The experts' suggestions

[girlyswot]

So, my question was indeed duly asked and answered on GQT today. Here's what they suggested:

Pippa Greenwood: Silver-leaved pear; any of the Malus trees; winter aconites.

Anne Swithinbank: Suggested a 'woodland feel': Magnolia tree; yew; honeysuckle; Lenten hellebores, snowdrops, narcissi, pulmonarias.

Matthew Biggs: Didn't quite get the 'low-maintenance' part of the question and suggested containers with things like rhododendrons and camellias. I don't think I'll be doing that.

Comments

[nundu-art.livejournal.com]

I like Anne's suggestions. I love all those plants and they would soften the edges of the building and be very low maintenance. (I'm all about low maintenance when it comes to gardens!)

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I heard it! I liked the silver-leaf pear or crab-apple idea; neither would get too big for you. The rhododendrons in containers: no! I think they look awful and as you say, not low maintenance. I bet you end up with something like Anne Swithinbank's scheme. I like her; she knows her stuff and has common sense.
They didn't give you enough time!

[amamama.livejournal.com]

I like both Pippa's and Anne's suggestions. I would probably add a few hardy perennials and loads of bulbs, to have as long a blooming season as possible. I don't remember the light conditions - is it shady? Variegated pulmonaria (because I imagine there are green-leaved ones too) look great in shade, their silvery spots really lights up.