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Ideas Please
Yviestevie
Posts: 7,066
in Plants
I have an established Gypsophila (Pink Festival)
and I would like to plant a perenial that would grow through it. It is in a central mixed bed and gets a mixture of sun and shade throughout the day. The soil is neutral good loam. I dont want anything over 2ft tall and I need it to compliment the other plants in the bed which range from burgundy/purple to pale pink/white. Any ideas folks. A picture of the bed is below. Since the picture was taken I have moved the orange, yellow and red plants.
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Hi from Kingswinford in the West Midlands
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I don't have a similar flowerbed. Mine are all tattier than that
Will it shade the gypsophila too much if you plant something through it?
In the sticks near Peterborough
What a beautiful bed. I can see Geranium 'Ann Folkard' working nicely. The flowers are magenta with dark eyes, which will complement the purple and pink existing plants. The foliage has a (subtle-ish) yellow tinge, which might complement the Rudbeckia and link it into the other plants if you know what I mean! 'Ann Folkard' flowers over a long period (still going strong now) and, gracefully explores through other plants, but can be hacked back harshly if you want to control her, or generate fresh growth.
Edit - after re-reading your post again! - If you want something to literally grow upwards through the Gypsophila's panicles of flowers, Verbena bonariensis (or bearing in mind your height limit, its smaller cultivar, Verbena b. 'Lollipop') could work.
Scabious? There are pale purple ones, and there are now some dark ones if you want a contrast. Sedums - good for this time of year - there's a good pink called 'Brilliant' which is less dusky than some of the others. Some of the Heucheras or Tiarellas would be happy enough - darker plummy or patterned foliage rather than flower colour, although the Tiarellas have pinkish flowers, and they flower forever
Anne Folkard's a lovely plant. Lots of Geraniums would suit the spot though
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks all, had no idea what the geranium was called, I just bought it because it was pretty, but your right I have hacked at it and it keeps coming back. I had thought about both Lillipop (I have one on the other side of the garden) and a dark purple scabious could be lovely. Once again, thanks for rhe ideas.
Just had a quick look and the geranium isnt flowering in the picture (as I had cut it back) then I realised what you meant. I took the 'I can see' literally. Sorry for the confusion. I have checked out Ann Folkard and she is lovely, very different from the one I have by the bird bath which is much paler.
I think Geranium Bill Wallis would be lovely in that spot and it's tiny purple flowers would compliment your Gypsophila and other plants around. I've grown it for years and can easily keep it in check by dead heading. One of mine is still flowering now.
What a very pretty garden Yvie, love Gypsophlia. Never been lucky with growing it my garden.
Hi LG2, Ill take a look at Bill Wallis. Lily, thanks for the compliment. Never had a problem with Gyp which has suprised me, does it like slightly alkaline soil, or am I dreaming. Mine is just on the acid side of neutral. Plus Ive moved them a few times which I think I read they hate because they have long tap roots.
Graham I'd start a new thread on this as people might not see it on here.