I tried membrane and gravel. Weeds grew in the gravel and sent their roots right through the membrane making their removal all the more difficult. Two weeks ago I removed both the membrane and gravel and weeds. I plan to lay down on this 6'x6 square a piece of AstroTurf and place assorted potted plants on top of it. Setting my difficulties aside, I'm just suggesting that you might not want to consider the use of membrane. It was a total failure anywhere I used it in the garden.

Glad you said that Loosetrife. I really dislike it but didn't like to say. People must think it is labour saving but it can end up being a problem. Astroturf is an interesting idea - let us know how you go on with it?

A friend of ours laid membrane and gravel over her horsetail, but it blasted its way through anyway much to her surprise and dismay. And in some gardens the gravel moves and you can see bare membrane in patches. A roundabout in our town has slate planted up with almeria - looked really lovely for a couple of years but now it is a mess.

Think twice about even a small tree as it would probably become too large in that area. So often you see trees in front gardens that have to be cut down after 10 years or so, which is such a pity. Before planning what to plant you need to think about the colour of the gravel - if you still want to use it, eg perhaps best not to put gold variegated shrubs on brown ground? Perhaps best if you ask again when you know exactly what colour the ground is going to be so people can recomments things with a nice contrast.

I have membrane purple crushed slate and sky whit marble chips and my raised bed and two rocks.

Got rhodies ,skimmia, Christmas box, the black elder forget it's name ,prunus,and Corlopsis.

And its so easy to keep as it was properly weeded before membrane went down not many weeds come through but so easy to pull out.

As for the AstroTurf I hate it there is a garden not far for us have it also with hanging baskets with artificial flowers.

Good luck with your choice as there are many nice shrubs to choose from ,or go around garden centres to see what's in bloom at different times of the year.

And of course there are many nice pots to.

I agree with Scotkat,as we have never had a problem with our gravelled area..maybe just the odd little weed,that has self seeded,where I have spilt a litle soil,from my pots..We ,or should I say,OH,prepared it well with a layer of sand before putting the membrane down,and still looks good after a number of years..I only have a couple of grasses planted in mine,the rest of my plants are in pots..no way,would I go back to a lawn ..

I am in the anti-membrane&gravel camp, also. Why not a heather bed. Well drained acid soil would suit them very well; mixed heathers will provide year-round colour; they are not too tall; easy maintenance and in a couple of years will have choked out any weeds. Just what ou are looking for.

I looked out of the bedroom window of my sister's house yesterday and saw that the neighbour's astro turf lawn was going rusty in large patches, so I don't consider that labour saving.

Weeds will grow near enough anywhere, that is the downside, the upside is my landscaper friend has done membrane before and said to add to two or more layers of it then use enough gravel/slate/woodbark to cover so that when you stick half your hand down your fingers disappear. As to your original question i would do lavender and rosemary, when i was younger my mums rosemary was huge and always smelled nice.

Yes, I did some soul searching before my AstroTurf decision. The area I am about to cover is approximately is by six feet by six feet and I consider it a platform for potted plants not a faux lawn. My wife wanted concrete but I nixed that idea since it is an area that adjoins the house and slopes which complicates matters and also I am well past my concrete handling days.

Ours isn't much bigger,Loosestrife,but Circular.We all have to do our own thing,if it makes life easier,as we get older..I have more than enough to look after ,these days..so it suits me fine.It sounds like a good idea..It's nice to be able to ring the changes with pot plants,and for different seasons..which is how I utilise mine..good luck..:o)

Couple of question - which way does the area face (south, north) and is it open or sheltered from cold winds? Is it sunny or shady? and what part of the UK are you in?

An earlier answer said lavender and that sounds a good idea if your location suits it. Maybe choose one like Munstead or Ashdown Forest that gives a nice bushy shape throughout the winter after you have trimmed them after flowering.

So you pays your money and takes your choice - its a good thing for variety's sake that we don't all want the same thing. I agree re Astroturf but didn't want to pour cold water on everything...
You could plant azaleas (nowadays come under rhododendron) directly into the ground as they would like the acid soil. It would be a lot easier than looking after them in pots. Some euonymus fortunii (yes I know I'm always recommending it!) would also plant through the membrane and be bright and cheerful all year round.

My two penn'orth would be to use gravel that is in keeping with your location and your house - look at the colour of the bricks or source local stone and use lots of it - minimum of 4" deep - 6" if you can afford it - over really well cleared soil.

Also think about access to the house for the window cleaner - walking on deep gravel us difficult, putting up a ladder is a nightmare