This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Made a plan, Hebacious border for next year
Perki
Posts: 2,527
While it been raining none stop the boredom set in, I have got round to finishing my plan for the moment 
on the Herbaceous border.
Some plants are already planted about half, I am going for more clashing colours, most plants are for flowering mid summer to autumn.
I got loads of alliums to plant here there and everywhere, dahlia and foxglove to be planted in any spaces if there is any.
This is the border far left this spring after I decided to rip the pear tree out, not one pear I had off it that's why it met the wood chipper 
. Them daffs dont have look a bit odd 
.
The plan, hopefully it be clear enough
Any hints/tips or different ideas welcome 
0
Posts
I think you have chosen some lovely plants too. I agree with Verdun about not planting in threes though. Lots of books and garden magazines advise it but it can be very expensive. I would fill gaps with annuals and divide the plants as they get bigger. I also agree with Verdun about Veronicastrum, a lovely plant for the back of a border But I do think you already have quite a lot of height at the back of your border.
One thing I am wondering though is that you have a big variety, a lot of plants. I think you may run out of space for them all when they have grown on a bit. Also it is good to have a few repeats in a border, gives more impact and balance.
Have you checked how big,tall and wide your chosen plants will grow, there seems a lot there for 21' border.I also would say that three rule needn't apply in a small border.
Have you considered a wavy edge instead of straight, the reason I say this is because I have done just that, 100' long by 6' 6 " I don't like it now, looks to regimental. I much prefer my curved beds.
Thanks for the ideas
Bowles Maurve lovely plant I got one in the front garden I took some cutting but where to put it
Tulips on the list
I didnt notice that Verdun with the veronica - salvia - aster thanks saved me from asking myself next year why did I put that there
The picture with the daffs in, this border is in partial shade. I have helibores - astrantias - astiblies - hosta - camilia - monkhood royal flush - heuchera ( I forgot about them ) actea james crompton just below where the dicentra planted ( 19 on plan ) from the dicentra up it get full sun nearly all day, I thought the Actea would lose a bit of colouring on the foliage and sulk if I planted it in full sun. I did like what Verdun did though, actea brunette with rudbeckia goldsturm around it.
My aim is a herbaceous perennial border with as much flower power as possible from early summer onwards to the first frost. It would be ideal to have more shrubs but I didn't think I get the impact I want with bulky shrubs take up valuable space, I took exception to the physocarpus because of the foliage colour and upright growth. I know it look a bit sad for 5-6months of the year, hopfully my other borders will fill the void.
My kniphofia timophy only grow about 2 foot this year I am going to use that for now, I think it look really good with the monarda / physocarpus in the background. I might swap it round with the aquilegia green apples.
some plants will be planted in 2s and 3s but most are plants I bought and split to save money.
I got a veronicastrum pink glow in a pot, I didnt know where to plant it .
I am a bit worried about that busy lizzie do I have enough space. I was originally going for repetition but got greedy ( more plants
) and want for repetition in colour instead.
Thanks again for more ideas and for reading my essay
I swaped verbena B out for delphinium, I cant resist a delphinium, and my Verbena B this year wasnt very see through at all more like an VB edge.
I dont fancy a curve at the moment, I like my lawn a lot