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Reestablishing overgrown bed

ThistleandroseThistleandrose Posts: 17
in Garden design
Hello,
I have a mini terrace area in my garden which has been neglected the last couple of years due to family illness and then multiple bereavements.

It has now become pretty overgrown and alot of self seeded plants in it.
I have mainly dug out a few weeds every now and then and that is about it.

What's the best approach to tidy it up, should I dig out everything and plant back less and move the extras to the rest of the garden?
How to store those that get dug up as this will not be a 1 day project for us.

There is a huge amount of cornflowers and granny bonnets which I love so never dig them up, but I think there is now too much of them for any other plants.
It looks best in May and then a bit rubbish all summer.

Plants in the bed
Right
Cornflower very dense
Granny bonnets all over
Grass
Lavender
Curry plant
Snakes head fritillary
Borage
Aubrichia
A tulip
Poppy's in the summer
Grape hyacianths

Left
Crococosmia 
Cornflower
Cowslips
Patio rose
Pinks
Tulips
Grape hyacianths 
Big purple plant
Some others I can't remember 

Thank you in advance.







Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Personally l would start a section at a time and dig everything out * with the exception of the patio rose.
    * If there are things that you know you want to keep, then just weed around them.
    The granny's bonnet (Aquilegia) you can just thin out, if you have the means you could pot them up.
    The big purple plant l think is Erysimum probably Bowles Mauve.
  • ThistleandroseThistleandrose Posts: 17
    Thank you a section at a time could work better.
    I didn't realise I could pot some, that could work well until there is space in another bed for them to live in.

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited April 2023
    @Thistleandrose Having looked at your plant list you have very few plants that flower in high summer.
    Aquilegias do seed everwhere often they are just a dull purple but they do flower at the end of spring which is useful.

    What you need to decide is do you want borders that are more on the wild side or would you prefer to get things more organised. Do you look at this border in the winter, you do have a Hebe but more evergreens might work too. This will give some structure.

    When you have a central path you can repeat the plants on each side to bring things together this stops the borders looking 'bitty'. So clear the weeds and Aquilegia seedings and then lift and split some favourites clearing any weed from roots and replant and water well until established. With less weeds you will have the chance to plant some more summer flowering plants

    If you still feel it's a bit of a muddle, in the autumn create a nursery bed elsewhere if that is possible. Remove the plants and spend time clearing these borders with a view to replanting next spring. This will give you a chance to spot some of those weeds that have set seed.

    If you decide to do this now you will need to water well during the summer months whilst the plants resettle. Thngs are really growing now so only a 'short window' if you don't want things flopping everywhere. 
     

    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • ThistleandroseThistleandrose Posts: 17
    @GardenerSuze thank you for the advice. You are exactly right, there is not alot of summer flowering so it often looks a bit sad in summer when it should be brighter. I'm going to look out for some high summer plants and put some in.
    I see it all year round but use the garden alot less in winter. I like the idea of evening the two sides out to be more balanced.
    I have removed all the grass and dandelions so I'll thin out the seedlings next and create space for the newer plants.

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    The erysmum BM has come to the end of its attractive life. Take some cuttings and pull it out. They are very fast growing. 
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Thistleandrose If you decide to add more plants I would consider not only the flowers but also the leaves which can give you different shades of green/ texture and shape.

    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • ThistleandroseThistleandrose Posts: 17
    Here is an update so far. Still some work to go and will be on the lookout for summer flowers too.




  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Thistleandrose What a big improvement you have been working hard. Now you can properly appreciate what you are growing. I love your garden very pretty with a natural look too. It is all about editing to keep it natural but not out of control. A' fine line' but a great start.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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