Didn't know that about pinching the artemesia out, may be useful as mine is in its first year. I have tried cuttings in the past to no avail, but then I know more since joining forums, and I always know where to ask
The planting combo sounds lovely - may have a go as it is a part of the bed still to be developed ( annuals this year) and I was thinking today I need some purple foliage (not shrub though) any ideas?
What type of coleus have you got, Verdun.? There were some in the seed catalogue that looked like molten lava, all crinkly edged and dark purple and red. I could see that a patch of these in front of something bright yellow would make a nice contrast. Very volcanic, if you know what I mean.
Darmera peltata is a big fave with me - I dont use it as a pond marginal as I find it too rampant, but in heavy soil in the open garden its a fine addition and easy to keep on top of whe you don't have to wade to get to it. Very similar feel to gunnera, but ardy and not so ridiculously huge. Also foliage turns fiery in autumn.
Heuchera 'lime rickey' or 'key lime pie'. Glorious zingy green in shade, ghastly sick yellow in sun. Evergreen and very very tough. Also dead easy to propagate from the teeniest bits. Lovely with euphorbias, dicentras and any of your other typical spring woodlanders. I usually snip the flowers off so I can see wot's behind better.
Bergenia cordifolia. I cant grow hostas - they're eaten before they're fully up in my shady garden of dry stone walls (snail heaven) - so I use bergenia as an evergreen alternative. If you take off old leaves in early spring the fresh growth is lovely and some have gorgeous deep purply flowers as a bonus, as well as the standard pink and white. Luscious in big swathes, with taller, finer-leaved things behind.
Could go on forever. And don't get me started on shrubs, Wintergreen. We'd only make each other worse...
wow - I haven't even heard of half of those. The main perennial plants we use (as we are just starting out and using the plants already in the garden) are wide and varied. But my favourite is the Liliaceae (Ophiopogon planiscapus)'black mondo grass' mixed in with our ferns - but I wish it could be bigger (elephant grass size would be ideal). (a moving in present from Arthur the 'old boy' from next door - thats why it's my favourite).
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That's a beautiful combo Verdun, I'm sold
I like epimediums especially in the Spring when the new foliage grows. They are so handy for difficult shady places.
Not that keen on coleus, it has a sort of a fake look. I will mention hostas! Love them.
I also love my sambucus "Black Lace".
Didn't know that about pinching the artemesia out, may be useful as mine is in its first year. I have tried cuttings in the past to no avail, but then I know more since joining forums, and I always know where to ask
The planting combo sounds lovely - may have a go as it is a part of the bed still to be developed ( annuals this year) and I was thinking today I need some purple foliage (not shrub though) any ideas?
While on subject of artemesia, I also have artemesia Ludoviciana. Is this one I should remove as to rampant?
What type of coleus have you got, Verdun.? There were some in the seed catalogue that looked like molten lava, all crinkly edged and dark purple and red. I could see that a patch of these in front of something bright yellow would make a nice contrast. Very volcanic, if you know what I mean.
For a perennial with purple interesting foliage, try Persicaria 'Red Dragon', just be aware that it can be quite rampant if it likes its position
Darmera peltata is a big fave with me - I dont use it as a pond marginal as I find it too rampant, but in heavy soil in the open garden its a fine addition and easy to keep on top of whe you don't have to wade to get to it. Very similar feel to gunnera, but ardy and not so ridiculously huge. Also foliage turns fiery in autumn.
Heuchera 'lime rickey' or 'key lime pie'. Glorious zingy green in shade, ghastly sick yellow in sun. Evergreen and very very tough. Also dead easy to propagate from the teeniest bits. Lovely with euphorbias, dicentras and any of your other typical spring woodlanders. I usually snip the flowers off so I can see wot's behind better.
Bergenia cordifolia. I cant grow hostas - they're eaten before they're fully up in my shady garden of dry stone walls (snail heaven) - so I use bergenia as an evergreen alternative. If you take off old leaves in early spring the fresh growth is lovely and some have gorgeous deep purply flowers as a bonus, as well as the standard pink and white. Luscious in big swathes, with taller, finer-leaved things behind.
Could go on forever. And don't get me started on shrubs, Wintergreen. We'd only make each other worse...
Bx
wow - I haven't even heard of half of those. The main perennial plants we use (as we are just starting out and using the plants already in the garden) are wide and varied. But my favourite is the Liliaceae (Ophiopogon planiscapus)'black mondo grass' mixed in with our ferns - but I wish it could be bigger (elephant grass size would be ideal). (a moving in present from Arthur the 'old boy' from next door - thats why it's my favourite).
I love my dark purply berberis, it's prickly and the orange flowers smell like gone off wine, but it looks good all year around.