The other end is where the broadband cable comes in. It comes through the wall foundation about 3 bricks back from the last pier, and we've made it loop to the fence and back. Ideally I'm avoiding planting anything that may send out longer roots at that end. Star Jasmine shouldn't be a problem as it'll send roots downwards in search of water.
@GardenerSuze I get your point, we've started on a formal plan and should probably try to somewhat adhere to that aesthetic.
The emerald 'n' gold Euonymus were all cuttings from one cheap plant. We were going to just clip these to irregular 18"/45 cm ish mounds. The 'white spire' Euonymus won't grow too wide anyway and will only get to around 2 ft./ 60 cm.
It's surprising, measuring 4 ft of planting depth seems like a lot, but once even small pots are popped in the middle of it that space shrinks. Offering up really only such a narrow edge for something is a bit tight, but we'll see how we go.
I have considered painting the visible edging (why didn't I think of that before laying it into the ground?) but I doubt it'll be necessary and it'll probably look worse.
What I might do, is to get a selection of these ground covering plants, put them into pots and see what they look like and how they behave. I don't mind a little more upkeep for a season or two to get a feel for them. In the mean time, the bulk bag of gravel has been ordered to fill the area. I'll add another strip of weed liner so that it's easier to get the gravel back up to plant future ground/edging covering plants.
@GravelEater I think you are wise to take your time, your comments about the edging shows how ideas change as you go along. The best gardens are those that evolve.
If you invest in a selection of plants, you may find that some of them can split in the autumn. It is a difficult time at present for planting at the moment due to drought and very dry air you will need to take special cre of anything you buy.
Plants such as Iberis may not be at the GC's at present as they won't be looking their best, they flower so early in the year. Campanulas and Thymes should be available and the advantage you will be able to put them along side a Euonymous to see if you like the combo whilst you are there. One plant I didn't mention and yes you may hate it is Ophiopogon nigrescens. Neat slow growing and evergreen, good in all but very dry conditions.
Hope I have given you a few thoughts. Suze. PS Some of the flowering times you have given seem a little late to me maybe the dry weather.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Flowering times came from various websites (not necessarily UK or even EU), so probably somewhat inaccurate.
Good call, seasonal stock at plant centres could be an issue. Though the local one to me does seem to have off season stuff knocking about. Worth a mooch about in there soon.
We did have a black grass some long while ago. I've seen some good examples of it's use, edging both sides of a long path with strong thick planting behind. I don't think it'll look great in my situation. Though it's fairly popular as edging of some form, I just don't like it. Each to their own (there'll be lots of folks that don't like our gardens ...).
This year's weather is just plain bonkers. I'm too far East to have picked up much of the rain at all. We're running low on our collected rain water reserves, so plants will just have to lump it with hard tap water.
@GravelEater Iv'e come to the conclusion that flowering times given on websites are only a rough guide, what is actually happening can be very different.
I seem to recall I saw some Iberis at my local GC a few weeks ago, chopped back looked a mess, reduced but fine.
I agree what we plant is a reflection of our personality and we should always grow what we like. There are so many plants to choose we are lucky.
Any plants in small pots, that are really suffering, can be plunged in a bucket of water to cover the compost wait for air bubbles to go then you know they have had a good soak.
Hope you find some bargains I am sure they are about as GC's and Nurseries.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Campanula: C. Portenschlagiana Clockwise 'Deep Blue' (purple) and 'White Blush' (white) both Summer flowering. Evergreen.
C. Carpatica 'Deep Blue' (purple/blue larger blooms) Summer flowering, I think it's deciduous, unfortunately. Meh, £2!
C. Cochlearifolia 'Jingle Blue', which may or may not be. If it is, then it's a Spring/Summer flower, purple again. Maybe semi-evergreen.
C. Ambella - looks to be a Portenschlagiana variant. Evergreen, repeat flowering over a long period. Purple pastel hues of colour.
Phlox Subulata: 'McDaniels Cushion' (pinky purple) April-May flowering, evergreen. 'Fabulous Blue' (violet/white with blue centre) May-June flowering, evergreen.
Saxifraga x Arendsii 'Purple Carpet', (pink-purple) May-June flowering, evergreen.
Was informed that Iberis were available, now out of season. We were just mooching around to see what was available and to get a feel in person for foliage types. Saw some very interesting things, but resisted impulse purchase. Came home, looked online and felt relieved to not have bought some plants that simply wouldn't work for us around the gardens.
@GravelEater ater The C portenschlagiana will bully out the other campanulas so something to remember when planting. To ensure that plants are well hydrated put them in a bucket cover compost with water and wait for the air bubbles to stop. I would wait now if I were you in order to extend the flowering season it would be worth while checking out something for late summer early autumn flowering maybe.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Posts
@GardenerSuze
I get your point, we've started on a formal plan and should probably try to somewhat adhere to that aesthetic.
The emerald 'n' gold Euonymus were all cuttings from one cheap plant. We were going to just clip these to irregular 18"/45 cm ish mounds.
The 'white spire' Euonymus won't grow too wide anyway and will only get to around 2 ft./ 60 cm.
It's surprising, measuring 4 ft of planting depth seems like a lot, but once even small pots are popped in the middle of it that space shrinks.
Offering up really only such a narrow edge for something is a bit tight, but we'll see how we go.
I have considered painting the visible edging (why didn't I think of that before laying it into the ground?) but I doubt it'll be necessary and it'll probably look worse.
What I might do, is to get a selection of these ground covering plants, put them into pots and see what they look like and how they behave. I don't mind a little more upkeep for a season or two to get a feel for them. In the mean time, the bulk bag of gravel has been ordered to fill the area. I'll add another strip of weed liner so that it's easier to get the gravel back up to plant future ground/edging covering plants.
Thanks all, interesting thoughts.
If you invest in a selection of plants, you may find that some of them can split in the autumn. It is a difficult time at present for planting at the moment due to drought and very dry air you will need to take special cre of anything you buy.
Plants such as Iberis may not be at the GC's at present as they won't be looking their
best, they flower so early in the year. Campanulas and Thymes should be available and the advantage you will be able to put them along side a Euonymous to see if you like the combo whilst you are there. One plant I didn't mention and yes you may hate it is Ophiopogon nigrescens. Neat slow growing and evergreen, good in all but very dry conditions.
Hope I have given you a few thoughts. Suze.
PS Some of the flowering times you have given seem a little late to me maybe the dry weather.
Good call, seasonal stock at plant centres could be an issue. Though the local one to me does seem to have off season stuff knocking about. Worth a mooch about in there soon.
We did have a black grass some long while ago. I've seen some good examples of it's use, edging both sides of a long path with strong thick planting behind. I don't think it'll look great in my situation. Though it's fairly popular as edging of some form, I just don't like it. Each to their own (there'll be lots of folks that don't like our gardens ...).
This year's weather is just plain bonkers. I'm too far East to have picked up much of the rain at all. We're running low on our collected rain water reserves, so plants will just have to lump it with hard tap water.
Thanks
I seem to recall I saw some Iberis at my local GC a few weeks ago, chopped back looked a mess, reduced but fine.
I agree what we plant is a reflection of our personality and we should always grow what we like. There are so many plants to choose we are lucky.
Any plants in small pots, that are really suffering, can be plunged in a bucket of water to cover the compost wait for air bubbles to go then you know they have had a good soak.
Hope you find some bargains I am sure they are about as GC's and Nurseries.
Campanula:
C. Portenschlagiana Clockwise 'Deep Blue' (purple) and 'White Blush' (white) both Summer flowering. Evergreen.
C. Carpatica 'Deep Blue' (purple/blue larger blooms) Summer flowering, I think it's deciduous, unfortunately. Meh, £2!
C. Cochlearifolia 'Jingle Blue', which may or may not be. If it is, then it's a Spring/Summer flower, purple again. Maybe semi-evergreen.
C. Ambella - looks to be a Portenschlagiana variant. Evergreen, repeat flowering over a long period. Purple pastel hues of colour.
Phlox Subulata:
'McDaniels Cushion' (pinky purple) April-May flowering, evergreen.
'Fabulous Blue' (violet/white with blue centre) May-June flowering, evergreen.
Saxifraga x Arendsii 'Purple Carpet', (pink-purple) May-June flowering, evergreen.
Was informed that Iberis were available, now out of season. We were just mooching around to see what was available and to get a feel in person for foliage types. Saw some very interesting things, but resisted impulse purchase. Came home, looked online and felt relieved to not have bought some plants that simply wouldn't work for us around the gardens.
I would wait now if I were you in order to extend the flowering season it would be worth while checking out something for late summer early autumn flowering maybe.