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What to plant in new garden bed?

I am wanting to plant an area of 7.7m x 1m with some relatively small and unobtrusive plants, probably no more than ½ to ¾ fence height and do not want a hedge. I intend using weed mat and natural river pebbles, also with treated pine edging 75mm x 25mm ( unfortunately ca nt find this at Bunnings). I was thinking of a double row of different plants but with the 1m width, will it look to busy and congested? Also what type of plant(s) would be suitable for this area which is at the rear of an east facing property and will only get some afternoon sun.

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MitchellMc

Hi @kanga25,

With a 1 m wide bed, a double row can work, but it can start to feel a bit crowded depending on the plant choice. If you go that route, it’s best to keep one row slightly taller and the other lower, and stick to fairly compact varieties so the space doesn’t become congested over time. That said, a single row with well-spaced plants can often look cleaner and more intentional, especially in a narrow strip like this.

Given the position at the rear of an east-facing property, you’re likely dealing with part shade to light afternoon sun, so you’ll want plants that handle lower light conditions well. Some good options to consider are lomandra varieties (great for structure and very low maintenance), dwarf nandina for a bit of colour, liriope for a neat, grass-like border, or small gardenias if you’d like something with fragrance. Compact hebes can also work nicely if the spot gets enough light.

If you’re set on using river pebbles and weed mat, just be mindful that pebbles can heat up and dry the soil underneath, so make sure your plants are suited to those conditions and that irrigation can still reach the roots properly.

Overall, keep the layout simple, allow enough spacing for mature growth, and you’ll end up with something that looks tidy and is easy to maintain rather than overcrowded.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

kanga25

Thanks Mitchell for these suggestions. I will look at these options and decide on what will be most suitable.

kanga25

@MitchellMc does bunnings still carry the Treated Pine H4 100 x 25mm

EricL

Hello @kanga25

Yes, the 100 x 25mm 4.8m Wet H4 Treated Pine Sawn Garden Edging is still present on the website and is therefore available at the store. My best advice is to give your local store a call to make sure they have stock of the product.

Eric

kanga25

EricL

Hello @kanga25

My apologies, thank you for the update. Some products might not be available in your area and are only accessible in other states. As a possible alternative have you considered using Jack 118 x 13.5cm Black Garden Edging or Jack 1.8m Black Garden Edging? They are easy to install and are rust and corrosion resistant. There is also the Tuscan Path 1.2m x 9cm Stones Edging and the Jack 1180mm x 200mm Garden Edging Strip. Their different profiles might add a nice highlight to your garden bed project.

But if you are still keen on timber, can you please tell us the closest store in your area? We'll give them a call and try to find out what they have in stock that might suite your garden bed project.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

kanga25

I am in Victoria. My closest Bunnings is in Mernda or Mill Park.

EricL

Hello @kanga25

Thank you for that information, we'll give the stores a call and find out if there are any other options in timber for garden edging. We'll get back to you as soon as we have more information.

Eric

MitchellMc

Hi @kanga25,

You can view the full range of garden edging stocked at Bunnings Mernda on the Bunnings webpage. Just ensure you set your store as Bunnings Mernda to ensure it only shows results available there.

The closest timber edging to 100 x 25mm would be the 150 x 25mm 5.4M Plinth H3 Treated Pine Sawn, but being only H3-treated it's only suitable for above-ground use. The next suitably treated timber for on or in-ground use are treated pine sleepers. Other options include 69 x 7mm 5.7m FJ KD Merbau Edging, or you could even go with Merbau decking. Being hardwood, it will last a considerable amount of time, which could be extended by painting any portion buried beneath the ground with bitumen paint.

Here's a helpful guide: How to choose garden edging.

Mitchell

kanga25

For some conteast, I was thinking of possibly using black polished pebbles. Are these OK to use and have you seen these used alot?

MitchellMc

Hi @kanga25,

Black polished pebbles might look sleek, but they’re not a great choice for planted areas. Dark stones absorb and hold a lot of heat, then radiate it back into the surrounding soil and air. That extra heat can stress plants, dry out the soil faster, and in some cases even scorch roots or lower foliage, especially in warmer climates.

They’re used occasionally for decorative, non-planted sections, but not commonly where plant health is a priority.

A better option is to go with mid-grey or lighter-coloured pebbles. These reflect more sunlight and stay much cooler, creating a more stable environment for your plants to grow in.

Mitchell

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