Planting from scratch

[Ceirdwyn]

DH is going to build a raised bed enclosure on our flagged yard for the tortoise we are getting in a few weeks.
We want something that will be nice to look at, as well as safe and interesting for the tortoise. I'm going to be planting some SW weed seeds for food, but I want to buy some established plants from the garden centre as well. What should I be getting?

1. It will have to grow in fairly poor soil, as I will be filling the enclosure with topsoil to keep it safe for the tortoise.
2. Safe for the tortoise to eat, or something that a tortoise just wouldn't eat (do those exist?)
3. Happy to grow is a small, shady, west facing garden that doesn't get a lot of sun for most of the year.
4. Not too expensive to buy.

Any advice is great, thanks.

[sandy]

Originally Posted by Ceirdwyn

DH is going to build a raised bed enclosure on our flagged yard for the tortoise we are getting in a few weeks.
We want something that will be nice to look at, as well as safe and interesting for the tortoise. I'm going to be planting some SW weed seeds for food, but I want to buy some established plants from the garden centre as well. What should I be getting?

1. It will have to grow in fairly poor soil, as I will be filling the enclosure with topsoil to keep it safe for the tortoise.
2. Safe for the tortoise to eat, or something that a tortoise just wouldn't eat (do those exist?)
3. Happy to grow is a small, shady, west facing garden that doesn't get a lot of sun for most of the year.
4. Not too expensive to buy.

Any advice is great, thanks.

Dwarf hebes are great, they flower and stay green all year round. Got mine from B&Q. Also ornamental grasses are great too, again from B&Q.

[CherryBrandy]

pansies good. maybe low lying pots, in little cages that's popular these days, so the plants grow out the wire and preserve the root. I also have poor soil and will bury the pot right down to the rim if you have that depth. Keeps the plant in good top soil and the roots a choice to grow through. I bet you are very excited ! CB

[emma_mcraf]

You can't go wrong with Carex, Hebe, Lavender and Rosemary. They love to go underneath
for shade but a little nibble won't hurt.

[Suze65]

Have a look here on the data base, it gives garden plant, house plants, weeds, flowers, that you can and can't use.
http://m.thetortoisetable.org.uk/m/tortoise_home_1.asp

[CherryBrandy]

I love nemensia , bugs don't eat it either. Not sure for Torts though. Nasturtiums, they are nice but my torts didn't touch them which may not be a bad thing. I seem to have masses and masses of butter cups this year for some reason. Clover is beautiful, CB

[emma_mcraf]

Originally Posted by CherryBrandy

I love nemensia , bugs don't eat it either. Not sure for Torts though. Nasturtiums, they are nice but my torts didn't touch them which may not be a bad thing. I seem to have masses and masses of butter cups this year for some reason. Clover is beautiful, CB

Nemesia, CB? My torts love it. Clover also looks nice and is easy to grow, both red and white.

[Ceirdwyn]

All great info, thanks everyone. I've started a list.

[Ozric Jonathan]

Sages and thymes are also good. Tortoises don't eat them but they are not poisonous and they are cheap. They are not fussy plants either but do need some sunshine to do well.

[Hanako]

Originally Posted by CherryBrandy

I love nemensia , bugs don't eat it either. Not sure for Torts though. Nasturtiums, they are nice but my torts didn't touch them which may not be a bad thing. I seem to have masses and masses of butter cups this year for some reason. Clover is beautiful, CB

My tortoises love nasturtium leaves, especially the young leaves.
Buttercups are poisonous, aren't they?