What to plant in eye level bed

[HasaDigaEebowai]

We are coming to the end of our kitchen extension project and my main kitchen window will be level with the back lawn. I previously had French lavender planted all along the bed but none of it survived the winter. What would you plant. It’s south facing but we live in woodland so everything is always a big behind. Ideally I want perennials. It’s a long bed (6m)

It depends. Do you want year round interest, so evergreens? Or things that die back? Low maintenance? I've really got into hardy geraniums lately, there's loads of varieties to choose from. Maybe some seasonal bulbs like tete a tete daffodils and species tulips for spring? Helebores in winter?
Russian sage gives you the look of lavender but is hardier. I love it.
If you wanted something that doesn't die back and is easy care, I guess you're looking at shrubs which I generally find a bit dull but they're always 'there' for structure.

I'd plant herbs, nicely convenient for cooking. Rosemary, parsley, thyme, oregano. Some are hardier than others though.

I’ve got a bed which is very visible outside our kitchen window. It’s got a real mix :

• evergreens for year round interest - hebe topiaria, convulvulus cneorum, some evergreen grasses, lavender, rosemary
• spring bulbs - daffodils, tulips, alliums
• a hydrangea
• ground cover phlox, erigeron, armeria
• astrantia, I think?!

Presumably there is a terrace or something below the bed? Can you have some things trailing down the wall so they will be visible from your window too?