We extended a flowerbed across the full width of the garden in January - about 10m long, 80cm deep. Some plants were already well established and I relocated some others. Each main fence post has a climber, which are mostly doing well. I've added a few perennials, but didn't have the budget to fill it completely so I also used a lot of bulbs and seeds. I definitely underestimated how many plants I would need to make it look nice and full.
It gets full sun from sunrise until about 5pm. Soil is heavy clay but we are regularly topping up the bed with topsoil and compost. We are in Scotland so plenty of water....
When the annuals and the bulbs die back, I think there are going to be some large gaps and I'd like to start planning what to fill them with! Ideally, easy perennials or nice evergreens. I'd like some ground cover/spread as well as some height. I would ideally like it to look fairly full for much of the year, with a variety of flowers at different times.
If it makes a difference, I'm very much an enthusiastic novice with limited time for weeding and maintenance!
Current plants:
2 large pieris (around 5 foot tall, I cut back the lower branches to keep it growing upwards). I like that they are evergreen.
1 magnolia, currently about 5 foot tall. Yet to flower.
1 honeysuckle
3 clematis
1 star jasmine
Photinia Red Robin (still small but growing well)
Lavatera (replaced one that didn't survive the work so small, but I know it will be huge next year)
Buddleia
3 Salvia
1 Astilbe
1 Skimmia
1 Acer
1 Choisya
1 Heuchera
1 Hosta
1 Bougainvilla which appeared t have died immediately but has just resurrected itself!
I have 2 hydrangeas that I've grown in pots this year which I'll plant in the bed next year. I'd normally have lavender too, but they also didn't survive the move)