Perennial flowers for border

one suggestion to throw out there, to add, SHORT type hydrangeas, among other perennials you select. I have this short one, and it only grows to 4 foot, love it. to me its like a perennial. So a few of those. The other suggestion to keep in mind leaf color, lime green, or variegated leaves are nice eye catcher. and don't forget purple leaves. Tall grasses with color, is lovely.

There is also the idea, if you want to plant for butterflies, selecting plants for that is interesting.

 

I know slugs had a good munch last year but try dahlias again? Peony, lilies, heuchera, perennial cornflower, coreopsis, cordylines, aubrieta, bergenia, begonias..?

 

From the photo Woo the trench looks quite narrow? Unless you are planning on hard edging it on the grass side I could see trying to mow said grass could be tricky if you have lots of plants over hanging the grass. Maybe something like Flag Iris would be ok as they don't spread out and their leaves go skywards!
What I would do would be to get rid of all the grass and grow lots of nice big foliage perennial plants but then grass to me is only good for feeding animals and playing sport on. To get the perfect lawn is a huge task and nigh on impossible unless you spend every waking hour at it and have perfect drainage Ph etc! My "lawn" ha ha (nothing like lawn) is going to supply every bird within a 100 mile radius with moss for theirnest building. Do you use moss for your nests Woo!? Oh wait a minute you may need the grass for the 4 legged members of your family?

 

How about looking at alpines Woo? They wont grow too tall and flop onto the lawn but they will provide colour and interest and "spill" over the wall a little, the odd boulder or two added here and there would complete it.

Steve...

 

There's Lavender, Lupins, Sedum (Ice plant), Geranium and.....would you get away with these @wiseowl, ground cover roses?

 

Love the lavender suggestion, would it make the clothes on the line smell too?

 

Are you looking to create a profusion of different colours or something more subtle with maybe two or three colour combinations Woo?

 

Only if the clothes brushed it Linz. The bees would love it too and the Sedum.

Sedum

 

As long as the wind is going the right direction.

 

I was thinking damp bed sheets taking the scent in, would be lovely!