Border Suggestions?

Hi all, looking for a little inspiration from you all. We've got some raised beds/borders, which I'm filling with soil which I'm digging from the driveway elsewhere. I've got my veg patch, which I'm happy doing, but we need a bit of colour, bear in mind this border is surrounding the patio. A rough MSPaint drawing:



Now, I'm planning on using the patio for socialising, so it kind of rules out something that looks nice but smells... awful. I'd like to be able to plant a lot of stuff out, and then don't worry about it so much, so don't mind planting out ready for all year round interest. My other half has got some bluebells, and the mini daffodils, but short of ideas other than these. It's a slightly acidic soil, and the garden is on a slight incline, so it will be kept well watered with water finding the lowest level, but it is well drained too. Any ideas appreciated

Thanks folks

 

Looks like you need fragrant plants then - Phlox, Lavender, Evening Primrose, Sweet William, Pinks, Hyssop, etc, etc. And if you have room for Sweet Peas to grow up a trellis, then they are a must too.

Most of these are Spring/Summer flowering, so perhaps add a few more bulbs this autumn for early Spring interest as well.

 

Thanks, are they hardy enough for Lancashire weather? I have a pack of sweet pea seeds, and going to plant them once I have a trellis set up. Would like a pergola for them to grow up one day, but we'll have to see

 

You need another member here, Lollipop, a fellow Lancastrian. I know she grows these sort of plants (cottage garden) including Peonies (another scented perennial, but a tad more 'difficult'). With decent protection from a harsh winter, there's no reason for them not to survive.

You can always supplement with scented annuals until you decide properly.

 

tobacco plant, they smell divine.

 

A favorite of mine is Centranthus ruber - a perennial. Its pretty, very hardy and flowers for up to 5 months of the year. Its also drought tolerant - so will be forgiving if you forget to water. Catmint - Nepeta faassenii - is another long flowering, drought tolerant perennial.

Other long flowerers are three hardy Geraniums - 'Patricia', 'Rozanne' and 'Ann Folkard'. There are some pictures on this thread. http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/hardy-geranium-recommendationi-t16082.html