Arley Hall in Cheshire has two stunning herbaceous borders. There's some photos and plant identities here. I'd recommend adding Lythrum and Echinops to your plan.
@fliprollsw The borders shown in the photos at Arley Hall are not all tall perennials. The photos show shorter plants to the front for a tiered effect. You can however put taller airy plants at the front too for added interest.3 5 and 7 is good but add with a single of the same plant further along for interest. The size that a plant grows can only be an approximate when you buy it. One plant can make 5ft in one type of soil and 6 or 7 ft in another.
Star plants such as Peonies are lovely but the 'work horse' long flowerers are also very important if you don't want a' lull' with no flowers. I cannot imagine success without hardy geraniums and find hate a harsh statement, but each to their own.
A border needs plants that create rhythm and hold the scheme together. Also shades of green and leaf shape needs to be considered. Plant Hemerocallis Crocosmia and Kniphophia together when they are not in flower you have lots of strappy leaves together. It can look a mess.
This is the most intensive form of gardening you can undertake, always changing you need to be one step ahead for success. Oriental Poppies will give you gaps after flowering for instance what do you want to do then. Large perennials have a habit of wandering into each other. Editing and adding is a skill as is spatial awareness.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Appreciate this, but I plan to stake and tie up unruly leaves. Echinacea is another possibility for m3 @GardenerSuze . I’ll maybe edge the front with ageratum/French marigolds/livingstones which I rear by the hundred for my tubs and bedding plant border.
@fliprollsw My favourites Hemerocallis is without doubt H Sammy Russell some are shy to flower. Hope to see some photos maybe at a later date? Annuals are also good to fill gaps as you say year one. Cosmos Rubenza is good if your soil is not too rich. Good Luck
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
You haven't mentioned how big this border is , how wide is it ? You are really going to struggle to get a big impact with a border narrower than 1.5 metre . My entire garden is more a less herbaceous borders so choices are vast . Consider what colours / shape and form of various plants , I'll get rid of plants if I don't like the leaves or at the very least hide it . I hate Rudbeckia Goldstrum leaves so middle to the back off the border it goes . Colour is quite easy unless you want to be strict usually softer pastel colours Spring into summer they are easier to find at that time of year , and hot reds oranges for summer into autumn .
Some plant are always suitable as well completing for space , eremus for example will not tolerate any over hanging plants. Echinacea can get bullied by a more boisterious neighbour.
I wish I had asked that question too @Perki not sure why I didn't. I guess the suggestion of Eremurus made me think of a bigger border.
@fliprollsw A depth of 2m is fine to create an interesting depth of planting. Is it possible to give an idea on the length too? A photo maybe I realise it is on a curve.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Sure I sort a few out and some of garden visits. I should of add succession as well is probably the most important part of a herbaceous border colour from April - November . But I do have to agree with loxley on the previous page about winter interest which I am slowly adding , my garden kind of feels a bit like a desert when everything been cut back . I try and fill the void Feb - April into May with spring bulbs my garden not big enough for lots of strong structure like hedges / topiary other and herbaceous borders sadly. Why do you dislike Geraniums they are some great variety's like Patrica - orion and rozanne and may more .
You've had lots of advice and ideas @fliprollsw but you also asked for photos of our borders, so here are some of mine. Everyone has their likes and dislikes so borders can be quite personal. I like hardy geraniums and geums - unlike you! I mix in some annuals for summer colour. Borders change through the year. These photos are summer.
First lot are photos of my garden in Dordogne, France which I started from scratch. I sold the house to downsize 2 years ago.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
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Star plants such as Peonies are lovely but the 'work horse' long flowerers are also very important if you don't want a' lull' with no flowers. I cannot imagine success without hardy geraniums and find hate a harsh statement, but each to their own.
A border needs plants that create rhythm and hold the scheme together. Also shades of green and leaf shape needs to be considered. Plant Hemerocallis Crocosmia and Kniphophia together when they are not in flower you have lots of strappy leaves together. It can look a mess.
This is the most intensive form of gardening you can undertake, always changing you need to be one step ahead for success. Oriental Poppies will give you gaps after flowering for instance what do you want to do then. Large perennials have a habit of wandering into each other. Editing and adding is a skill as is spatial awareness.
I’ll maybe edge the front with ageratum/French marigolds/livingstones which I rear by the hundred for my tubs and bedding plant border.
Some plant are always suitable as well completing for space , eremus for example will not tolerate any over hanging plants. Echinacea can get bullied by a more boisterious neighbour.
@fliprollsw A depth of 2m is fine to create an interesting depth of planting. Is it possible to give an idea on the length too? A photo maybe I realise it is on a curve.
Why do you dislike Geraniums they are some great variety's like Patrica - orion and rozanne and may more .
First lot are photos of my garden in Dordogne, France which I started from scratch. I sold the house to downsize 2 years ago.