not going to want to talk, being busy growing stuff. A couple of months to go. Even bare, tilled earth with the various shrubs and things would have to do if it's too late even for "quickies".

Saw about £750-worth of lavender at Aldi baking dry in the heat a couple of days ago. Not nice to see.

 

I have to sell my mum's house, where I have done quite a lot of gardening over the years. It is important that the garden, especially at the fromnt, looks nice, so I am working at it. I will probably go to the nursery to see what they have, since its getting late now. My own house and small allotment will need working on too! It's ever so dry right now. Rain was rumoured. No show.

 

First thing before buying plants, get some chicken manure or growmore into the soil before planting the new plants. Mulch so they dont get frazzled in this great weather we're having.

 

Yes, that's the thing. "What?" is the question; I'm off to the nursery to have a look.