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low maintance plants
HI im doing my neighbours garden up for her as she likes a nice garden but wont spend the time to do it herself and i wont be able to spend the same time looking after it as my own iv dug the boarders and put in some shrubs but i need some summer bulbs that will come up each year and will make the garden look nice but wont need much looking after budget not a problem its win win win for me as i love gardening but not sure what to buy.
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Do they have to be bulbs? Tubers like Dahlias, which I think is the most colourful don't always come up reliably, can be tender, same with cannas. Lilies can be invaded with lily beetle. Why not something easy like perennial geraniums? There is a vast selection of sizes and colours and in the spring you just rake away the dead winter leaves. There are lots of pics on this site.
http://www.plantpref.co.uk/hardy-geraniums.html
see what your saying but i was trying to think outside the box and find a plant that you wont see in every garden like mine ha ha i love Dahlias and geraniums my uncle buys them every year from jersey they are fantastic but could i do better?
Hemerocallis - Day Lilies - lots of different colours, and they spread a bit but not invasive. Virtually look after themselves and they're pretty in a vase too
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
As Dove mentioned, Day Lilies are fantastic. Every spring you just rake/pull off the old dried leaves and you're good to go. Also consider a hardy gladioli or perhaps an iris that would suit the soil type?
Hi Graham, You say your uncle gets geraniums every year. Are you thinking of the pelargoniums - the ones that are tender and often used in hanging baskets? The perennial variety come in lovely blues, whites and pinks and various heights and go really well with roses. Also Alchemilla Mollis goes really well and makes brilliant low maintenance ground cover. I've just bought a few Vinca Minor 'Gertrude jekyll' (perriwinkle) to use as ground cover for an area that is a pain to get into as it's on a steep slope. This plant has evergreen foliage and dainty white star shaped flowers that should keep flowering for much of the year.
I would be tempted to go for low maintenance ground cover. These would all work well with summer bulbs, eg Alliums.
Dove's idea of daylilies is a good one too. They give good ground cover and the leaf colour right now is very fresh and bright.
Our local club is having a special event with Bob Flowerdew talking about 'No Work gardening' that I'm looking forward to on 18th April. I'll let you know if I pick up any tips
Thank-you all for the tips the day Lilies seem popular from all comments at this time with a few extra to consider
The individual Daylily flowers may only last for one day, but my plants flowered the summer through
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
A perennial geranium called Rozanne flowers all summer, right to the frosts. Did you think I meant pelargoniums? Did you look at the link? My day lilies didn't flower all summer - Dove must have a different variety.