Salvia Amistad here in Dordogne, as I have found, although a lovely plant, grows very tall and leggy, too tall for that bed. Salvia Wendy's wish is a purply pink and much bushier and more compact. I'm pleased with the six I got from the firm I get my plug plants https://www.jardinexpress.fr/ They have a spring and an autumn catalogue.
I'm not keen on white beds that are solely white, I think a touch of another colour, such as purple, stops it looking flat. But I like perennial beds that are a mixture so that you get flowers in 3 seasons, also I like a mix of colours best. You often find that the pastel colours flower together in spring, for example, and reds and yellows are out in autumn so that your bed changes colour.
If you are finding it hard to find the plants you want in French GCs have a look at this mail order firm. My plants all arrived in good condition, they weren't that big but were a lot bigger than Jardiland's usual perennial range. http://www.promessedefleurs.com/vivaces.html you can ask both firms to send a printed colour catalogue too.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Thanks BL for the plant suppliers details, will be looking at those. The nursery I went to on that Open Day by invitation only did have some lovely salvias and he is on St. Yrieix market every fortnight, but he was quite specialised with lots of the same thing, nice to find another source.
With all the other beds being full of colour, and also have noticed a lot of repetition where things have obviously been divided, I am just looking for something a bit different. As the bed is so small to would be nice to get a few really 'snazzy' turn your head plants in it.
We'll see how it turns out. Getting excited because my new roses for the other new bed will be arriving soon too.
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
I plant annuals among the perennials, keeps the colour going as they have such a long flowering season. Salvia farinacea is good as it looks more like a perennial, which I suppose it is really, but it's used as an annual. Some of the annual rudbeckias, such as Tiger Eye, I buy as plugs and put in the flower beds. Then when they die down in November I dig them up and plant tulips.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
I agree with Hogweed. That's probably not where you'd put a bed if you had the choice, smack bang in front of the tree. I'd actually go as far as considering moving the Magnolia as well, and if not leaving it entirely empty, having a nice stone feature there instead of a bed/shrub.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
Actually there is some sort of access point to the fosse septic in the middle of this patch, probably why it was created in the first place, so that is another reason to do something with it other than grass it over.
Anyway, here is my Plan A, maybe a few too many, but can think about it, is only Plan A.
Nicotiana x sanderae 'Fragrant Cloud' - Star like flowers
Dicentra spectabilis f. alba - Arching Stems, fern like leaves
Malva moshata alba - Bowl like flowers and fern like leaves
Dianthus 'Haytor White' - Fringed flowers and grey/green foliage -
Lavandula angustifolia 'Baby White - Small spiked flowers, evergreen grey foliage
Campanula carpatica White Clips - Cushion forming, bell like flower
Cerastium tomentosum - Star like flowers, felt leaves
Salvia argentea - Downy silver foliage
Hosta 'Fire and Ice' - Varigated Leaf
Tried to mix it up with shapes and textures and got some nice fragrances too. Will have to add some winter flowering pansies or something to get it through the winter and a whole host of white bulbs for the following spring (2016), too late now, will start off with what I have and turn ‘white’ from May onwards.
If anyone knows of any particular difficulties with any of these choices (or you are laughing your socks off at the idea), please let me know. I have drawn a little plan, all colour coded and stuff, but couldn't get it on here. Will probably end up nothing like anyway.
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
All sounds beautiful but what about the magnolia? It's yellow didn't you say? And on Monty programme last night they did show about seven different plants is good number for new bed design? Maybe narrow down to the ones that have yellow centres or tinges? Did you see the tip about how much space you would actually have for new plants?
Lily of the Valley, of course. Will have to whittle down if nothing else because of the budget (v. small).
Magnolia is yellow but it didn't flower for very long. Some of the plants did have a bit of yellow on, I will dbl check that again to be sure, choices, choices.
Going to look at yellows and creams tonight too, build up another picture in my mind.
Here is pic of 'proposed bird bath - think the same green as tree seat - OH v. clever when he puts his mind to it (creep, creep). Got all excited it was so cheap, 9.95, but that was just for the design and instructions. It will be perfect to stand on the access point to the septic thingy, that is a bit raised, so the birds will be able to find it - thank you Lily.
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
Posts
Salvia Amistad here in Dordogne, as I have found, although a lovely plant, grows very tall and leggy, too tall for that bed. Salvia Wendy's wish is a purply pink and much bushier and more compact. I'm pleased with the six I got from the firm I get my plug plants https://www.jardinexpress.fr/ They have a spring and an autumn catalogue.
I'm not keen on white beds that are solely white, I think a touch of another colour, such as purple, stops it looking flat. But I like perennial beds that are a mixture so that you get flowers in 3 seasons, also I like a mix of colours best. You often find that the pastel colours flower together in spring, for example, and reds and yellows are out in autumn so that your bed changes colour.
If you are finding it hard to find the plants you want in French GCs have a look at this mail order firm. My plants all arrived in good condition, they weren't that big but were a lot bigger than Jardiland's usual perennial range. http://www.promessedefleurs.com/vivaces.html you can ask both firms to send a printed colour catalogue too.
Thanks BL for the plant suppliers details, will be looking at those. The nursery I went to on that Open Day by invitation only did have some lovely salvias and he is on St. Yrieix market every fortnight, but he was quite specialised with lots of the same thing, nice to find another source.
With all the other beds being full of colour, and also have noticed a lot of repetition where things have obviously been divided, I am just looking for something a bit different. As the bed is so small to would be nice to get a few really 'snazzy' turn your head plants in it.
We'll see how it turns out. Getting excited because my new roses for the other new bed will be arriving soon too.
I plant annuals among the perennials, keeps the colour going as they have such a long flowering season. Salvia farinacea is good as it looks more like a perennial, which I suppose it is really, but it's used as an annual. Some of the annual rudbeckias, such as Tiger Eye, I buy as plugs and put in the flower beds. Then when they die down in November I dig them up and plant tulips.
I agree with Hogweed. That's probably not where you'd put a bed if you had the choice, smack bang in front of the tree. I'd actually go as far as considering moving the Magnolia as well, and if not leaving it entirely empty, having a nice stone feature there instead of a bed/shrub.
Hogweed & WillDB you are spoiling all my fun.
Actually there is some sort of access point to the fosse septic in the middle of this patch, probably why it was created in the first place, so that is another reason to do something with it other than grass it over.
Anyway, here is my Plan A, maybe a few too many, but can think about it, is only Plan A.
My Plan A List for a White Flower Bed
Allium Mount Everest - Tall Globular
Delphinium ‘Snowgoose’ - Tall Spires
Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' - Tall Clump Daisy
Leucanthemum 'Old Court' - Frilly Daisy
Nicotiana x sanderae 'Fragrant Cloud' - Star like flowers
Dicentra spectabilis f. alba - Arching Stems, fern like leaves
Malva moshata alba - Bowl like flowers and fern like leaves
Dianthus 'Haytor White' - Fringed flowers and grey/green foliage -
Lavandula angustifolia 'Baby White - Small spiked flowers, evergreen grey foliage
Campanula carpatica White Clips - Cushion forming, bell like flower
Cerastium tomentosum - Star like flowers, felt leaves
Salvia argentea - Downy silver foliage
Hosta 'Fire and Ice' - Varigated Leaf
Tried to mix it up with shapes and textures and got some nice fragrances too. Will have to add some winter flowering pansies or something to get it through the winter and a whole host of white bulbs for the following spring (2016), too late now, will start off with what I have and turn ‘white’ from May onwards.
If anyone knows of any particular difficulties with any of these choices (or you are laughing your socks off at the idea), please let me know. I have drawn a little plan, all colour coded and stuff, but couldn't get it on here. Will probably end up nothing like anyway.
All sounds beautiful but what about the magnolia? It's yellow didn't you say? And on Monty programme last night they did show about seven different plants is good number for new bed design? Maybe narrow down to the ones that have yellow centres or tinges? Did you see the tip about how much space you would actually have for new plants?
Did you order the bird bath?
Won't be room for any birds to land!
Sounds lovely, I have a few of those you mention but I think they will grow much better with you. What about some Lily of the Valley? (Convularia)
A A Milne
Lily of the Valley, of course. Will have to whittle down if nothing else because of the budget (v. small).
Magnolia is yellow but it didn't flower for very long. Some of the plants did have a bit of yellow on, I will dbl check that again to be sure, choices, choices.
Going to look at yellows and creams tonight too, build up another picture in my mind.
Here is pic of 'proposed bird bath - think the same green as tree seat - OH v. clever when he puts his mind to it (creep, creep).
Got all excited it was so cheap, 9.95, but that was just for the design and instructions. 
It will be perfect to stand on the access point to the septic thingy, that is a bit raised, so the birds will be able to find it - thank you Lily. 