@GardenerSuze thank you for the advice, I can imagine that if I can get hold of a large plant I’d be tempted to chop it up too much, so that’s helpful!
@Golarne I have seen Calamagrostis Karl Foerster used in so many different ways. A few years ago Gardener's World showed a very simple landscaped garden. It featured a long narrow border backed by a red brick wall. A row of about 12 plants were used, a perfect plant for a difficult spot. They blew in the breeze and the flowers were the perfect colour against the wall.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I have nearly got through the 'pan' in all the borders. Just a small area to do, I have been digging out clay all morning a bit like Marathon running when you hit' the wall' according to OH. The last area seems the most difficult.
This border will be planted with five plants of Molinia torch spaced out at intervals. The planting in between is a mix of Erigeron Lavender Lady and Ophiopogon planiscaphus nigresens. It will be sparse, choosing plants that won't encroach the lawn isn't easy. Lots of lifting and splitting in the future. I did think of adding evergreens but the fact that the garden has been so wet has made me stop to evaluate. At the bottom of the photo and close to the house are a plants from my old garden. I have used a whole bag of grit here and they are enjoying the south facing aspect. They include Origanum Foxleys,Origanum Bellisimo[ so pleased to get this through the wet winter] Sisyrinchium Rocky Point,Origanum Herrenhausen plus a creeping thyme name unknown.
The plan now is to add some really vibrant woody salvias to the pot, to give flower throughout summer. The Calamagrostis is small but it is there only to add height.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I have really enjoyed your posts and threads @GardenerSuze. I hope things burst into growth this spring, and maybe see you on GC. Thanks for your ideas and advice. 💐
Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus
I have nearly finished the planting. Photo one is the North facing border, the white label in the foreground marks an Actea simplex Atropurpurea for height, if the slugs don't find it first! Photo two is the North facing border from the other end. Some things have been planted that will need to be moved in the future, no getting around this but all adds to future fun. In fact I am now looking forward to the pottering about after all my hard work.
Photos three and four show the garden just as you walk through the gate. Year one in a new garden is all about bulking up the plants. Areas which seem flat will have the addition of some tall annuals to fill them out. I have planted lots of grasses which will also give height year one, plus Verbena bonariensis which seem to be doing well, [think I will need to keep some seed]. Other tall plants are the Verbascum bombycifererum . I have always loved tall plants in a small space, a lady I worked for would say it's because I am tall bless her!
I have various Tradascantias as house plants, so easy from cuttngs, lots of T Purple Heart which is great as a fillers for the raised beds if planted out in June. Another favourite of mine Tagetes patula Linnaeus Burning Embers.... I just love the colour.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@Plantminded That's the plan but I have just come up with a new idea for a long lawn at the side of the house[we are on a corner plot]. Wouldn't this make a great herbaceous border? Repeat planting lots of daisies and grasses. Mustn't tell OH he wants me to do less gardening but my imagination is taking over, a great project, I can just see it, and no 'pan' as the builders removed it, Hooray!
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Posts
This border will be planted with five plants of Molinia torch spaced out at intervals. The planting in between is a mix of Erigeron Lavender Lady and Ophiopogon planiscaphus nigresens. It will be sparse, choosing plants that won't encroach the lawn isn't easy. Lots of lifting and splitting in the future. I did think of adding evergreens but the fact that the garden has been so wet has made me stop to evaluate. At the bottom of the photo and close to the house are a plants from my old garden. I have used a whole bag of grit here and they are enjoying the south facing aspect.
They include Origanum Foxleys,Origanum Bellisimo[ so pleased to get this through the wet winter] Sisyrinchium Rocky Point,Origanum Herrenhausen plus a creeping thyme name unknown.
Photos three and four show the garden just as you walk through the gate.
Year one in a new garden is all about bulking up the plants. Areas which seem flat will have the addition of some tall annuals to fill them out. I have planted lots of grasses which will also give height year one, plus Verbena bonariensis which seem to be doing well, [think I will need to keep some seed]. Other tall plants are the Verbascum bombycifererum . I have always loved tall plants in a small space, a lady I worked for would say it's because I am tall bless her!
I have various Tradascantias as house plants, so easy from cuttngs, lots of T Purple Heart which is great as a fillers for the raised beds if planted out in June. Another favourite of mine Tagetes patula Linnaeus Burning Embers.... I just love the colour.