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My garden did not look like this before I went away!

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  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    If it's just to plug gaps between plants like Nepeta, Geum and Astrantias which will quickly bulk up with lots of foliage after cutting back, I think smaller plants like Nemesias and Diascias make good container/hanging basket plants as well as border plants. Most garden centres should have decent size plants ready to plant out now.

    Sedums are also good plants that have a long season of interest and some have lovely dark foliage to create colour contrasts lasting right into winter time, and unlikely to die due to a 6 day holiday break. 


  • If it's just to plug gaps between plants like Nepeta, Geum and Astrantias which will quickly bulk up with lots of foliage after cutting back, I think smaller plants like Nemesias and Diascias make good container/hanging basket plants as well as border plants. Most garden centres should have decent size plants ready to plant out now.

    Sedums are also good plants that have a long season of interest and some have lovely dark foliage to create colour contrasts lasting right into winter time, and unlikely to die due to a 6 day holiday break. 


    Thank you Borderline.  I already have lots of sedum but I think nemesia would work as fillers.  I did see some nemesia at the GC yesterday as ‘Manager’s Special offer’ .... will pop back today! 😬
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I suddenly remembered that I pass a nice stand of Aconitum when I'm out and about. It's flowering just now, although it may be later here than in other areas.
    Not something I grow myself, but could be another good vertical for you @Allyblueeyes. I think there are paler blue varieties too - most of them are  a stronger colour. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    My Aconitum has finished flowering now, I’m collecting seeds, some promised to @Obelixx. Ready to go. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Ah - fair dos Lyn. I wondered if they were much earlier further south. 

    There's me thinking I'd had a brainwave..... :(  :'(      :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Fairygirl said:
    Ah - fair dos Lyn. I wondered if they were much earlier further south. 

    There's me thinking I'd had a brainwave..... :(  :'(      :D
    Appreciated anyway Fairygirl 👍🏻
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Appreciated anyway Fairygirl 👍🏻
     ;) 

    I don't know if you already do this but, it can be useful to take photos regularly through the year. It highlights any gaps, timewise, in the planting, especially if you want a border to look good for a long period. You can then hunt down plants that will suit long term, if you don't want to keep sowing/planting annuals. 
    A few evergreens are also useful in a border that's visible over winter. Hebes, for example, would be ideal there, and don't need a lot of attention.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Fairygirl said:
    Appreciated anyway Fairygirl 👍🏻
     ;) 

    I don't know if you already do this but, it can be useful to take photos regularly through the year. It highlights any gaps, timewise, in the planting, especially if you want a border to look good for a long period. You can then hunt down plants that will suit long term, if you don't want to keep sowing/planting annuals. 
    A few evergreens are also useful in a border that's visible over winter. Hebes, for example, would be ideal there, and don't need a lot of attention.  :)
    I do take photos Fairygirl but very intermittently.  Perhaps I’ll take them more often ... makes good sense.  I do love a Hebe and I know the bees love the ones at my parents.  Good advice ... thank you 😊
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You're welcome @Allyblueeyes. :)
    There are plenty of other evergreens too - hebes always jump into my head because they're pretty straightforward and easily obtainable.
    I used to have a Convolvulous cneorum in a previous garden [before I learned that they don't like our climate up here!] and that could be a nice statement evergreen plant near the front of the border. White flowered, beautiful silvery folaige, so would work with everything else you have too. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Fairygirl said:
    You're welcome @Allyblueeyes. :)
    There are plenty of other evergreens too - hebes always jump into my head because they're pretty straightforward and easily obtainable.
    I used to have a Convolvulous cneorum in a previous garden [before I learned that they don't like our climate up here!] and that could be a nice statement evergreen plant near the front of the border. White flowered, beautiful silvery folaige, so would work with everything else you have too. 
    Fairygirl, I’ve just googled them - they’re beautiful and they look absolutely perfect.  Gardening Express have them on special offer so I’ll get ordering.  Thank you 😊 
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