Thanks for everyones suggestions. I have made a list and looked them up. I love that Nandina . The pittospurnun i planted in my back garden, one of the first things I put in and it died, so lovely as it is, I feel a bit wary of it. Had alook at the garden and that part that is up against th porch is really not useful, I am now thinking the Photina, not keen on them but one would brighten up that corner.
That tree looks lovely but I think it will be too close to the house, I have to leave room for occassional caravan parking, otherwise it would be in already, liked it so much.
Would that corner take the Pieris or does it need more sun?
I am also channeling my thinking, I think I will plant some verbena bonariensis to float amongst the reds
I bought Pittosporum Tom Thumb when we went to the Eden Project, loved it there, but it died in the winter. I think you have to live somewhere like Cornwall for it to survive the winter. I also had a lovely red Phormium and that didn't survive the winter either. I have lysimachia, but it may be chocolate, not firecracker (can't remember) and it hasn't been invasive although it has seeded itself in one or two places. My pennisetum died in the winter too. So it just shows what the difference in climate can do. I think Cornwall is ideal, not too cold in winter, not too hot in summer. Here it's extremes. So glad I was in Edinburgh last August when it was 36° here!
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Hmm, Well here sometimes we are classed as SW sometimes as midlands. we seem to get the dryer weather, but it does get colder than elsewhere. Think it must be because we are in the shadow of the hills, less rain (well not last year) but warmer or colder temps. Still just learning about the area
Shame about the pittospurnum - it is lovely and different.
Have spent day digging bed. Is now shaped up to the drain you can see in picture. B***** couch grass
Now I have to make a plant list so that when i am out and about i can buy and eventually plant. Planting won't be straight away cos of Couch grass. need to get on top of that, but it will give me time to improve soil
have looked at that Pink Lady. do you rate that nursery - Brookside?
Thanks for all the help from you all, some plants I would not have considered before.
Have just planned the planting - unfortunately a couple of suggested plants need acid soil, which I don't have.
I am still going between the cotinus and a photinia(sigh)
But have added a weigelia 'Bristol Ruby', lovely dark red flowers. a grass to echo the other side, also not planted, and a couple of perennials that i aim to put on both sides to link them.
Now to price them up()
Anyone know a nursery that will sell say 5 plug perennials a go??
Bjay- I'd go for the Cotinus coz it's easier to keep smallish, if that's what you want. Photinias are pretty fast growers IME so may need more work in the long run, but thed you may want a tree.......J.
Posts
Thanks for everyones suggestions. I have made a list and looked them up. I love that Nandina . The pittospurnun i planted in my back garden, one of the first things I put in and it died, so lovely as it is, I feel a bit wary of it. Had alook at the garden and that part that is up against th porch is really not useful, I am now thinking the Photina, not keen on them but one would brighten up that corner.
That tree looks lovely but I think it will be too close to the house, I have to leave room for occassional caravan parking, otherwise it would be in already, liked it so much.
Would that corner take the Pieris or does it need more sun?
I am also channeling my thinking, I think I will plant some verbena bonariensis to float amongst the reds
I bought Pittosporum Tom Thumb when we went to the Eden Project, loved it there, but it died in the winter. I think you have to live somewhere like Cornwall for it to survive the winter. I also had a lovely red Phormium and that didn't survive the winter either. I have lysimachia, but it may be chocolate, not firecracker (can't remember) and it hasn't been invasive although it has seeded itself in one or two places. My pennisetum died in the winter too. So it just shows what the difference in climate can do. I think Cornwall is ideal, not too cold in winter, not too hot in summer. Here it's extremes. So glad I was in Edinburgh last August when it was 36° here!
Hmm, Well here sometimes we are classed as SW sometimes as midlands. we seem to get the dryer weather, but it does get colder than elsewhere. Think it must be because we are in the shadow of the hills, less rain (well not last year
) but warmer or colder temps. Still just learning about the area
Shame about the pittospurnum - it is lovely and different.
Just looked up that geranium black beauty, WOW - on the list
Have spent day digging bed. Is now shaped up to the drain you can see in picture. B***** couch grass
Now I have to make a plant list so that when i am out and about i can buy and eventually plant. Planting won't be straight away cos of Couch grass. need to get on top of that, but it will give me time to improve soil
have looked at that Pink Lady.
do you rate that nursery - Brookside?
Liking the idea of pink softening the reds, I have a red yellow bed ...I know frowned upon by some ..... Thinking pink and lemon to soften it now
Thanks for all the help from you all, some plants I would not have considered before.
Have just planned the planting - unfortunately a couple of suggested plants need acid soil, which I don't have.
I am still going between the cotinus and a photinia(sigh)
But have added a weigelia 'Bristol Ruby', lovely dark red flowers. a grass to echo the other side, also not planted, and a couple of perennials that i aim to put on both sides to link them.
Now to price them up(
)
Anyone know a nursery that will sell say 5 plug perennials a go??
This may help
http://www.jerseyplantsdirect.com/perennials
Bjay- I'd go for the Cotinus coz it's easier to keep smallish, if that's what you want. Photinias are pretty fast growers IME so may need more work in the long run, but thed you may want a tree.......J.