Hi Pintsized,
Thanks for getting back to me with that information!
So what you want to look for are evergreens and hardy perennials, shrubs and grass. Below is a list of the plants that should fare well through the colder months. Before planting your beds, make sure to mix in a decent amount of fertilizer and/or manure and remove any sticks or rocks that may be mixed in the soil. After planting, lay down a layer of mulch on top of the soil around the plants. This will keep the soil moist and minimize weed growth. Also, if you are interested, Homebase sells a fabulous product called Garden On a Roll. It comes with a border design, the plants and advice on how to plant, water and care for your new garden. I would highly suggest looking into the Evergreen package. It would do lovely in your garden year-round! It is perfect for the beginniner gardner and they really do turn out lovely. Check it out here:
http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=110&storeId=10151&partNumber=179212
Hardy border plants:
Thymus citriodorus 'Golden Queen'
Helleborus argutifolius
Euphorbia wulfenii
Elymus magellanicus
Yucca gloriosa
Phillyrea latifolia 'Green Olive'
Osmanthus x burkwoodii
Skimmia 'Kew Green'
Sarcococcas
Buddleja 'Nanho Blue'
dianthus
Snowdrops and Crocus - will bloom late winter
Dogwood
Pyracantha
Cotoneaster
Holly
Carex morrowii 'Fisher's Form'
Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postill'
Helleborus x hybridus 'Harvington Smokey Blues'
Erica x darleyensis f. albiflora 'Silberschmelze'
Erica erigena f. aureifolia 'Irish Dusk'
Microbiota decussata
Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Spire'
Heuchera 'Obsidian'
Hamamelis x intermedia 'Livia'
Helleborus foetidus
Iris foetidissima
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb'
Erica carnea 'Challenger'
Cornus alba 'Sibirica'
Helleborus x hybridus 'Harvington red'
Helleborus niger 'White Christmas'
If you are having a hard time finding these plants, you can always take a trip to your local Homebase and ask one of our associates which winter thriving plants they have in stock. Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions!
Laurel
Happy Gardening!
The Get into Gardening Team
