I agree with KT53 re garden designers. I grow what I like, not what someone tells me I should like. For the same reason, I don't read literary novels, because they bore me to tears, but I do read and enjoy genre novels without any feeling of guilt or inferiority. If a literary critic looks down on me, tough. I don't care enough to even look down on him/her. Ditto designers.
I tend to choose plants within the colour palette I like and it makes them (in my opinion, which is what counts on my patio) go well together.
There are design principles, but they are not rules: rules are dumbed down, oversimplified design principles applied to one situation and then broadcast as the only right way to do design. In my opinion this is what leads to soulless, impersonal designs (and books).
There is not a written rule on how many different plants you can have in your garden. It is down to individual preferences. Most of my perennial plants are in drifts of 3, 5 or 7 plants of the same species. That is my preference. I would think most people would possibly use the the same plant in their garden if they work with the sort of soil they have
One day I will move to the country side and buy my dream house with five plus acres and plant gardens like a designer with a few varieties in each garden but lots of gardens sectioned off so i can have lots of different plants. but for now i am cramming in everything into a town garden and lots of pots.
I will move , i will section the garden off , but realistically not sure if i am chique enough for designer gardens with a few varieties in each.
I seem to recall the original comment was about limiting the number of plants in one bed but, as ever, a garden can be many things and some are only as big as one bed in someone else's garden.
I do think it's a good idea to limit the different plants and play with colours and texture in blocks or drifts rather than "dot" planting where everything gets lost in the melée. 3 of one plant looks so much better than one each of three plants in the same space especially if space is tight.
However, it is our own garden situation and our own taste and our own budget and skills that must rule and not what anyone else thinks or says. We can always re-arrange plants and swap them in and out till happy with the result.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I love all these answers, very encouraging! my garden's too small to have drifts of anything so I just go with the 'bung 'em in and hope for the best' attitude.
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I agree with KT53 re garden designers. I grow what I like, not what someone tells me I should like. For the same reason, I don't read literary novels, because they bore me to tears, but I do read and enjoy genre novels without any feeling of guilt or inferiority. If a literary critic looks down on me, tough. I don't care enough to even look down on him/her. Ditto designers.
I tend to choose plants within the colour palette I like and it makes them (in my opinion, which is what counts on my patio) go well together.
There are design principles, but they are not rules: rules are dumbed down, oversimplified design principles applied to one situation and then broadcast as the only right way to do design. In my opinion this is what leads to soulless, impersonal designs (and books).
Soooooo many plants soooooo little time!
lol
I should add to my previous comment that I'm aware that there are people who enjoy literary novels or designer gardens. Fine with me, tastes differ.
I choose my plants very carefully Verdun because I have a small garden, I have nothing that looks dead and messy for ages.
I like evergreens, things that look structural even when 'over' and lots of May to October plants.
All spring bulbs are now in pots as I haven't got space for dead leaves to go brown.
Always a good idea
One day I will move to the country side and buy my dream house with five plus acres and plant gardens like a designer with a few varieties in each garden but lots of gardens sectioned off so i can have lots of different plants. but for now i am cramming in everything into a town garden and lots of pots.
I will move , i will section the garden off , but realistically not sure if i am chique enough for designer gardens with a few varieties in each.
I seem to recall the original comment was about limiting the number of plants in one bed but, as ever, a garden can be many things and some are only as big as one bed in someone else's garden.
I do think it's a good idea to limit the different plants and play with colours and texture in blocks or drifts rather than "dot" planting where everything gets lost in the melée. 3 of one plant looks so much better than one each of three plants in the same space especially if space is tight.
However, it is our own garden situation and our own taste and our own budget and skills that must rule and not what anyone else thinks or says. We can always re-arrange plants and swap them in and out till happy with the result.
I love all these answers, very encouraging! my garden's too small to have drifts of anything so I just go with the 'bung 'em in and hope for the best' attitude.