How is it for sun and shade, Snowlisa?

You could opt for a Herbacious border, or combine with this with a few of those summer faves we all adore, dot some of the lovely foliaged small hebes in there for all year round interest some great colours going on with these gems, try and squeeze in a cornus midwinter fire possibly some other cornus too the stem colour is great in the winter, hard pruning each year will keep them looking good in this narrow border, if your neighbour does not mind then you could fix some climbers along the wall to soften it.

good question oji...I was going to say clematis of course!! also Solanum Crispum Glasnevin or the white solanum. Some Fatshedera for the winter...it doesn't mind shade at all and is a lovely evergreen, or the variegated ivy which is so pretty with the big leaves...Hedera Canariensis. Things that grow flat on the wall, leaving space in front for you to plant some herbaceous stuff. ;)

Sorry the third line should incorporate the word Bedding.

As above, depends on your light ... Against a south-facing wall, you can plant just about anything - how about delphinium, with tallest (6') at the back, and down, also hollyhocks, lupins, verbascum, interspersed with some evergreens, if your soil is okay, such as pieris, erysimum, rosemary, hypericum; if your wall is in sun, then plant out some of the taller sunflowers at the back (autumn colours), with the smaller bush teddy bear flowers at the front? The sun flowers will self-seed for the following year. Then there is verbena, buddleja, hardy geraniums for the front, lupins and sweet rocket.

Thanks for your ideas. I have just asked the other half and he says the border is north facing. I have spent the evening searching the web for ideas so I am pleased to have yours. Thanks

Some clems will grow north facing....just check before you buy.

Yes I am with Karen on clematis

Can we see a photo of your area please.

A word about the width (depth) of the border - at 1 metre from front to back, it will be difficult to achieve a layered effect. Even small shrubs like Spiraea and Hebe will spread 3 feet all round as a minimum , which means your plants will be in a row, straight down the border. Careful placing with climbers and 'offset' (not directly in front) plants and interspersed different heights will help, but the best option would be to increase the depth of the border if at all possible.

Too near that wall and they may suffer from draught?

Drought, Drc? Not being sarky, just wondered if that's what you meant rather than draught as in windy...

A good self-climber for a north facing wall is Hydrangea Petiolaris. Will spread out and give good background to other plants. It is, however, not an evergreen, so can look a bit sad in winter. Ivy, and there are lots of good ones, will do the same job and give you a permanent green background.

I think the Fatshedera suggested by someone else is a good idea - its evergreen and tolerates shade well, but does need some support - tends to grow straight up to about 4 feet, but will flop if not supported. There's a variegated version too, which is very nice.

Yes, mine is forever flopping Bamboo. I shall have to get it tied to the wall....oh, and mine is about 6' now, so perhaps they grow a bit taller than you read!

Thanks for your contributions. I could widen the border a bit but the garden is very shallow so need to be careful not to make it too big. I have drawn a plan and if I am very clever I will try and scan and download it so you can get a better idea of my garden.

Yes I meant drought Bamboo LOL as it can be very dry beneath walls.

Snowlisa - you wouldn't need to widen the whole thing - perhaps a curve or three along the length so you can achieve deeper areas...

I have managed to draw a rough plan of my garden and scanned it into my pictures and if I can find out how to do it I will post it for you to have a look at. I have added to the pictures on this website but can't find out how to add it to this thread.

I just had a look in your photos - were it me, I'd get rid of the rose bed, move the pond to the left and nearer the patio and curve the long border at the top in and out to make more planting room. Just a suggestion...

Snowlisa..I think if I remember rightly, you can update your question from your homepage link, click on questions and then on the question you want, and the update button is just below the main body of your question, and then you can add another photo from there...just for future ref. :)