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Hi brand new here and complete rookie

emilyplant91b4B1jghwemilyplant91b4B1jghw Posts: 13
in Problem solving
Hi I have moved into a house with mixed hedges and clay soil
We have put in a border (at least 6 foot wide and god knows how long) to square off the grass
there are banks which just grow weeds, they are pretty steep.

last year I must have spent £200 on plants which were all perennials.
the border looks bare and everything has died. I can see a couple of lupine which are shooting
and there’s a couple of azelia japanocia which have stayed looking ok.
im looking for some guidance on Perennial plants (or shrubs I’m not sure if I wanted plants more than shrubs, but possibly because of the size of border shrubs are better??) which flower at some stage of year.

im really keen to learn more and a beautiful garden would be amazing! With different colours and a progression of different plants blooming at different times of the year.

I have planted bulbs at the top of the slopes and the daffodils are popping up ... can’t wait ! No sign of tulips yet though.

photos attached of the garden at different points for reference 

Posts

  • emilyplant91b4B1jghwemilyplant91b4B1jghw Posts: 13

  • emilyplant91b4B1jghwemilyplant91b4B1jghw Posts: 13

    Also I have chickens and dogs!!! Which I know probably affects gardening and what plants to put in !
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    Perennials die down over winter and reappear in spring so look out for more of yours coming back to life. What are the other perennials that you planted?
  • gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
    Hi Emily, looks like you’ve got quite a bit of land to tackle! Are those foxgloves in photo 3?

    Out of interest have you done a PH test? Have you done any soil preparation before planting, and if so what? 

    With regards to plants, some shrubs may be a good idea, even if they only have variegated leaves but do not flower they’ll still provide winter interest and structure. As for plants the only ones I can think of that would suit clay soil would be Astilbes, maybe Brunneras? I garden on chalky soil so I can’t help so much in that department!
  • emilyplant91b4B1jghwemilyplant91b4B1jghw Posts: 13
    Also how should I go about using lupin seeds I have 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Loads of plants are happy to grow in clay. Have a look at this
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=305
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    Clay soil is very fertile, though it can be tough to dig and weed.  Fortunately a lot of shrubs and perennials do well in heavy soil... roses, for instance.  You don't have to have the sort your grandma used to grow, which were boring when not in flower and had to be sprayed with noxious chemicals - modern repeat-flowering shrub roses fit well into a mixed border and are easy to look after.  Hydrangeas, spiraea, honeysuckle, lilac and amelanchier all do well - there are plenty more.  Hardy geraniums don't mind clay.  

    If you can improve your soil by adding a good layer of organic matter (manure or compost) each year, you can grow lots of things well.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • Novice23Novice23 Posts: 200
    I am convinced every year that my perennials have died, just when I give up, there they are poking their shoots up.  Just wait and see what grows before giving up.   I dig grit and compost into the ground every time I plant anything and over time it does help break down the clay.  

    Good luck
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