Builders have trampled on the Osteospermum

Osteospermums don't always survive the winter, unless they're in a sheltered spot, and it's not a good idea to cut them back now, but I would remove any trampled stems - they'll die off anyway, so you've got no choice. Same with the lavender, really - not a good time to cut, but if there's any bits destroyed, trim them off, then give the lavender a good trim back in the spring, if it makes it.

I plant new Osteospermums-pink fizz each year as it doesnt seem to over winter well in my garden. They are very easy to raise from seed.

Just remember not to cut the lavender back into old borwn wood, make sure that there are a few strong shoots where you are cutting back too.

This is just an amazing gardening community (sorry, not a very nice phrase, but you know what I mean). Thank you, that's very helpful. Pink fizz sounds nice, I want to add some ligter coloured pink ones as the ones I have are a deep pink. I didn't realise they don't over-winter - there's a garden nearby which has a profusion every year so I naively thought they were perennial. My front garden is my 'less is more' bit where things which don't need much feeding etc go in as it is stepped, east facing and already had felt with gravel over the top before we moved in. The lavenders seem very happy, as do the Osteospermums (Osteosperma?!) and of course the mexican daisies, though I don't think even builders could destroy them! Any ideas for the area gratefully received - must be low growing so as not to block the light. Thank you again for the very valuable advice.

Don't give up on the osteospermum yet, they often do survive if they're a bit sheltered, we have some here that have been in place for 6 years.

I took cuttings of my Osteospermums in the summer and have them overwintered in my mini greenhouse, no harm in trying a few cuttings and potting them up indoors, a couple of cuttings - nothing to lose.

Pieris would do well in an east facing position - choose a variegated leafed one, they're very slow growing. Also check out Geraniums (not Pelargoniums, the summer bedding drumstick flower, but actual Geraniums, common name Cranesbill).Liriope has grass like leaves all year (variegated version too) and short spikes of mauve/purple flowers in Autumn. Skimmia too is worth a look, and Sarcoccoca hookerani is a small evergreen shrub with scented flowers in winter.

i always take osteospermum cuttings, just incase, and bring the 'parent plant' into the greenhouse to protect it from the worst of the frosts. I have one that stays outside all year, the rest are a little too tender.

I've got Osteospermum jucundum - it's the only one that's reliably hardy. I've tried others, like 'Tresco Purple' and 'Pixie' - not forgetting 'Weetwood' and 'Helen Dimond'......all died. The O. jucundum spreads by rootong itself.

Thank you so much!