Front garden borders

[TedLasto]

We have just had our front garden landscaped, and I am wondering what to plant in the borders. My first thought is a lavender hedge all the way round, but wondered if anyone could think of anything more exciting? They are 50cm borders. We were thinking mediterranean-y, but not sure it will work in our clay soil. The gardener said lavender should be fine if we put grit in when planting though, so maybe? It's west facing, quite sunny.

Have a look at varieties of Hebe, a mixture would look really attractive. They’re evergreen and easily trimmed to shape.
I’d dig some grit into the soil as a matter of course.

If it is clay you would be better putting organic matter in to improve drainage. The amount of grit you would need to make any difference is huge. I think there was an article in the RHS magazine about it recently. Or maybe it was on gardeners world?

Roses love clay and they would look lovely in amongst the lavender?

just Did our whole front border with heucheras - available in various colours, stay that colour all year round, slugs don’t eat them, frost resistant, drought resistant. …… super easy way to get colour all through winter

Its only 50cm so not a lot of scope for bigger plants. You need a mix of winter interest and summer flowering. Is it 50cm wide all around?

Salvia hot lips is robust and flowers for a long time.

Yes 50cm all the way round, around a gravel square. It's a small front garden on an edwardian terrace. Thankyou for thoughts so far, googling everything!

I would plant rosemary instead of lavender. I have some in my own clay soil garden, and it is very happy.