Gardening novice needs some help

[hatchypomagain]

We've inherited a mess rather than a border. There are huge Leylandii at the back from our neighbours and some red robins, but the front of the bed is just weeds. What can I plant that's low maintenance but will survive ? Not sure how to tell what soil we have?

This is going to be very dry area so things like lavender or grasses that Tolerate dry conditions would be best. Lavender and Stipa Tennuisima make a lovely low maintenance combination.

Google Piet Oudolf or Beth Chatto for dry garden ideas. Once you have planted,, put down a thick layer of gravel around around your plants. Go for the cheap stuff as it will soon be covered by plants. You will have to water quite well this summer but after that it is just a haircut each spring.
In November buy lots of bulbs and plant them in pots. Once you have cut back the Garden in mid Feb place the pots on the gravel to keep it looking colourful.

Once they have finished put them in the shed after foliage has died back and bring them out again next Autumn

Yes that sounds sensible - we've got a couple of azaleas in there as well and a spotty laurel all of which look healthy and well established so it's filling in the gaps as much as I can !

I shop at Crocus for my plants. They seem expensive but are really high quality and they offer a money back guarantee.

Good old perennial ( Cranesbill) geraniums do very well in dry shady conditions. And need the minimum of attention.