Yes it’s a tricky one, whilst the restricted space may restrict their growth, some will grow rather bigger that stated sizes, which are only a rough guide. Unless you are planting a dense clipped hedge, with shrubs it’s often better to be on the safe side re planting distances and give them a little more room to breathe. It’s bound to look a bit gappy for the first year or two, but you can always pop in some perennials until they fill out. It’s usually far easier to lift and re-site perennials elsewhere than shrubs, especially if you dealing with a narrow space where all the shrub roots will grow into each other and it’ll be tricky to dig one out without damaging the roots of it’s neighbour.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
This is it now more spread out… it looks so pathetic haha! Tempted to take the eunonymus japonica paloma Blanca back and swap for more of the white spire as that only grows 20cm wide 🧐
Hi @fizzyliz, I just thought I'd try to put your mind at rest! All those plants you have chosen have a naturally compact growth habit and will have restricted root growth and height because they are not in an open border. It's better to plant as you originally intended to get a good show this year. By planting them further apart, your display will look gappy and you'll be tempted to fill in the gaps with something else which will spoil the designed look of your display. It's really down to your own preference though, trust your instincts, experiment and you'll be pleased with the result! Enjoy your new plants!
I thought you wanted more perennials to plant in between - that's what you'd asked about. You wouldn't really have had room for those too at the spacing you had. If everything established and thrived, you could end up compromising some of the evergreens. With a bit more room, they're less likely to compete, and you can have those other perennials to give more summer colour, plus room for some bulbs to plant in autumn. All heights and spreads are approximate. As with every plant, your conditions will dictate the eventual sizes. Up to you though
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Of course it’s entirely up to you, your garden your decision, fizzyliz, you are bound to get different opinions! I can only speak from experience and say that you may regret planting shrubs of different habits and forms too closely as it could look like a muddled vegetative jungle. I have made the mistake of planting things too closely in the past because the plants looked initially lost and definitely regretted it!
Some of your plants, like the lavender Vera (is this the one? https://www.rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/lavandula-x-intermedia-vera/classid.2000038891/ ) will not stay compact and get large regardless of the space and it’s graceful habit will really be spoilt if it’s too hemmed in. Looking back at your plan, there is a pale blue star on the corner, so were you thinking of putting the vera lavender there? I think thats a good idea as it will have space to spill over the edges.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
I, too, think the spacing's better in the second pic, I'm always making the mistake of trying to cram too much in but it's really better to have fewer small shrubs than more.
I would give them room to establish for this year and fill in the gaps with perhaps summer bedding/small perennials.
Hi @fizzyliz, I just thought I'd try to put your mind at rest! All those plants you have chosen have a naturally compact growth habit and will have restricted root growth and height because they are not in an open border. It's better to plant as you originally intended to get a good show this year. By planting them further apart, your display will look gappy and you'll be tempted to fill in the gaps with something else which will spoil the designed look of your display. It's really down to your own preference though, trust your instincts, experiment and you'll be pleased with the result! Enjoy your new plants!
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If everything established and thrived, you could end up compromising some of the evergreens. With a bit more room, they're less likely to compete, and you can have those other perennials to give more summer colour, plus room for some bulbs to plant in autumn.
All heights and spreads are approximate. As with every plant, your conditions will dictate the eventual sizes.
Up to you though
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Some of your plants, like the lavender Vera (is this the one? https://www.rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/lavandula-x-intermedia-vera/classid.2000038891/ ) will not stay compact and get large regardless of the space and it’s graceful habit will really be spoilt if it’s too hemmed in. Looking back at your plan, there is a pale blue star on the corner, so were you thinking of putting the vera lavender there? I think thats a good idea as it will have space to spill over the edges.
I would give them room to establish for this year and fill in the gaps with perhaps summer bedding/small perennials.