Shallow flower bed

[Colette]

I have a small back garden - 2/3 covered in ugly slabs (future project costing too much £ at the moment ). Running down side of the garage is a flower bed that I have haphazardly filled with cuttings, seeds and spring bulbs.TBH it is a mess except for some pink mallow and perenial sweetpeas that I have pared right back. .

I decided to dig it up (except for mallow , sweetpeas and a few lupins) and add potting compost .after a lot of digging I have found it is really shallow eg. less than a foot to brickwork base. So I'm not sure if I should treat it like a big pot ? I'm amateur , lived in a flat previously and don't have loads of time but really enjoy looking out at some colour .
It is in sun part of the day and taller plants tend to lean away from the garage. We are in Scotland as well !
I can try and add a picture if that would help. Would love advice on soil, what plants to put in .
thanks

[Colette]

Please see photo of dry unloved flowerbed with attractive slug trails

[Colette]

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[Colette]

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[JT05]

As it's the garage and not the house ( I'm assuming it's detached from the house ) you could treat it like a raised bed and put a stone, brick or sleeper surround and infill with compost.

Obvious not a good idea if it's part of the house with a damp course. Other than that, low growing ground covering plants. If you put in some eracacious compost you could plant heathers.

[Colette]

Thanks JY05.yes it is freestanding. hasn't thought of building up the sides, like that idea.
Think I will put some ground covering plants initially. Front garden soil is acidic I think, could mix some of that in with compost ? Thanks for the ideas

[redhat]

Don't build it up beyond the DPC line though otherwise you could have problems.

[JT05]

Posted but it seems to have vanished! Here goes again.

As its not part of the house you could put a moisture barrier (plastic) at the back so the garage wall does not get wet.

I would not use front garden soil, as you are in danger of transferring weeds. Garden centres have bags of soil improver and eracacious compost at about £6 for 40 litres.

[Colette]

Thanks for advice re transferring buddleia- and plant suggestions, have enough battles in front garden with them already. interesting re.buddleia- dug full size buddleia out as was taking over, I didn't know you could get dwarf ones.

[Colette]

Sorry meant 'transferring soil'

[Colette]

Thanks , they would look good with the geraniums too .quite excited now !