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Can anyone suggest a perennial for the front of the border that is bombproof?

(12 Posts)
teabagwoman Mon 10-Oct-22 21:08:37

I’m a useless gardener and am now struggling with arthritis and lack of sight so plants in my garden really do need to be bombproof. Can anyone suggest a perennial please, to edge the border between the patio and the rest of the garden. The border is south facing, the soil is neutral, very heavy clay, and the plants also have to survive drought and being trampled by pigeons. Is there such a plant??

Patsy70 Mon 10-Oct-22 21:22:13

Nandina Domestica.

RichmondPark1 Mon 10-Oct-22 21:28:58

Alchemilla Mollis and Erigeron karvinskianus are reliable, pretty edgers which spill over to soften edges and if they're happy will seed around freely filling spaces and surviving pigeon attack.

Fleurpepper Mon 10-Oct-22 21:29:51

Sedum

SpringyChicken Mon 10-Oct-22 21:43:23

Geranium sanguineum

25Avalon Mon 10-Oct-22 21:53:35

Alstroemeria will flower from June to October but dies back in the winter. Erigeron Karvinskianus is apt to take over but very pretty. You could try lavender which keeps it’s leaves which smell of lavender in winter and has the flowers in summer. It will need a light pruning when it’s finished flowering.

MayBee70 Mon 10-Oct-22 21:59:04

I don’t think anybody can plan for anything anymore…we have to plan for every eventuality. Eg are we still supposed to be saving water? I assume we are and I do anyway because of my water meter.

MayBee70 Mon 10-Oct-22 22:04:04

Sorry wrong thread…am flitting again. Having said that it may cover this one as well: plants that survive heatwaves, drought, frost, plagues of locusts….

teabagwoman Tue 11-Oct-22 19:11:42

Thank you all for your suggestions. I’ve ordered the Erigeron as my garden could do with something pretty and there are plenty of spaces for it to seed into. MayBee I agree with your sentiments and yes I reckon it does cover gardening too.

Caleo Tue 11-Oct-22 19:29:32

Euonymus especially the silver variegated small leaved variety. It's evergreen and vigorous but tolerates severe pruning. Can even accept a little shade

Mikkima Tue 11-Oct-22 22:07:37

Aquilegia are doing well in my clay soil without much attention. They come in several colours and grow in shade also. Only problem is they can self-seed and you may not want that. They may also be a little tall for the position you mention but worth considering

J52 Tue 11-Oct-22 22:15:44

Low growing Hebes are evergreen with white or purple flowers.
They are tough little plants.