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Ideas b

Keith-16Keith-16 Posts: 67
in Plants
I carry out voluntary work at the local cricket club and they have asked me to improve the look of a few tired looking flower beds at the entrance 
I was thinking of some shrubs which flower and some evergreen shrubs which provide colour all the year round 
The cocker season is mid April to mid September so most of the colour needs to be at that period but the club is used for functions during the winter so the beds need to look nice then 
The area is not massive so the shrubs need to be fairly moderate in size 
As watering is not always possible because we are not always there the shrubs need to be fairly drought resistant 
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  • Keith-16Keith-16 Posts: 67
    My heading should have read ideas needed and a final paragraph asking for help 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited August 2022
    @Keith-16 Is it possible to post a photo so that there is an idea of scale. Which way do the beds face and can you give information on what the soil is like. Lots of questions but necessary to get the best information. Will maintenance be carried out such as weeding or do you plan to mulch the soil.
     Not a good idea to plant anything in a drought situation. Best to wait until Autumn and then after good rainfall. Shrubs may need to be watered regularly for up to a year including the winter months if this dry weather continues. Repeating the same plant in a border can tie it together. Hope this gives you a start, you may like to consider some ornamental grasses too.
    Sorry I do seem to just write as I think
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    where are you, Keith?
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    Woody salvias, fuchsias, osteospermum, lavender.. all low maintenance, long flowering, and will fill out quickly.
  • Keith-16Keith-16 Posts: 67

    Hi

    I am in West Lancashire 

    I have just inherited this “task” yesterday so I do not have any photos at the moment 

    I took a quick look late yesterday afternoon 

    The beds are raised beds 

    I think that they face North and East 

    There is a thin layer of very fine gravel  around the small number of existing shrubs / plants 

    I had a poke around and the person perviously in charge had inserted a membrane which is very much intact 

    I am only in the planning what to do stage  so there will be no planting for a while as the weather is too dry 

    Just thinking about what to buy 

    The project is only smallish and  the budget is modest 

    I think about 15 to 20 shrubs would be enough 

    I also think that when planted I should recommend that new gravel should be added 

    The raised beds are made of breeze block I think and are painted with white masonry paint which is looking tired 

    The walls will be painted afresh 

  • Keith-16Keith-16 Posts: 67
    I do other gardening jobs around the outfield but this is an extra just thrown out to me 
    it is not a big project so I would like to finish it before the season ends which is 17 September 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Keith-16 I think a photo is probably the next best thing when possible. North and East facing you may not get alot of sun unless the beds are open. Possibly plant in groups in uneven numbers of the same plant. If you want to consider the winter months using and repeating evergreens and some deciduous plants throughout the space will form a strong skeletal shape. Grasses like Calamagrostis Karl Foester planted in groups will stand tall all winter cut back in February and off they grow again. 
    Visit Knoll Gardens web site for photos. Soil conditions and soil improvement are very important too. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Keith-16Keith-16 Posts: 67
    Thank you 
    I will try to get some photos 
    I am not sure how to upload them
    inhave just turned 80 and whilst I am reasonably OK with technology I am not sure how to upload 
    I have poked around under the membrane and would say the soil is dry and powdery 
    There is no water point nearby and my visits are infrequent - mainly when matches are on at weekend 
    I live about 4 miles away from the ground 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Keith-16 I had to look after a very expensive tree for my local garden club many years ago. I set up a watering rota with the help of members.
     I am the last person to ask regarding uploading photos. It is accepted that they may be upside down or sideways, so no worries. Some kind forum member will try to turn them. If soil is dry and powdery it sounds as if it is in need of some nourishment. Everything needs help when newly planted and that amount of time is increasing. I would be cautious about planting lots of plants of any type unless watering is in place.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Keith-16Keith-16 Posts: 67
    I have taken photos but I don’t know how to upload them

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