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This is my long narrow border,what planting will work after the tulips?

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  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited October 2022
    Plantminded:  Good idea to integrate a formal-ish, colourful, seasonal planting with an otherwise naturalistic planting.  Is it seaside?  Although, I have jst noticed - Wirral; never far away from the coast.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • No, Im in Yorkshire.. near the Yorkshire Dales.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Plantminded Your garden is looking beautiful, love the pop of orange and red in the foreground. Where would we be without grasses especially C Karl Foerster! There are very few plants that can look good for such a large part of the year.

    If we continue with such dry summers I am sure more gardener's will grow grasses
    I am always looking for new ones I have about twelve altogether. Other favourites include Molinia 'The Rocket 'which will turn a lovely golden colour in the coming weeks. 
    Also Stipa Gold fontane, and Miscanthus Flamingo both lovely but not always available.

    None of them do so well as Calamagrotis Karl Foester or C Overdam in the winter months they cope with everything. I often think that I am continuously recommending  grasses and you probably think the same but with good reason!

    Last week I purchased Sesleria autumalis from Chatsworth new to me. I've planted it with a variegated Ivy called Hedera Ice Cream, pleased with the look.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    bédé said:
    Plantminded:  Good idea to integrate a formal-ish, colourful, seasonal planting with an otherwise naturalistic planting.  Is it seaside?  Although, I have jst noticed - Wirral; never far away from the coast.
    Thank you @bede, yes there’s lots of water nearby!  The free draining, sandy soil here seems to suit grasses and l find that a few bulbs and perennials to add seasonal colour make the garden easy to manage!


    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Thank you @GardenerSuze, yes, like you, I’m a fan of all ornamental grasses!  I’ve just added some Sesleria  autumnalis too and have started using Hakonechloa in difficult shady areas beneath trees and alongside steps. I agree that Calamagrostis Karl Foerster is a stalwart, it doesn’t mind dry soil or wind and keeps the garden interesting in winter.
    Enjoy your new plants!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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