gravel garden

[JustJam4Tea]

We've had new paving put down and the builders have, as requested, left a border gap by a wall that gets strong southerly sun for about 8 hours a day in summer and nothing in winter.

There are pipes, drains and an electric cable underneath this new border, so I was thinking of putting down a load of gravel and doing a gravel garden border....anyone any tips? It'll be about 6 inches deep of gravel on top of hardcore/poor soil mix.

Apparently larger gravel deters cats....

I was thinking sedum lemon ball or angelina tea cup. Some verbena bonasieris, grasses that like dry conditions etc

Also maybe a Ceanothus if I can dig down deep enough in one spot.

Do you think this will work?

Do I need to dig down a bit and try and remove some of the hardcore etc and put a bit of soil in. There is soil under there - it's just compacted and mixed with crap.

I'd go for something that doesn't need deep roots - I love Erigeron, would that work?

Ho w wide is the strip?

Violas grow, uninvited in my gravel, self seeded from previous hanging basket plants. They are very pretty.

If it is along beside a wall, tall things will tend to flop over sideways and away from it, so verbena bonariensis might not work too well.

How about herbs?