Will anything survive if I dig a bed here?

[GinAndOnIt]

I'm beginning to think I'm anti-grass with the amount I seem to be ripping up lately

I was thinking of planting lavender on both sides of this path just as far down as the step, with maybe some daffodils planted too. But now I'm wondering if it would look good to have the whole left hand side as a border behind the lavender. My worry is the leylandii. Will anything survive in this area where the leylandii is probably sucking up all the moisture? It does get full sun though.

I really want some plants with big leaves (like a hosta maybe) - is there anything like that which could survive in a dry bed?

Oh, the other worry is trimming the hedge and presumably having to try and clear up the hedge cuttings from the bed below!

How about some big tubs with hostas etc. You are right about the leylandii taking all of the goodness out of the soil. If you have tubs you could move them for hedge cutting

That's not a bad idea, especially the idea of moving them to trim the hedge. I can't picture it though, will it look a bit funny having a row of pots?

Hi I've got some lavender edges paths, and they're lovely in the summer, but look a bit dull in the winter. Also need a lot of cutting back.

I agree that pots would be great here.

I've got Acanthus www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/6.shtml growing under a privet hedge where it is poor soil and dry so that might work .It has big leaves ,but mine do get eaten by slugs plus dies down in winter ..

I think pots would look good. You could get rid of the grass too and put down gravel. I've done that and I grow some plants in the gravel