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Learning about plants and bit worried.

Fruffy91Fruffy91 Posts: 14
edited August 2021 in Plants
Good afternoon everyone hope your all well. Due to landscaping our back garden from scratch and many trips to the local garden centre we are slowly learning more and more about plants. And loving every moment of it!. Before we moved into our house we knew nothing about plants.

When we moved in we planted some plants in thr front garden this was before we knew anything about anything. We bought them because the looked nice! And that was all. But I'm slowly learning about invasive plants and also reading about plants that have damaging root structure ie. Damaging to brickwork/foundations and drainage.



I have 3 plants at the moment as you can see by the picture,
lily "golden romance" placed 32 inches away from wall to centre of plant.
Lilium "classic joy" 28 inches away from wall
Lilium "sparking joy" 17 inches away from wall.

My question is are these going to be ok? Am not going to be damaging my brickwork or foundations by the roots spreading?

Also I need 1 more plant if anyone can recommend a lovely perennials that I can put close to a wall that is not going so any damage damage anything at all if possible?

Thankyou for all your help people everyone on here is so helpful and nice!.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited August 2021
    Lilies don't damage brickwork so they're fine - as are herbaceous perennials  :)
    The only problem with larger perennials is that they can be too big for a space as they reach maturity 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Large shrubs and trees are really the only plants that could damage your foundations. 
    Enjoy your garden and don’t hesitate to ask us if you’re not sure. We like helping … and we’re all still learning … it’s just that some are further along the path 😉 

    Is that a sunny or shady spot?

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Fruffy91Fruffy91 Posts: 14
    Dovefromabove said:
    Large shrubs and trees are really the only plants that could damage your foundations. 
    Enjoy your garden and don’t hesitate to ask us if you’re not sure. We like helping … and we’re all still learning … it’s just that some are further along the path 😉 

    Is that a sunny or shady spot?
    Thankyou! Yes when reading about plants that can damage brickwork etc. I panicked and didn't want any damage long term!. Its north facing that spot so it gets a lovely sun during the morning as there is no obstructions between the bed and the sun :).
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Have a look at penstemons … they’re available in garden centres right now. 

    They prefer quite a sunny spot but can manage with a bit of shade. 

    There are quite a few different and rather gorgeous colours and they’re pretty trouble-free. 

    They come back year after year, and we could even explain how you can take cuttings to make more plants 

    Lots of info here https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-penstemons/. 

    😊 



    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The best perennial for that site is a hardy geranium - or two. 
    Most can cope with a variety of conditions, and are very easy. here are lots to choose from though, so take a bit of time to have a look through some of the sites which sell them. 
    Most lilies tend to flower around the same time, so it's always good to add some other planting for a succession of flowering. We're at 'spring bulb' time, so they're worth having to fit in and around your lilies etc. 

    Here's a specialist site for some geranium ideas
    https://hardygeraniumnursery.co.uk/2019/09/08/geraniums-for-shade/
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Fruffy91Fruffy91 Posts: 14
    Thankyou everyone for all your input and kind words I shall check out all your suggestions! Hopefully 1 day I can help others like everyone helps me! 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Fruffy91 said:
    Thankyou everyone for all your input and kind words I shall check out all your suggestions! Hopefully 1 day I can help others like everyone helps me! 
    I’m sure you will … you’ll pick up stuff faster than you realise … welcome aboard 😉 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The other thing to remember is that the house will have a rain shadow - which just means that it can be difficult for any rain to get into the parts nearest the walls.
    Anything planted there will need a little bit more attention, than the plants further out. As it's a bit shadier, that can help because plants will dry out less quickly though  :)
    The drawback of the gravel is that it's harder to give plants a feed, but you can use a liquid one now and again instead. Tomato food is ideal for any flowering plant, and also for bulbs as they die back - a couple of feeds is all that's needed for those. That helps them bulk up for the following year. 

    You'll be able to add a few other things to give some height too, which don't take up a lot of room horizontally. You can always start a thread in future to ask about those, but your lilies will also bulk up and become quite sizeable clumps. Those can be divided in a few years so you can put them in other locations too.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Fruffy91Fruffy91 Posts: 14
    edited August 2021
    Just so you guys know we visited the local today and got a lovely penstemon polaris rose! We went looking at all the suggestions and the polaris rose was the most beautiful in the wife's eyes so we settled on that. Planted it and gave it a good water.... in the rain do the neighbours must think I'm mad! 
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