Garden makeover - Ericaceous beds
Dan Almond
Posts: 32
Good morning All,
Further to my original post regarding preparation for a new lawn, i have since parked this idea until the weather dries out slightly, instead adopting to prepare new beds/borders (not raised) for planting come the spring. Once beds are prepared, ill begin soil prep on the lawn area.
I am in an area of clay soil, whereby drainage doesn't seem to be a problem. The only thing i've planted in the garden are ornamental grasses and ferns, which thrive.
There a numerous woodland areas close-by which are stuffed with Rhododendrons, which has given my inspiration for these lawn beds. I'm looking for a Himalayan look, with bamboo, rhodos, azaleas, small ferns, blue poppies and fox tails.
I do have 3 questions however, that i would appreciate your input.
- I have yet to test the acidity of the beds. Cost aside, would it be best to amend the slightly clay soils mixing in well rotted manure, or just get rid of the lot and import a couple of tonnes of ericaceous soil straight into the bed.
- I am looking to add height and density to the garden beds. Apart from the plants above, can anyone suggest any further exotic plants that will thrive in a north facing garden and acidic soils. I am looking for am Asian look overall.
- I have yet to schedule the plants im after, but am lost with regarding planting designs. Whats the general idea? I have an area of say 3m x 10m approx. Do i plant in groups, or spread the lot evenly over the area?
New to gardening as the above would suggest, but want to ensure i do it right.
Thanks
John
Posts
Hi John,
we created a bed for acers in front of our shed. The soil there was clay, and we mixed some big bags of ericaceous with the clay and planted 4 acers and one very small rhododendron. All the plants are doing well, they've been in for 4 years now and get better and better.
For 2. You could have an acer to add height to a bed. When we moved in we were lucky enough to find a foot high sapling in the ground which we replanted into its own triangular bed and it has turned into the most spectacular acer. You don't have to buy big, it can grow into the space.
For 3. the rhodos and azaleas could be a drift, with the bamboo as statement plants (remember to get clump forming or it will be rampant) and the ferns, poppies and foxtails dotted here and there. You could also have a variegated-leaved cornus too.
Just keep looking in magazines and books for ideas. Make a scrapbook with all the plants you like in it.
Have a look at the programme Britain's best back gardens, which is on tonight and last weeks one should be on itv player. I think there might have been a japanese style bit of planting in one of them.
Gardenmaiden,
Thank your for your reply. Good to read that working the existing soil has worked in your case. Do you add any sulpher year on year to maintain the PH level?
Acers are a good call, something i missed from the list. Am i right in saying to limit them from the wind. Given the garden in North facing, they wont be subject to the summer south easterly winds etc.
I want a large drift at the back of the bed, but have not previous planted a large border, so will play it by ear i guess. Bamboo comments noted, already researched clump forming ones.
Will do, ill have a look on itv player this evening. Do you suggest any reputable online garden centres, as my local one may struggle to buy such exotic plants.
We haven't added anything to the soil since they went in. Most of my garden is clay, with pockets of chalk and flints. Some plants do really well and some like Echinacea, helenium and monarda don't like it at all, so I may try them in pots.
I forgot about Nandina, and I have one in a pot waiting for its home.
And what about peonies? I just have the non-tree ones.
I have a green bamboo, four black ones and a tiny stemmed red one, which have not done a runner to other areas of the garden. I do have one of those pleiobastus ones and that I will be cutting back to the ground and digging out, just because I don't like it.
I won't beat you up Verdun, everyone is entitled to their opinion on any plant
When you say 'lawn beds' are these island beds, that you can walk all the way around?...if so, you would normally plant the tallest plants in the middle and work outwards towards the edges with smaller varieties...
...I've got a small acid bed... I garden on neutral soil that has been amended in this area, but the original soil is still in situ... I incorporate lots of ericaceous compost at planting and top dress annually... I also feed with appropriate granular fertilizer and sometimes liquid feed during summer.... in my view, no need to cart away all what you've got already...
...for an Asian look, north facing... your tallest plants will be the bamboo, but you can also get short dwarfer forms to fill in as you progress outwards... I would also include some of these, apart from those already mentioned above...assuming you don't live in the Grampians of Scotland...
a Camellia of your choice..
dwarf Rhododendrons, especially the shorter Yakushimanum hybrids, and Azaleas... you can also get Inkarho Rhododendrons for less acidic conditions..
Pittosporum... whilst these are associated with New Zealand, I find their small crinkly foliage works well in Far Eastern associations.... the variety 'Elizabeth' is especially nice I think...
Pittosporum Tobira is of Asian origin...with large luxuriant leafage... whilst usually recommended for sun, these will grow north facing... I've tried it... a bit less hardy...
Fothergilla, is from Japan and likes acid conditions...
Bamboo... stick with clumpers only - avoid all Sasa, Pseudosasa, Pleioblastus, and most Phyllostachys especially Bisettii... also, Yushania, although a clumper it spreads vigorously.....
none of these below will give you problems...and personally I would stick to some of these only...even so, I wouldn't plant any right next to a boundary fence - a few feet in, as you need all round access -
...for the tallest, I would choose Fargesia robusta 'Campbell... others would be Fargesia 'Rufa Green Panda'... for shorter 'Jumbo' or 'Simba'... this last one is quite short with small dainty leafage...the new shoots rise above the old ones so you get a layered effect...
Chusquea coleou, although from South America might be worth considering..
Borinda papyrifera... if you have a sheltered garden, especially in the West, then I would look at this one... similar to Fargesia, a clumper, but especially nice I think.. it's from Yunnan in China...
..Thamnocalamnus 'Kew Beauty'...
...I might also try a Philadelphus, as these are often of Asian origins... the variety 'Beauclerk' is very good.... they don't always need full sun...
..there are also ornamental grasses for shade, like the Japanese forest grass 'Hakonechloa'...'Molinia' or 'Deschampsia' are others I would consider...
...I do find this type of garden bed to be one of the most expensive... the compost, the lime free grit... the fertilizers... the plants... all usually dearer than normal... but there are lots to choose from....
...have fun...best wishes...
...oh my goodness, that was a lot....lol... got carried away,...sorry...
All,
Thank you for your conclusive responses. Plant recommendations have made their way on my plant schedule, i now need to establish how many and exactly which ones i plan on planting, all subject of course to a PH test.
I have dug/cultivated new beds, introducing numerous wheelbarrow loads of well rotted manure to a depth of about 300 mm. Soil is slightly raised, but i would expect this to settle somewhat come the spring. I assume this to be deep enough as i would struggle to go any deeper. Ill probably add a few bags of ericacious soil come the spring if PH levels need reducing.
I have no ideas regarding planting arrangement schemes, but will probably plant in say groups of 5.
Looking forward to warmer weather. Ill report back with Photos before/after planting
Will do Verdun, on the list for tomorrow!
The mass planting is new to me yes, but in for a penny and all that! Ill report back come the Spring