CitroJim's Citroens

[captainhaddock]

heather is also non expensive and very low if no maintenance. I got some years ago and never looked at it again. Cover it with nice pebbles/rocks but do use suitable peat (with lime in it so I believe) Looks nice and is good for the bees

[CitroJim]

I like the idea of heather although I'm not sure the soil round here will be good for growing it but I guess there’s varieties that will work..

An idea I've had is soft fruit like blackcurrants, gooseberries, raspberries and so on but don't know how practical it might be.

I'm thinking I can eat those and anything I can grow and eat might be good. Also, what about some small cherry trees?

Is soft fruit a lot of trouble or might it do what I'm after?

[captainhaddock]

ha I thought you wanted no if less possible maintenance garden Jim! All that soft fruit is a nice idea, you' will need some garden scissors from time to time ha ha. For heather you'll just have to buy a one off number of bags of special soil, cover it with anti weed stuff and finish it with any given colour nice gravel! Small cherry trees: dunno, do you have any sun shine back there! But soft fruits isn't a lot of trouble really, apart from it usually being eaten by black birds before you get a chance..

[russ92xmsed]

I agree Jaap, soft fruit trees might be more trouble than you want Jim. They make a hell of a mess too, especially when everything drops in the autumn.

Heather, ferns, lavender, plants that need no looking after are the best I would imagine. I'm certainly no gardening expert however!!!!

[CitroJim]

That's just what I needed to know about the soft fruit. That's out then as it sounds like far too much like hard work..

Right, back to looking a heather and ferns then I must pay a visit to a garden centre I think and have a look at what is on offer...

[captainhaddock]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddleja

I like them as well/ not great if you a. hate butterflies or b. if your neighbours are trying to grow veggies But they're low maintenance as well and nice (I think)

[russ92xmsed]

Oh yes the good old buddleja....seems to grow everywhere. Mind you get the white one and keep it clipped, be a good choice.
Your very right Jaap. Butterflies love them.

Getting very green fingered here, and not a drop of LHM either!!!

[CitroJim]

Oh yes the good old buddleja....seems to grow everywhere.

Especially on neglected railways it seems

As I recall they grow like topsy and you really need to keep them in check otherwise they just take over...

Keep the thoughts coming, it's really helpful Heather currently leads the way...

[russ92xmsed]

You think that Jim, but actually if you have one just keeping it pruned will keep it in check. Great thing about them is you can be quite harsh and they'll still grown back.
Maybe pebbles below it will stop seeds and more off shoots from growing.

[CitroJim]

Pebbles Now there's a nice idea Russ