New flower bed

I am going to dig a new flower bed along the front of the conservatory about 18" wide. DW insists that she can see the flowers from inside the conservatory, but not so high we can't see up the garden.

It is south facing. Dahlias would be ideal, but we already have a bed in the front in which dahlias do well. I would get bored seeing the same thing every year so perhaps annuals would be the best idea.

It may be good to have a row of something small in front of the larger flowers, perhaps portulacas.

Has anyone any ideas for this.

 

Asters? Two feet high.

 

That position in Kent is going to be hot and dry - ideal for a vine to trail up each end and meet in the middle and they would give a lot of summer shade without spoiling the view. Perhaps one red and one white variety!

Poppys should do well in your wee border and don't forget to add a few tulips. They love being baked once they have flowered.

 

My late father grew roses in just such a position and they did very well - combine them with pinks and lavender, and the scent should be mmmmmmmmm.

 

OK just trying to be different, but how about training a euonemus round the wall and grownig a clematis through it. this would give you all round colour with the ecergreen, an early and spring clematis with a few daffs for spring colour.