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Planting in three's

pbibiris04257pbibiris04257 Posts: 2
edited October 2023 in Garden design
Hi guys. Ive been designing my garden for a while and find myself changing things around. Im going for a country garden theme with herbacious perenial borders mixed in with shrubs. I get the rule of three, does this usually just apply to the herbaceous plants? Do you follow the same rule for shrubs as well, or is it better to dot a few single specimens of the same type of shrub around? Thanks

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hi @pbibiris04257 - you can certainly do the same with shrubs, but you need the room to accommodate them when at full size, so you'd have to consider their eventual sizes when siting them.  :)
    The structural part of a garden is usually done first - ie shrubs/trees, and then perennials would be added after that. It also depends on the overall look you want and whether you want all year round interest, or are happy to have a lot of empty spaces over winter when deciduous planting dies back.
    Many people like some evergreen planting [shrubs/trees/grasses etc ] to help avoid those bare borders, especially in positions that you see regularly during winter, and there are some perennial plants which also fall into that evergreen category too. They're also useful as boundaries and for filtering wind. Exposed sites will mean some plants will fail as they need some shelter from bad weather. 
    What you choose also depends on your location, climate and soil. Not all plants are happy everywhere in the country. That will also determine eventual sizes of many shrubs and trees, as they're usually slower to mature than most herbaceous planting, so bear that in mind too when choosing     :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    This is quite useful although I would avoid no. 3 (lining up plants into equally spaced rows).

    Instead of that I would have those three plants non-evenly spaced and not in a row. It shows how you can have focal points (or anchor plants) planted singly, and then group smaller plants into 3's, 5's and 7's.

    So typically your shrubs would be the 'anchor plants' and planted singly - although you can consider repeating them throughout the bed to help pull it together. On the other hand you may want to have a real feature plant (e.g. Japanese Maple) as a one-off.

    Arrange Plants In Your Garden - 4 Simple Ways Garden design layout Flower garden plans Garden design plans
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • pbibiris04257pbibiris04257 Posts: 2
    Thanks for the replies. I have a few established stand alone shrubs which sit at the back of the borders. Im trying to introduce some younger shrubs. Three Buddlejas and three choisyas. Wasnt sure if I should plant them in a triangle, or just plant individual specimens as I know buddlejas can get large. I think I'll plant the buddlejas together mid border for maximum effect. Not sure about the choisyas yet... I have a couple Japanese Fatsias, I have plented them on opposite sides if the garden as they will get relatively large, so Im using them as more focal plants. Thanks for the advice though, food for thought.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Just bear in mind that you'll need to get in to the buddleias for annual pruning. 
    Choisyas can also get big, depending on the variety, but they'll take a while to be fully mature  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    You’ll also need to take into account the aspect of your borders, soil quality and preferred conditions for your plants.  For example, Fatsias prefer shade while Buddleias grow best in full sun.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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