Use these plants

Carpinus betulus

Pleached hornbeam gives height and privacy without taking up too much room. Good autumn leaf colour and green spring catkins. H3m (10ft) S1.2m (4ft)

Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’

Evergreen shrub with variegated lanceshaped leaves. Clusters of scented, pale pink flowers in January. Sun or part shade. H1.4m (4½ft) S1.5m (5ft)

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine Fontäne’

Grass with narrow, silvery, white-striped leaves. Red flowers fade to silver from late summer into autumn. Needs full sun. H1.5m (5ft) S50cm (20in)

Magnolia stellata

Compact and bushy small tree with silky buds that open up to starry, white, lightly scented flowers that have some frost resistance. Needs sun or part shade. H3m (10ft) S4m (13ft)

Phormium ‘Platt’s Black’

Evergreen with purpleblack, arching, strappy to sword-like leaves. Excellent for drama and architecture. Red flowers in hot summers. Needs full sun. H90cm (3ft) S60cm (2ft)

Agapanthus ‘Purple Delight’

Rich purple-coloured explosions atop tall stems from midsummer to early autumn in a sunny spot. Evergreen foliage. H90cm (3ft) S50cm (20in)

Polystichum munitum

Sword-like, dark evergreen fronds up to 90cm (3ft) long arranged in a shuttlecock-like shape. Good winter interest. Full or part shade. H1m (3ft 3in) S1.2m (4ft)

Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’

Compact, shade-loving perennial with acid-yellow spring flowers and strappy evergreen foliage in deep purple. Sun or part shade. H50cm (20in) S30cm (12in)

Verbena officinalis grandiflora ‘Bampton’

Bronze-purple-flushed foliage is held on slender stems and topped with spikes of small violetpink flowers throughout summer. Needs sun. H1m (3ft 3in) S75cm (30in)