If I want a garden like this what plants do I need?

[Navy0]

I have a large-ish bed to fill approx 7.5 x 1.5m and I'd like to have it look something like the attached pictures.

It's clay soil and half of it is partial shade the other half is mostly shade.

I know that I definitely want agapanthus and aliums, maybe lavender. I seem to be much better at finding the standing out plants and not sure what lower greenery might be needed. What other plants do I need and would it be possible for it to be relatively low maintenance?

Thank you!

Unfortunately, the plants you want (agapanthus, allium and lavender) are all sun lovers and wouldn't do well in a shady area. The pics you posted also show areas that I would guess are in full sun. You would be best to search google for shade plants, such as this site ( there are many others) and try to find similar plants that would be more suitable in your conditions.

I would try catmint for the purple instead of lavender which won't like shade.
I'm fairly sure catmint can grow in partial shade.
Sweet alyssum is white, VERY floriferous, strongly scented and has grown well for me in my clay soil in different locations.

Watching with interest, I love the pictures you've posted.

Blue aquilegia for spring.
Geranium Rozanne, Orion or Johnson's blue.
Pulmonaria.
Bluebells
Snowdrops
Ferns
White daffodil eg ice wings
Viburnum carlesii if you want a shrub
Voilas, probably planted annually as easier in clay
Big leaf hydrangea eg Annabelle
Oak leaf hydrangea
Alchemilla
Campanula
Primula dawn ansell
Some Siberian iris eh flight of butterflies

All these will cope with shade. They do in my garden, anyway. Iris like some sun.

I'm loving the purple, green and white theme. Might steal the idea myself.

Thanks for all these ideas. Off to do some more Googling. I'm loving the RHS website, are there any other great gardening websites?