• 0
  • Welcome to the Garden Ninja Gardening Forum! If you have a gardening question that you can't find answers to then ask below to seek help from the Garden Ninja army! Please make your garden questions as specific and detailed as possible so the community can provide comprehensive answers in the online forum below.

    Welcome to the ultimate beginner gardening and garden design forum! Where no gardening question is too silly or obvious. This online gardening forum is run by Lee Burkhill, the Garden Ninja from BBC 1's Garden Rescue and a trusted group of experienced gardeners.

    Whether you are a beginner or an expert gardener, it's a safe place to ask garden-related questions for garden design or planting. If you have a problem in your garden or need help, this is the Garden Forum for you!

    Garden Ninja forum ask a question

    Posting Rules: This space is open for all garden-related questions. Please be polite, courteous and respectful. If you wouldn't say it to your mum's face, then don't post it here. Please don't promote, sell, link spam or advertise here. Please don't ask for 'cheeky' full Garden redesigns here. They will be deleted.

    If you need a garden design service, please use this page to book a design consultation. I will block anyone who breaks these rules or is discourteous to the Garden Ninja Community.

    Join the forum below with your gardening questions!

    Please or Register to create posts and topics.

    What to plant next to neighbouring hedge

    Hi there! Looking for suggestions of what to plant down the left side of our front garden path. Plan is to remove the grass here and plant something all the way down. There is a neighbouring hedge so we want something that's going to cover it eventually as we're not keen on it. This area gets full sun most of the day. Total beginners so something hardy! Only thought I have had so far is conifers. But not sure. Thank you in advance! 😊

    Uploaded files:
    • Screenshot_20230817_121526_Gallery.jpg
    • Screenshot_20230817_121332_Gallery.jpg

    Hi @emmasboo

    Thanks for this question. It's a common one of what to do with a strip of lawn on a boundary.

    My first idea would be to create a gorgeous mixed flower bed which will not only make your home look really inviting but will help wildlife too.

    I wouldn't plant conifers as they are fast-growing, cause all sorts of shade problems as they get bigger and will dry out that bed in no time leading to your path probably shifting and wobbling slightly as the soil dries out. They are also a pain to prune as they don't regenerate from old wood, so if you cut back too much, they are left brown forever! 

    Embrace next doors hedge and compliment it with a lovely flower bed instead would be my advice! Watch the video below to see how even a tiny garden can be turned into a lush, vibrant border with some careful plant choices.

    If you want more help on plant design why not book one of my one hour online consultation sessions to really set your garden apart from the neighbours?

    All the best

    Lee

    Online garden design courses

    Share this now!