Help with a flowering perennial border

[christmaspudding43]

Hi,

We've inherited a lovely garden that has clearly been a much loved project for someone over the years but has been neglected recently. There are many tasks but a somewhat manageable one feels like this border. Since the pics were taken I have emptied it of all but a fuscia (and I'm not against taking that out too)

The border faces south, the pics were taken at about midday a couple of weeks ago. There is some shade at one side from a rampant acer (right in the photo). To the left is a big spiky grass thing that is under debate. Behind (I.e to the north) is the magnolia tree you can just see. In front is lawn and then a mixed native hedge with red robin hedge in front of that.

I'd like flowering pollinator friendly perennials to last across as long a period as possible, so some spring flowering, some summer etc. I'm not too sure on soil type, the back garden had camellias thriving but I don't know if the front is similar type or not.

Can anyone help? Sorry for overly long op, just trying to give all the info!

Just to add, so far I'm wondering about bulbs, nepeta, ceanothus. Would like the border to be reasonably low level, say knee to mid thigh height.

Pulmonaria is a pretty and easy plant which is a good pollinator. Perennial geraniums are also good.

Don't get rid of the fuschia! Lavender is a good bet for a sunny spot and easily maintained as well as being loved by bees.

I’ve found gardening books by Lucy Bellamy simple & easy to use. Step by step plans of how to design & plant boarders.

I had my south border replanted last year and have a mix of Echinacea, lavender, nepetia, Alchemilla Mollis, salvia amistad, small purple trailing geraniums (can't remember the name) and small hydrangeas plus some shrubs and folksy plants. They all seem very happy in the sun

Wow thanks for all the suggestions all. And apologies for my shocking spelling, I'd been up since 3, that's my only excuse! I will investigate all the ideas.

Salvias, hyssop, agastaste. Nepeta, hardy geraniums and yes, the Lucy Bellamy book is very good. Enjoy your new border

I would start by adding a whole load of organic matter, if you've cleared a border it's a great time to do that and all your plants will be happier for it.

I would also somewhat restrict the colour palette - just a few colours, with some contrast in there will be more effective than a big mix.

It looks like it's a bit raised, so I'm guessing the drainage is OK. I think I would put some of the prairie type plants, so salvias, echinaceas, rudbeckias, helianthemums, gauras, and a few smaller grasses like stipa for some movement.

I'd also add some alliums and some tulips for the spring, when the perennials will be doing nothing.

Second thé Hardy geraniums.

You might want think about some oriental poppies which give a big burst of colour early on. Some geums maybe, verbena too.

My current favourite are Echinops. The flowers are spiky balls which look really unwelcoming but bees go absolutely berserk for them.

Rosemary is also a good option - it flowers several times a year including in late winter/early spring when newly emerging queen bumblebees or overwintering bees are about & not much else is flowering. Plus it's great for cooking, loves sun & neglect.