I wouldn't have planted anything under that large fir tree, and there's also Leylandii behind it, not all plants like to live under conifer. PI would have planted some nice flowers in big tubs/pots, and perhaps a small shrub that won't mind being container grown, and stood them on slabs. Something tall along the fence, bamboo in tubs maybe. Also a nice Clematis or three for year round flowering.
The leaves on the aquilegia need cutting off as they have succumbed to mould.
There's a lot of work involved in bringing ground like that under conifers up to scratch for planting, depends how much time and effort you want to put into it.
I think planting under a beech tree is probably easier than firs.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
Plants take time to establish and to grow. You've taken the sensible option of spacing them to give them root to grow, but the downside is that there is currently space for weeds to develop. As we all know, Murphy's Law states that things you don't want will intially grow much faster than those you do want.
All you can do is weed regularly, water and feed well, and mulch to suppress the weeds. In time, and it may be a couple of years, the plants will expand and greatly reduce the weed problem.
Afternoon all. As people kindly took time to give advise on this bed I though I would post some photos of its development. It’s by no means perfect but is far better than it was. I’ve kept up with the watering, planted more of what is happy and fed fed fed. The Jasmin has sadly died in the pots so that is being replaced. Thanks again!
Pop some annuals into the gaps - night scented stock would be great there and some annual poppies to give you height - and its not too late to sow seed.
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
If you have an elephant and a mouse drinking from a pond the mouse will suffer. I dont have the expertise of my fellow Allotmenteers but the tree has miles of roots and your plants a lot less Could you develop another area somewhere else in the garden.....................Good luck
Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
Maybe do a pH test?.. perhaps plants like Azalea, Rhododenron or Fastsia would be happier?
All of those will need plenty of moisture to keep them thriving. Plants to suit drier shade are what's needed in that situation. I can plant quite a lot of things under my conifers, but we get loads of rain - all year round - so it's relatively simple for me. I do tend towards hardy geraniums, ferns etc which need no attention though. London Pride [Saxifraga urbium] grows very happily in and around there too. Ideal ground cover, and the bees and insects enjoy the little flowers. Unless you have nothing else to do with your time, constant faffing over planting which isn't ideal for a spot, whether dry, wet, sunny or shady, is very wearing, and plants never really thrive as well as they should. Potentillas would cope - once established. They don't really care what they grow in. The paler varieties would look best - whites, or the very soft butter coloured ones. You could also try some of the smaller Hebes. You may not get flowers, or not many, but if you looked atthem as a foliage plant rather than a flowering one, they would be fine at edges or corners.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Oh no! I posted my update as I was proud of what I had managed in that situation and now I’m thinking of elephants and mice! It’s a bed a way away from the house so we see the finite details but I thought it looked alright! I have lots of gaps under a south facing conifer hedge and I was wondering about splitting some hardy geraniums from elsewhere and trying them under the conifers
I also think it's looking quite good now Liz. It's a tricky wee site you have there, and it'll take a bit more time to have it mature My shrub suggestions were because of a previous post referring you to alternative plants, I didn't mean 'you should plant these instead!' Apologies if it sounded that way As your jasmine didn't survive, you could always try some sweet peas in big pots at either side of your seat. They would do well there [plenty of food and water when you do the other plants!] and be a nice surround for those summer days when you sit and admire all your hard work...
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
I wouldn't have planted anything under that large fir tree, and there's also Leylandii behind it, not all plants like to live under conifer. PI would have planted some nice flowers in big tubs/pots, and perhaps a small shrub that won't mind being container grown, and stood them on slabs. Something tall along the fence, bamboo in tubs maybe. Also a nice Clematis or three for year round flowering.
The leaves on the aquilegia need cutting off as they have succumbed to mould.
There's a lot of work involved in bringing ground like that under conifers up to scratch for planting, depends how much time and effort you want to put into it.
I think planting under a beech tree is probably easier than firs.
Plants take time to establish and to grow. You've taken the sensible option of spacing them to give them root to grow, but the downside is that there is currently space for weeds to develop. As we all know, Murphy's Law states that things you don't want will intially grow much faster than those you do want.
All you can do is weed regularly, water and feed well, and mulch to suppress the weeds. In time, and it may be a couple of years, the plants will expand and greatly reduce the weed problem.
I dont have the expertise of my fellow Allotmenteers but the tree has miles of roots and your plants a lot less
Could you develop another area somewhere else in the garden.....................Good luck
Unless you have nothing else to do with your time, constant faffing over planting which isn't ideal for a spot, whether dry, wet, sunny or shady, is very wearing, and plants never really thrive as well as they should.
Potentillas would cope - once established. They don't really care what they grow in. The paler varieties would look best - whites, or the very soft butter coloured ones. You could also try some of the smaller Hebes. You may not get flowers, or not many, but if you looked atthem as a foliage plant rather than a flowering one, they would be fine at edges or corners.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have lots of gaps under a south facing conifer hedge and I was wondering about splitting some hardy geraniums from elsewhere and trying them under the conifers
My shrub suggestions were because of a previous post referring you to alternative plants, I didn't mean 'you should plant these instead!'
Apologies if it sounded that way
As your jasmine didn't survive, you could always try some sweet peas in big pots at either side of your seat. They would do well there [plenty of food and water when you do the other plants!] and be a nice surround for those summer days when you sit and admire all your hard work...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...