First bed, new garden.

Does it need to be summer flowering? Vigorous evergreen hardy shrub that grows up to about two metres (if you let it) but it is spring blooming. Never noticed bees being especially attracted to mine and I take notice as a bee sting sends me into anaphylactic shock (and I lost my epi-pen years ago!)

Vestia foetida by longk48, on Flickr

Vestia foetida by longk48, on Flickr

Vestia foetida by longk48, on Flickr

Down side? Some people say it smells of cats wee but nobody who had one off me thinks so

 

Spring blooming is fine @longk but I'm not sure about the height and spread. The area is only 3 x 3ft tops. How hardy is it please?

 

Sarcococca would be good by those steps @Sheal . Wonderful scent in the winter, small enough to fit, and it`s tough too for your weather

 

I already have my eye on that for elsewhere in the garden, but thanks Tetters.

 

It's as big as you let it get and it doesn't sucker. Properly hardy here in the Cotswolds which can be antisocially cold!
I have plenty of seed if you want to try it somewhere - very easy from seed. All I would say is to protect it from cold drying winter winds as the flower buds start forming mid winter. Massively underated plant in my opinion.

 

Choisya ternata could be another possibility there - evergreen, tough, scented, and easy to prune.

As an afterthought ...Parthenocissus Henryii behind the Choisya to tart up the wall a bit

 

That will grow too big for the area Tetters but I do like your choice of plants. I will be investing in 'Sundance' at some point as I miss the one in my last garden which I had a soft spot for.

 

I bought a few plants for my still, pretty empty bed today. Link below.

SHOW US YOUR RECENT PURCHASES 2018

The edge of the bed is looking a bit battered having been trampled by a herd of cows yesterday. Surprisingly the few plants that were in there before adding the latest handful managed to survive. The little grassy plant (bottom right) is a Sisyrinchium. The twig by the pipe outlet is marking some just sprouting Kniphofia's ( hot pokers).

 

I would put a parthenocissus henryi in that corner to cover the wall

 

Thanks but it's not an option Tetters. My bedroom window is just above there and I live in a bungalow. I believe they cling too which will damage the stone covering on the walls. I may introduce a climber at some point to the left behind the Geranium but meanwhile will plant tall plants at the back of the bed.