Hello, 1st time gardener looking for advice

[beckyc91]

Good day, all!
I have recently moved into a new home with my first garden (very exciting), and I really want to get stuck in and make it my own.
The first thing I want to tackle is a big blank patch of stony soil in the corner. There is a honeysuckle that had gone wild and grew over the olive tree beside it. I have trimmed it and straightened up the olive tree. I wanted to plant some lavender in front of the olive tree, but on inspection of the soil, it is completely full of roots (image attached). Any advice on what I can do with this, please? Thank you so much in advance.

 

[Meadowlark]

Welcome @beckyc91

How much sunlight does that space get. Just from the photo it appears to be somewhat shaded. Lavendar needs full sun.

I would be thinking of an azalea or two there depending on the light...it tolerates partial shade well and would add some color.

 

[beckyc91]

Welcome @beckyc91

How much sunlight does that space get. Just from the photo it appears to be somewhat shaded. Lavendar needs full sun.

I would be thinking of an azalea or two there depending on the light...it tolerates partial shade well and would add some color.

Hi Meadowlark,
Thank you for replying. I have a South facing garden, which does get alot of sun. I just read that lavender and olive trees go well together and I want to encourage pollinators into the garden. I have had a look at azalea, from your suggestion, and they do indeed look very pretty!

 

[Sheal]

Welcome to the forums beckyc91.

 

[Sluggy]

Welcome and good luck with your project. Find out which fences you own before you attach any thing to it. Nothing worse than a fence war with a neighbour speaking from experience.

 

[Ginger with Roots]

It's a little difficult to tell from the photo, but it looks like the 'fuzzy' roots on the surface are probably from the honeysuckle. Just make sure you really pull them out and then go for the lavender! I cut roots all the time. The olive tree roots are shallow, but closer to the trunk. I would plant lavender or any other mediterranean plants like rosemary or sage-at least 2 feet away from the tree. Keep the growing conditions the same. Also if the olive tree is decorative, give it a little trim to shape it up. Good luck!

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Welcome to the forum ,Becky. That must be quite a nice, sunny little corner with the olive and honeysuckle doing so well, this is England, Meadowlark, not Texas. How big is the garden? Do you have plans for it? I have never done it, but sitting down and making a paper plan of what you want can be very useful.
Look around, not all lavender is the same, it varies from short and dark blue to a largish bush with long pale blue flower stems coming out of it. I used to find myself pruning lavender regularly, something people don't like doing for some reason, and saved the cuttings to strike new plants. Strangely people would tell me 'It was expensive, it's a Hidcote you know.' about all the different types