I'm the same @amancalledgeorge. If you were to plant out a small perennial in June/July, you can get away with it. I'd never plant a small plant out in April here though. They don't stand a chance. Plants in containers will romp away as they have less soil around them to have a negative impact. They need more attention with watering, but that's about all.
It's important to understood your own conditions @London_to_Latimer - little plants take longer to establish in a big open space than mature ones would. Soil condition, climate, temps etc all have to be factored in
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
That said...I do love 9cm plants as a way to increase variety and to cheaply try out random plants. Frequently they end up being donated over the fence to the neighbours if they don't work out in mine.
My neighbour has a completely paved back garden @amancalledgeorge Don't think anything's ever been planted there except the wheelie bins! I donate extras to my sister, or her friend - who has a large, sloping 'bank' to fill up.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
They look fine to me, I've had issues with Echinacea myself, but the others are very dependable and will put on good growth by late summer I think. The grasses should come into flower around August-September which will give a bit of impact. I'd be inclined to give them their space while they grow. The bed looks tidy and full of promise.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
I planted a new perennial bed from scratch a couple of years ago, mostly from plants in 9cm pots, planted up in the Autumn. Last year it looked fab, and this year too, if a little overcrowded. I'm now thinking of what I'm going to have to move next year to give space to the plants I really want to keep...!
It wouldn't surprise me if you are much happier with it in July/August. Echinacea for example is more of a late summer flower as a rule.
Often the newer planted stuff will still perform but just take a touch longer. Next year all being somewhat equal the same plants will be away weeks earlier.
This spring has been very dry for many and the shortage of a deep soak of a few heavy rains makes a difference.
Ouch @Fairygirl how can anyone be happy looking at an expanse of slabs...mystifying. Our neighbours have discovered gardening over the lockdown period and are very enthusiastic and lucky enough to have a garden full of mature plants but with a lot of gaps as it has only got the attention of a strimmer every few months.
@Janie B that's the good part. Now you know which ones thrive in your conditions and can edit them down. A garden is never quite done, hopefully, or we'd have nothing to talk about on here.
@amancalledgeorge@Fairygirl that is a lesson learned. My garden is so bare with so little green that I just wanted stuff in the ground and growing! It's a bit demoralising looking out at the dustbowl!
@WillDB glad to hear you think all looks good! August/Sept seems such a long way off though! lol I know in the big scheme of things though that it isn't!
@Janie B@Astro echoing what I need to keep telling myself - Be patient!! I will try and stay on top of the watering though. Would you say a soaker hose is the best option for a bed like this? And should I be laying down a mulch?
Hello everyone! i wonder what kind of soil you have? A clay soil might be restricting the root growth if the roots are not able to move through the earth so easily? If it is clay did you add lots of organic matter and grit before planting? In this very hot weather i should say that a water 3 times a week would go down well also , but you water water very well indeed. Perhaps some nitrogen feed would also give them a good drink and boost if that plants are appropriately inclined? But yes i agree that when the nights warm up, that by August you be laughing!...I am in the same situation here
They've been planted very early [regardless of where you live] and they've been in the ground no time at all. They need time. That's all, and most of them will get there
@amancalledgeorge- I'm not going to criticise anyone for having nothing but paving [and a hedge ] because some people just don't garden, but I know what you mean. When I moved here, this plot wasn't much different - a fenced off area of slabs [not even nice paving] and that ugly red gravel, with grass beyond the fence. I assume the woman was rarely here, and that was her choice. I've enjoyed changing it, and when I move again, I'll do it all over again. That's my choice
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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Plants in containers will romp away as they have less soil around them to have a negative impact. They need more attention with watering, but that's about all.
It's important to understood your own conditions @London_to_Latimer - little plants take longer to establish in a big open space than mature ones would. Soil condition, climate, temps etc all have to be factored in
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Don't think anything's ever been planted there except the wheelie bins!
I donate extras to my sister, or her friend - who has a large, sloping 'bank' to fill up.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Often the newer planted stuff will still perform but just take a touch longer. Next year all being somewhat equal the same plants will be away weeks earlier.
This spring has been very dry for many and the shortage of a deep soak of a few heavy rains makes a difference.
Our neighbours have discovered gardening over the lockdown period and are very enthusiastic and lucky enough to have a garden full of mature plants but with a lot of gaps as it has only got the attention of a strimmer every few months.
@Janie B that's the good part. Now you know which ones thrive in your conditions and can edit them down. A garden is never quite done, hopefully, or we'd have nothing to talk about on here.
@amancalledgeorge @Fairygirl that is a lesson learned. My garden is so bare with so little green that I just wanted stuff in the ground and growing! It's a bit demoralising looking out at the dustbowl!
@WillDB glad to hear you think all looks good! August/Sept seems such a long way off though! lol I know in the big scheme of things though that it isn't!
@Janie B @Astro echoing what I need to keep telling myself - Be patient!!
They need time. That's all, and most of them will get there
@amancalledgeorge- I'm not going to criticise anyone for having nothing but paving [and a hedge
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...