@Lizzie27 I do have three small plants of Calamagrostis Eldorado which I could use. C Midwinter fFre is something I have never grown before. Firstly I need to dig down in the empty border to see what is going on. Top soil was just thrown in by land scapers and I added more. At the time I hoped to soak up some of the water following heavy rain. A mistake it needs to be checked out properly first.
The Cornus won't get so much sun further down the garden but I think you might well have a point when it comes to size. Everything has to be considered when it comes to pruning and splitting too in a small space. Also run off when there is heavy rain. Thankyou for your thoughts and encouragement.
Another alternative might be a large 'green blob' of a plant like Prunus laurocerasus Sofia.
I understand that with pruning C Midwinter Fire it is best not to prune as hard as some of the more stronger growing forms?
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I wonder whether a Hydrangea paniculata Limelight might suit that border @GardenerSuze or perhaps an Arbutus unedo. Alternatively a tall, compact grass like Panicum Northwind will give you height and winter interest. I have a group of three on the bank in my lower garden which gets morning sun, seen here behind the bench, just about to flower:
@Plantminded Thankyou I can see from your photo that Panicum North Wind is another consideration. It is the idea of creating height next to what will be an east facing seating area. I want the area to feel slightly enclosed so a very good option. There is also some grey in the brick wall. I have grown it before but it was shy to flower perhaps the area it was planted in was too cold and the flowers didn't have a long enough season to develop?
What is it like in the winter months please?
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@GardenerSuze, I understand now that the pruning advice for Midwinter Fire is not to prune at all for the first two or three years whilst it's getting established, then to prune only a couple of shoots each year, down to the ground.
@Plantminded Just seen a photo on line of P North Wind covered in snow and retaining it's height. I do have to remember that I have the second P Henryana to plant here. I like the idea that it will look like a dense block in time.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Some more photos of a group of three P. Northwind in my front garden @GardenerSuze. They remain upright and are not bothered by strong winds, hence the name!
@Plantminded That is very helpful nothing like seeing plants actually growing in a garden to see how they work. I think they are top of the list. I am going to investigate what is going on below ground first. It would be easy to add grit in a border of this size if necessary.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Good, I'm glad the photos helped @GardenerSuze. If you decide it's right, you could always plant something below while the grasses are young just to add extra interest to the border. I have used Ophiopogon and Hebes in the past and may put some Imperata rubra there this year for a contrast.
@Plantminded Yes I will need to consider the gaps this year. Thanks for the ideas will give it some thought. I have dug the whole border over this morning. Again I had to fight my waythrough the 'pan' there was plenty of fine top soil some of which I mixed with the clay which has broken up well. The clay in my old garden was a thick red and was used for making bricks. Here it is a mix of grey clay and a crumbly dry, blue red and grey clay mix which is the 'pan'. This mix has been dry through out all the heavy rain. I think it explains why the garden has been so wet. I am pleased to say the borders that have been worked on are now draining. Hooray! Just a thought is Imperata tender? I have grown it but it always struggled in the winter.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Posts
The Cornus won't get so much sun further down the garden but I think you might well have a point when it comes to size. Everything has to be considered when it comes to pruning and splitting too in a small space. Also run off when there is heavy rain. Thankyou for your thoughts and encouragement.
Another alternative might be a large 'green blob' of a plant like Prunus laurocerasus Sofia.
I understand that with pruning C Midwinter Fire it is best not to prune as hard as some of the more stronger growing forms?
What is it like in the winter months please?
I like the idea that it will look like a dense block in time.
Just a thought is Imperata tender? I have grown it but it always struggled in the winter.