Which plants to choose

We have a smallish triangular shaped piece of garden in the front at the side of the drive.
Size , each side measuring about 4 foot.
Nothing much grows there I have tried many things over the years.
Plants that have done well in in back garden just don't thrive there.
I've changed the soil fed them everything.
So I have now admitted defeat and have decided to put some plum coloured slate down.:flag:
I would like a few evergreens grasses etc to go in .
Something that can thrive in poor soil and defeat this piece of garden.
LOL
Any ideas.

 

I have a piece at the back of my drive where nothing grew, i have now got several pots there,with a variety of plants surviving just, as it is tucked behind the bungalow and only gets sun in the height of summer,
What i found it mainly was ,was exhaust fumes ,as my O.H. had an old Merc he used to run the engine of , i got rid of it ,

 

Lyn, is it a very shady and/or dry spot?

 

No it's not dry or shady.
It might be the fumes as it is near to the road although it's a quiet side road.
Or maybe the tarmac

 

Stick a Buddleia in there, they'd survive WWIII. Or maybe annuals in summer and bulbs for Spring?

I can't see how it could be the fumes, otherwise everyone living in suburban areas would have the same issue.

Maybe there is not enough space - how deep down does the soil go?

 

It's as deep as you want to go.
I have tried annuals , just took them out as they were a sorry state.
I don't want anything as big as a Buddleia,just something neat and tidy.
I think I might try some small different coloured grasses in slate.
My friend as said she sees cats on there a lot so the slate might stop them, could be them killing everything
The weeds grow great in there LOL

 

Grasses sounds like a good idea.

 

The shrubbery next to it seems to be going well

 

If you've changed the soil and tried just about everything else, then it's got to be something that's going on to the soil and since your neighbours' plants seem to be growing well, I'm wondering whether the 'problem' could be (urban) foxes? We had a vixen and 3 cubs who liked to use a bit of our garden as a loo - we had no idea why nothing would grow there, until we spotted them one day. A quick trip to the garden centre and some Wild Animal Repellent (harmless to pets - except fish I believe) dealt with the problem.

 

Yes I think your right.
Although I do think it's the cats.
I have put some slate down and hope that will stop them using it as their toilet.
If not I will have to put a repellant down.
I'm off to get some plants to try again tomorrow.
Fingers crossed LOL

 

If it is the cats, then something very spikey and unappealing might be the order of the day!