Narrow border under window

[Littlelemonposset]

Am looking to tap into the hive mind! I have a very narrow (6”) border in front of my bungalow. I can’t extend it as there is a concrete path in front. It’s in full sun all day but when it rains it gets very wet as the water pours down from the hill next to it which obviously I can’t change either. I’m looking to do something with it that needs very little maintenance without costing a fortune, ideally not over £100. Any suggestions anyone? Doesn’t even have to be planted just more than an empty bark filled border. TIA

It sounds like a gap that should be filled with gravel to allow excess water to drain away and shouldnt be filled with plants?

How long is the flowerbed? Could you put some narrow raised beds in there or a series of troughs?

I'm currently favouring the plastic troughs from Aldi with a hidden reservoir in the base (£3.99) as it saves me from watering non-stop.

A bottomless raised bed would allow for extra root volume and contact with beneficial soil microbes etc but would still require a fair bit of watering in hot spells.
I've seen very narrow raised beds made from decking boards - you can always paint them up to complement the exterior of your home.

Normal planters without a reservoir have a tendency to dry out very quickly in full sun. The height of a reservoir trough or raised bed ought to protect the contents from hillside flooding

Or you could cover the area with weed membrane and apply gravel or slate chippings. Or a combination of all of the above

Could you put some narrow raised beds in there or a series of troughs? No! You'd be in danger of bridging the damp proof course.

Thanks bilbodog. Gravel would be ideal but as it runs the whole width of the the front building I worry it might just look a bit bland or soulless? Thanks Gareth (), I like the idea of a raised bed from decking - don’t want to have to keep watering troughs (the thing is, I keep forgetting and things keep dying which is too expensive now!). Just need something that is hard to kill and doesn’t grow much!

Lavender could be good in a raised trough if it gets lots of sun. I didn't suggest it first off due to the minor flooding issue but if it's raised up and planted in a free draining soil (mix sand/vermiculite into the planting medium to improve drainage). Rosemary and other Mediterranean-type plants could fare well too.

Cut lavender back almost to the woody stems at the end of the season to stop it going leggy. It will grow back green in the spring.

Thanks everyone

Sempervinums might work there. On the Gardeners World programme in April, man had those in his gully and it looked really effective. I think you can still see it on Iplayer. It was the man who had a jungle in his tiny garden