Novice gardening

[AmusedRoseCrow]

What would you plant at this time to year to really help establish a garden border? Totally clueless we are south facing and last year bought garden on a roll but half of it hadn’t survived the winter 😆

anything budget friendly but quick impact!? Thanks in advance

What sort of border do you want - herbaceous perennials, shrubs, annuals or a mix?
It would perhaps help to know whereabouts in the country you are to get an idea of temperatures and rainfall - what survives in the south may not in the north.

I like to have a mix of dark red and green foliage- so maybe a small acer and heuchera
Wallflowers (erysimum) last a long time and come back
Fuchsias give you a bit of height a long flowering season and come back
Camelias are excellent for giving impact at this time of year and are pretty hardy
Azaleas are in the shops now and are very reliable for coming back
If you want a bit of a tropical look maybe a caster oil plant

My advice to anyone with a blank garden is to buy a bit at a time over the year then you will ensure you have a bit of flowering all through the year.
I prefer flowering shrubs

Oh and if you have a home bargains garden centre near you and are prepared to drop in frequently to get the plants when they have just been delivered you can get some bargains (!) they currently have dwarf azalea in mine for £3.88, camelias for £11.99, wallflowers for £3.99
and decent size plants too.

Don’t be too quick to write off last years plants OP - things are only just starting to grow again (in the southeast). Many perennials disappear over winter and then you see signs of life again in spring.

Asda have loads of stuff at present . I would go for clematis and bedding plants.

What did you plant last year, and are you sure it’s dead and not just dormant?

Clematis are climbers so need something to climb up. If you just want a standard birder you cannot go wrong with cat mint for bulking it up. Lady’s Mantle is great for edges and taller plants for the middle and back. However wait a couple of weeks to see what else comes up.

I'd focus on improving the soil with plenty of mulch.

This.