Quick (temporary) fix ideas please.
D0rdogne_Damsel
Posts: 4,184
Hi all,
My OH (who never does any gardening) decided to weed our path using all sorts of things, a blow torch and a ton of weedkiller just for starters. He also decided the lavender which was overhanging was 'a nuisance' and ripped it all out.
So, ignoring the fact I will never speak to him again, I now need a quick fix.
The lavender he pulled out was growing on a fairly steep slope which has got a lot of iris in it so very soon it is going to look a bit bare.
What can I put in there to replace the lavender (temporarily as I am getting cuttings going to replace eventually), as well as being a bit steep it is also a bit stony and poor soil? I think for autumn wallflowers will do well but for now I want some easy and quick summer colour.
Help please - also nothing that will overhang too much or the poor things might get murdered (if OH is ever allowed out in the garden again).
As ever all advice appreciated. 
- “Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
Posts
Oh dear, DD... what are you going to do with him???
Anyway, in the meantime I can see you need some instant colour. Is it a big area? Could you use something cheap and cheerful like pansies, perhaps?
If its a slope you could try some of the campanula portenschlagier (or something like that?) - trails nicely and flowers for a long time.
Or let some trailing lobelia scramble, if you just want an annual fix.
Almost feel sorry for your other half ??
Dianthus deltoides, maiden pink. Revels in hot sun, doesn't mind dry gravelly soil. Flowers nearly all summer. There are pink and white versions, Flashing Light has brilliant red flowers and dark leaves. Forms a wide mat, self seeds.
Thank you for the suggestions, it's quite a large area so I think I will go for a mix of all the above.
Don't even consider feeling sorry for OH Chicky, I'm my eyes he is a plant murderer, no forgiveness there - ever, even though he was trying to "help".
Sounds like my OH.I have to keep a close eye on my narcissus (or just OH when he is outside) for a similar reason
Every sympathy Rainbowfish, he just can't be trusted.
I find that the many varieties of geranium are a quick fix and you will always have cuttings to give to friends or plant swops.They flower for ages and if trimmed back will give a second flush of flowers. Alchemilla Mollis also make a nice edge but care is needed to avoid them seeding all over the place.
I find that husbands are best kept away from the floral section of the garden especially when armed with a weed killing weapon.