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What to plant in this spot

LatimerLatimer Posts: 1,068
in Garden design
Hi all

So I’m not very happy with this spot with all the Purple Moor Grass. 

Although I like the plant once it’s in full bloom, I find it doesn’t quite have enough presence on its own and I also think the whole bed is a bit one dimensional particularly when it comes to height. So I’m thinking two options, either a shrub that’ll grow to around 1-1.5m (I’d move some of the moor grass elsewhere) or I interplant with something else that perhaps comes up a bit earlier. 

Shrub wise I’m thinking perhaps a pittosporum that could be clipped into a dome? 

Last year I planted a few alliums I picked up but I think I need a lot more, perhaps something like that liberally planted between the moor grass? What ever it was I would want something with plenty of green to fill the big gaps between the grass clumps. 

Any thoughts?

Thanks!




I’ve no idea what I’m doing. 
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Posts

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I’d add something with a different leaf shape and colour to contrast with the grasses in that bed.  A shrub which will add height and a bit more interest is Cotinus. There are green, red and purple leaved varieties. Cotinus Grace is my favourite, it lights up like stained glass in sunlight.  You can grow it as a multi stemmed shrub and prune it or let it grow to tree like proportions.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I think you need something with larger leaves, everything looks a bit grassy. Also imo more height is needed.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I agree with both - it's all a bit samey. 
    Some Irises,  Kniphofia [the nice ones not the species!] Liatris, Fennel etc to give verticals, and some lower perennials with bigger, or variegated, foliage - all depending on the soil/aspect etc. The verticals I  mentioned all prefer a good drainage and a decent amount of sun, although Liatris are fairly adaptable. I'm guessing it's fairly sunny and free draining if you have alliums   :)
    You could get a load of spring bulbs in, later this year, to work with any perennials too, and things like Hellebores to give early variety. Many bulbs will also be fine around and under deciduous shrubs. 

    What are you replacing the Oleander with? That can be a good spot for something with a different leaf shape and habit, plus those bulbs.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    You could try some perennials/ground coverers with really contrasting leaves. Those of Echinops are good, for example, and the plant would add height later. It's always a handy rule of thumb to avoid planting two kinds of plant with similar leaves next to each other. Another useful thing is to include at least 1/3 evergreen material in your planting, especially with shrubs. Imagine if you added a few small clipped shrubs in there among the softness of the planting, to anchor it and provide a focal point. I would think spheres as you have a circular gravel area and table.
  • LatimerLatimer Posts: 1,068
    Hi all

    I agree with everything said so far, it lines up with my thoughts also

    @Plantminded That Cotinus is really nice. I also really like Cotinus coggygria 'Golden Spirit' with the lime green leaves.

    @punkdoc totally agree. I planted all this stuff about 4 years ago and though I've tweaked it a little here and there I've never been that happy with it, particularly the height.

    @Fairygirl I really like the look of the Liatris! Ive got fennel in behind where the Crab Apple is and what looks like about a million seedlings underneath it so wouldn't be too hard to grow them on a bit and pop a couple in.

    The alliums were only planted last autumn so we will have to see how they get on, but it is quite clay-y here. I definitely need to get a lot more bulbs in the ground, it's the one thing I haven't done at all and I can see the benefit they give at this time of year in terms of foliage.

    I haven't decided what to do with the Oleander. I had another thread about is as I thought it was dead, which it mostly is! But I'm going to pot it and put it somewhere more sheltered to see if it survives. In the meantime I haven't really thought about what to replace it with but an Amelanchier or an Acer Griseum were potential options.

    @Cambridgerose12 those Echinops look great also. I've started planting a few varieties of geraniums around as well. Regarding evergreen material, I had the same thought as you regarding domed evergreens, I have pittosporum elsewhere so could introduce another of those?
    I’ve no idea what I’m doing. 
  • LatimerLatimer Posts: 1,068
    FYI this is what makes up the bulk of the plants in the bed:

    Sedum
    		Matrona
    Molinia CaeruleaMoorhexe
    Deschampsia cesptisoaGoldtau
    PerovskiaBlue Spire
    Echinacea
    		White Swan

    I've since added the Spirea and have some verbena b. here and there. Last year I added 3 or 4 geraniums and mexican flea bane, although that has completely died over the winter. I have dug some up that self seeded and potted it on so will hopefully be able to replace it.
    I’ve no idea what I’m doing. 
  • LatimerLatimer Posts: 1,068
    Sorry, just to add, I think the biggest difficulty I have with the way I have set up the beds is that they are all visible from all sides, I have no fence or hedge or boundary that I'm working to. I think that makes the general recommendation of tall at the back and small at the front hard for me to follow.
    I’ve no idea what I’m doing. 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    With island beds to be viewed from all sides you'd put the taller plants towards the middle (not necessarily dead centre because that can look a bit too symmetrical) and the shorter ones nearer the edges. If you google island beds you should find more ideas.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I think you're going in the right direction with your plans.  It's never easy to get everything right first time as you need to see how everything develops, blends with other plants or expires!  Most of my garden borders are visible on four sides like yours, as well as from below and above as my garden is on two levels.  I try to get the views that I see most right, from the patio and kitchen window and then adapt as I go along.  Two small trees in that border will make a difference, then consider the middle height level with the suggestions above.  I also like to include a few evergreens in my borders so that the garden looks alive in winter but too many topiarised plants can look static and a bit dull and you can often loose their flowers or fruit to maintain their shape!  Good luck with your plans!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • robairdmacraignilrobairdmacraignil Posts: 782
    A small tree near the centre of the bed where you are thinking of digging out the Oleander might make it more three dimensional. As JennyJ said if the tallest plant is near the centre then it can be seen from all sides. Maybe a Fuji cherry Kojo no mai or an Euonymous alatus?
    Happy gardening!
    https://www.youtube.com/user/sustainableveg/videos
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