I had a delivery of some Heleniums from Knoll today. The plant label makes no reference to moisture levels or drainage. Labels on plants received from Barnsdale didn’t mention moisture levels or drainage either and the labels on plants from Crocus only had the plant names 🤔.
I have just dug up an osmanthus which has done absolutely nothing for four or five years. And guess what I found. The roots were wrapped in a teabag, which incidentally has not degraded. I think it might be dead but I've released it and potted it up. I used to think it was just the bedding plants that they did it to, but it's shrubs and perennials to.
@punkdoc Yes completely get what you are saying. With a new garden there are lots of new plants always worth thinking of any problems. I love buying new plants it is my favourite gardening pastime.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
It might not be to your taste, but if you wanted to spice up the grasses in spring I added a few clumps of snowdrops mixed with our dark Ophiopogon. Another was a crocus named Zwanenberg bronze which has yellow flowers and dark veins which showed off well with the dark leaves and also supported by the Ophiopogon, which pleased me as crocuses often "fall over" too often with me.
The Oph does take over in the end if it really likes you, but like anything we have to tend, you get a good couple of years worthy display before it needs attending to.
@Rubytoo I have planted some Ophiopogon and Snowdrops by my front door which is black. The idea is there but planting is very sparse at present. It faces North so falling over crocus could be a problem here. However well worth a thought in my new back garden. I am off to the GC next week will see what is there C Zwanenberg Bronze s now in my note book. Thankyou.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Running out of space in the raised nursery borders so decided to make a start on this border. It is viewed from a patio door so year round interest was important Not easy in such a small border, I am used to things on a bigger scale.
It is south east facing heavy, now improved clay at the far end, with pipes and electrics to find near the house all the soil here has been replaced deeply with fine top soil and soil conditioner. A chance for plants that like a free draining soil and sun. I have used some of the plants mentioned earlier and set them out before planting adding some M fungi to the planting holes for the woody plants.
I started with Sambucus Eva at the far end followed by Cornus Midwinter Fire, Hedera Ice Cream and Thuja Whipcord. This gave a 'frame' of plants to work with. To add more evergreen two Euonymous Green Spire an OAP birthday gift.
For the fence I planted Pyracantha Saphyr Rouge x 2 red berries and Parthenocissus Henryana for the wall which will need some attention as it still has it's plastic ties. I have a second of these for the next border down.
Last of all the Pulmonaria Diana Clare with black Ophiopogon on the far corner this will pick up the same plant when the long border is planted. The variegated Calamagrostis Overdam which was suprisingly growing, drifts front to back. Lastly the lovely dark purple flowered Campanula Chloe and some very small plants of Erigeron Lavender Lady.
I tried following 'upright, dome, sprawler' but need more sprawlers perhaps more Erigeron. Also planting for winter interest, autumn colour, a strong skeletal shape such as evergreens and grasses, considered aspect soil, leaf shape and texture, bulbs to follow. Then looked for flowers for the summer months and repeation. I think it's time for a new hobby! Now I need to apply my thoughts to the next border down where the bag is something BIG a few ideas but giving it thought at present any ideas anyone? I think this bit might be expensive but necessary.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
It's looking good @GardenerSuze . I'd think I'd go for another Calamagrostis or the Cornus in that end border. The only caveat being that the Cornus is going to grow big and sprawly which you might not want at the end of that path, although I do just hack mine back at any time when it gets in the way.
Posts
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Quote: .B3 :
I think it might be dead but I've released it and potted it up.
I used to think it was just the bedding plants that they did it to, but it's shrubs and perennials to.
Also: https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1074411/cotinus-wilt#latest
The roots end up being strangled. Perhaps I was unlucky. Will try Crocus and Mac plants next time, probably.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
The Oph does take over in the end if it really likes you, but like anything we have to tend, you get a good couple of years worthy display before it needs attending to.
It is south east facing heavy, now improved clay at the far end, with pipes and electrics to find near the house all the soil here has been replaced deeply with fine top soil and soil conditioner. A chance for plants that like a free draining soil and sun.
I have used some of the plants mentioned earlier and set them out before planting adding some M fungi to the planting holes for the woody plants.
I started with Sambucus Eva at the far end followed by Cornus Midwinter Fire, Hedera Ice Cream and Thuja Whipcord. This gave a 'frame' of plants to work with. To add more evergreen two Euonymous Green Spire an OAP birthday gift.
For the fence I planted Pyracantha Saphyr Rouge x 2 red berries and Parthenocissus Henryana for the wall which will need some attention as it still has it's plastic ties. I have a second of these for the next border down.
Last of all the Pulmonaria Diana Clare with black Ophiopogon on the far corner this will pick up the same plant when the long border is planted. The variegated Calamagrostis Overdam which was suprisingly growing, drifts front to back. Lastly the lovely dark purple flowered Campanula Chloe and some very small plants of Erigeron Lavender Lady.
I tried following 'upright, dome, sprawler' but need more sprawlers perhaps more Erigeron. Also planting for winter interest, autumn colour, a strong skeletal shape such as evergreens and grasses, considered aspect soil, leaf shape and texture, bulbs to follow. Then looked for flowers for the summer months and repeation.
I think it's time for a new hobby!
Now I need to apply my thoughts to the next border down where the bag is something BIG a few ideas but giving it thought at present any ideas anyone? I think this bit might be expensive but necessary.