On 2009-05-11 14:41:41 +0100, bob said:

I wouldn't start from here if I had a choice but to dismantle what's
there - remove the gravel and the stone border and replace with a
lawned area - has implications for the rest of the garden which I lack
the resources to undertake.

Here's a pic of it. It's about 10 x 1.5 metres.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/v...F2040-crop.jpg

The previous owners obviously liked it looking a bit formal and I've
done nothing yet to change it other than neglect it.

snip

Sorry Bob but where do you live? Climate conditions will make a
difference to suggestions given. My apologies if you've already told
us that and I've missed it! I see some ferns in there so is it a
shady spot or is it mainly sun or half and half. Which way does it
face? Is it under a window and if not, why does height have to be
restricted to 1m?
A quick suggestion would be for Sarcoccas to give intense winter scent
and they get to about 1m. Some of the shrubby Clematis might be nice
for you, too. Hardy Fuchsias, perhaps? Grasses have a nice 'airy' and
flowing feel to them. Personally, I'd avoid roses because it seems as
if you'd be looking at bare twigs for most of the year. Can you pave
the gravel area and perhaps get some water into the middle of it? And
if you can, leave some square gaps between the paving stones and plant
low-growing herbs like thyme and lemon balm in there for colour, scent
and informality. If the gravel is laid on a membrane, you *might* be
able to do that by cutting holes in the membrane and sticking plants in
- it does rather depend on how good, or bad, the soil is under the
gravel. You can underplant with little bulbs like the beautiful little
Narcissus Tete a Tete.
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Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials
South Devon