Ideas of what to do with this gap in the yard

[TameRacingDriver]

We have a small back yard, mostly paved over, which we're trying to make more attractive with plants etc. We've already bought some pots and it's looking better. but I want some inspiration about what to do with this:



There are no paving stones here. We used to have a Clematis planted here, but it died. We suspect that the neighbour killed it accidentally, because there's a gap at the bottom of the fence, and weeds grew out into their yard. The neighbour confessed they used weed killer to kill the weeds, so I'm guessing that's why our plant died. They are elderly so I don't hold this against them.

Anyway, I want some ideas what I can do with this. The obvious answer is to plant something again, but obviously I don't want a repeat of this incident, so I'd need to find a way of creating a barrier so weeds cannot grow on the neighbours side, and equally, that they can't accidentally kill my plant!

However, I am also open to any other ideas what I could do here. I have a spare day tomorrow and the weather is looking OK for the next couple of days. TIA

[InformationSuperHighway]

Veggie patch?

[OutInTheShed]

You could dig it out, install some pots or planters or whatever, then fill around the pots with gravel or chippings.

[ukwill]

Dig down, line it, fill it with water and turn it into a plunge pool. Unleash your Wim Hof energy.

[CoolHands]

Some kind of thorny bush? I think some have nice coloured leaves, reddish maybe. Low maintenance.

[Simpo Two]

TameRacingDriver said:

Anyway, I want some ideas what I can do with this. The obvious answer is to plant something again, but obviously I don't want a repeat of this incident, so I'd need to find a way of creating a barrier so weeds cannot grow on the neighbours side, and equally, that they can't accidentally kill my plant!

Clematis can die for various reasons; the weedkiller might be a coincidence.

You could plant almost any plant you like, and get a little thingy like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kent-Stowe-Daisy-Grubber-... to grub out weeds. The area is so small it will be very easy to keep tidy by hand.

[sherman]

I would build it up to 2 or 3 ft high and make a raised bed using similar sleepers to what you already have.

[crofty1984]

Motorbike.