border survival

We have a small front lawn with a central path which creates two areas, each of which has border garden bed for the purpose of giving structure to the setting.Three different plantings have been tried and failed. White azaleas were maintained for years in the hope that they would become established. Dead plants were frequently replaced but the garden boundary looked like a smile with some teeth missing.

A more resilient variety of azalea was also unsuccessful. These were replaced by Hebe, which did well until summer. On one notorious day when the temperature reached forty six degrees those plants in the direct  sunlight literally cooked. The resemblance to dental decay returned as the affected plants first transformed into lifeless twigs then slowly crumbled. Since then there has been an occasional dispirited discussion about finding a new candidate to define the perimeter of the grass.

The frontrunner is lavender, of which there are a few varieties. They are generally attractive, drought tolerant(since we will never think to water them), not too large and easily trimmed. On the negative side we have one son who finds the smell of lavender nauseating. Rosemary and Dwarf (Is this word discriminatory?) Box are also under consideration. It is not an easy area for a plant to flourish in since it is in shade in winter but receives the full summer sun due to the seasonal change in the angle of the light.
Some energetic people might consider planting a new display of annuals each year but that is beyond the capacity of this family. So lavender it is and perhaps less visits from our younger son when the warmer air broadcasts that distinctive aromatic scent.