Use these plants

Phyllostachys nigra Handsome bamboo with tall black mature stems and dark green foliage. Remove lower leaves to expose the canes for an instant living work of art. H5m (16ft) S3m (10ft)

Taxus baccata Dark green conifer with needle-like leaves and red berries or arils on females. Sun or part shade. Responds well to topiary – clip to size; or, left unpruned, H20m (66ft) S10m (33ft)

Amelanchier lamarckii Year-round-interest with spring blossom, young bronze leaves, purple berries in June, autumn leaf colour and good winter silhouette. Suits sun or part shade. H10m (33ft) S6m (20ft)

Hakonechloa macra

A shaggy-looking grass that forms bright green hummocks in spring, which turn gold-red in autumn before dying back in winter. Prefers a cool, moist site. H35cm (14in) S40cm (16in)

Stipa tenuissima We love this versatile deciduous grass for year-round texture and movement. Plant in sun in moist well-drained soil. Looks good in a container too. H60cm (2ft) S30cm (12in)

Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’ Slowgrowing conifer with aromatic, silvery-blue foliage for sun or part shade. Tolerates dry, sandy soils once established. H40cm (16in) S1m (3ft 3in)

Asplenium scolopendrium Shadeloving fern with wavyedged evergreen foliage. It tolerates dry soil once established so will thrive here beneath the bench. H and S60cm (2ft)

Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ Slenderleaved black mondo grass forms dramatic clumps in sun or part shade. Small, pale mauve flowers June-August. H20cm (8in) S30cm (12in)

Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum’ Cut-leaved acer with a rounded, compact habit and feathery foliage that turns orange and gold in autumn. Needs shelter and part shade. H2m (6½ft) S3m (10ft)