What to plant along the sides of a boardwalk?

[RoyKentFanclub]

We have a boardwalk deck that joins our patio to the pond. The ground is fairly dry. The deck is raised by about 25cm and is 6m long by 1.5m wide.

I want to plant along the sides to soften it. Ideally in a blue, purple, pink, white palette (although the pond is a wildlife pond and there is every colour in there). What would you plant? Ideally not annuals since I have a large garden to sort out so I’m trying to put in things that will come back each year. It’s fairly sunny for most of the day

So if it’s dry, sunny and free draining it sounds like you need plants that withstand drought. I think stipa tenuissima- then plant between that- salvias- achillea both quite forgiving . Alliums (cristophii- beware ones like purple sensation and drumstick which reproduce exponentially) and bulbs are good. Wildflower meadow would be gorgeous too if you’re taking up a grass area.

Different types of grasses.

Beth Chatto is the queen of dry gardens.
I think bearded iris might suit.

Mediterranean herbs like lavender, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage etc. great for pollinators, smell amazing & can be used in your cooking.

Yes, I'd go for a variety of herbs as well.

Thanks everyone. We have a herb garden outside the kitchen but I might add in some herbs. I have a load of salvias so they can definitely go in. I’ve realised it’s actually a lot longer than I thought (11m) so this is going to be pricey!

If you're looking to do it without wasting money then salvias take from cuttings really easily - if you start some now they will be ready to plant next spring. And in a long border a bit of repetition is a very good thing so I'd be aiming to buy one of what I want and propagate. Lavender comes easily from cuttings too. Cistus (or whatever it's called nowadays) would also be happy in sunny dry soil. Lambs ears - ask on Facebook, people will be giving them away probably. Hardy Geraniums fill space nicely and there are so many to choose from. And I love Lady's Mantle.

I'd spend my money on bulbs - little iris, daffs, crocus etc as well as alliums - and beg/borrow/steal/propagate the rest.

Agree with earlier poster that you can do this cheaply. If you use Stipa Tennuissima it self seeds very easily and is split very easily and the salvia would just pop up in between- achillea also spreads really easily and one plant bought can be split to make 3 or 4 plants right from the off. Mexican Fleabane is easily grown from seed. Gaura is also another nice one that can be grown from seed- or verbena bonasaris. Also agree with other poster that repetition is good and just the tall floaty grass with one or two other things would look fab. Very jealous of your boardwalk- sounds amazing!

Perovskia would look good. I would go for some fairly airy, open planting I think. Things like gaura, verbena bonaerensis and as others have said, grasses. Prairie style plants.