Blank canvas garden

[mattyoung]

We have just moved into a new property and we currently have just a lawn. I'm planning to create three small beds, what would be the best type of plants to use for a low maintenance garden?

[kags]

I am a big fan of Hebe's, they are fairly slow growing, very low maintenance and they give you colour all year round. There are loads of different varieties, and they look good mixed in with euonymus and small conifers for variety.

[woofgang]

what kind of soil is it? Have the builders left the topsoil or is it horrible infertile subsoil in the beds? it the soild acid or limey, sandy, humus rich or clay and then sun or shade? loads of things are low maintenance in the right conditions. Ihave rhododendrons and camellias unerplanted with bulbs and do naff all with them but the soil and site are right. Take a look at books or websites before deciding

[woofgang]

sorry about the typos, I am a better gardener than I am a typist, honest