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

[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.