Yes, I think I need some kind of plan, and to include as much evergreen as I can. The other beds were put together whilst I was a complete novice, and they might look lovely and lush now, but they are a bit empty once the Hostas die back.
I will update as soon as I have started getting some ideas together!
Current plan is to plant herbs up by the decking for the scents. So far for this I have the big rosemary and others herbs in the second picture :
I picked up some penstemons yesterday, so I think they'll go up the end by the Lilac. I might pop the Elijah Blue in that bed somewhere, but I think that and the Cordyline are going elsewhere in the garden.
Other plants on the 'maybe list' are Chinese lanterns, Barberry, Pelargonium, Lavender, Anemone. I'm sure I'll add more on as I go!
I haven't really been following (sorry!), but just wanted to stop and say your garden already looks gorgeous. Love the blue fencing and complementary decking area. Very up-to-date whilst still somehow natural
Try to have a plan so you have contrasts of plant and leaf size, form and shape and then think about flower colours. Plant in 3s, 5s or 7s for impact so that each plant is clearly visible and doesn't get lost in a polka dot effect.
As for choices, it depends on your soil - what will grow - and your taste - what you want to grow - and your budget eg finds lurking in the bargain corner or fine specimens in a specialist nursery.
Try growing from seed - it's cheaper and you can get more interesting varieties than those offered by big chains. Ditto divisions and cuttings swapped with gardening friends.
Don't forget bulbs for spring. They'll be in the shops form late August.........
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'm trying to do it on a budget really, so giving seeds and bulbs a go is pretty perfect. Do you recommend one seed brand over another? I've not got a greenhouse or coldframe, so what kind of seeds would I be best going with given I'm most likely going to have to sow them straight into the soil? So far all I've got on the list is poppies!
The soil is pretty good, sandy and in a sunny location. It drains nice and quickly. That side of the garden is also generally less affected by strong winds, so I'd like to try taller plants such as Veronica and Penstemon.
We've got lots of hardy geraniums in the front garden coming through from next doors flower beds, so I thought I might take some of those and see how they fare.
You don't need a greenhouse to sow seeds. You can buy seed trays with or without modules and with or without a plastic lid to keep in moisture and add a bit of shelter. Put them on a table on your terrace so they're sheltered by the house.
Prick out into more trays or small pots and grow on till big enough for the borders. A cold frame will be useful for next year and earlier sowings but is not needed at this time of year.
If your soil is sandy and drains quickly it will leach nutrients so beef it up with plenty of garden compost if you have it or else cheap potting compost with added pelleted manure so the soil retains moisture a bit better and has some minerals to feed your treasures.
Last edited: 24 June 2016 01:43:25
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)."
Posts
Thank you for all the replies!
Yes, I think I need some kind of plan, and to include as much evergreen as I can. The other beds were put together whilst I was a complete novice, and they might look lovely and lush now, but they are a bit empty once the Hostas die back.
I will update as soon as I have started getting some ideas together!
Ive managed to make a start on the flower bed!
So far today:
Still a lot of turf to get up, but it's a start.
Current plan is to plant herbs up by the decking for the scents. So far for this I have the big rosemary and others herbs in the second picture :
I picked up some penstemons yesterday, so I think they'll go up the end by the Lilac. I might pop the Elijah Blue in that bed somewhere, but I think that and the Cordyline are going elsewhere in the garden.
Other plants on the 'maybe list' are Chinese lanterns, Barberry, Pelargonium, Lavender, Anemone. I'm sure I'll add more on as I go!
I haven't really been following (sorry!), but just wanted to stop and say your garden already looks gorgeous. Love the blue fencing and complementary decking area. Very up-to-date whilst still somehow natural
Thank you, Claire, that means a lot! I'm still so new to gardening it's all one giant learning curve, so its nice to hear that it looks ok!
Dug out a bit more and purchased a few plants today. It's dawning on me that it will end up being quite a big bed!
Just £1.
Only £1.39 each from Lidl.
Try to have a plan so you have contrasts of plant and leaf size, form and shape and then think about flower colours. Plant in 3s, 5s or 7s for impact so that each plant is clearly visible and doesn't get lost in a polka dot effect.
As for choices, it depends on your soil - what will grow - and your taste - what you want to grow - and your budget eg finds lurking in the bargain corner or fine specimens in a specialist nursery.
Try growing from seed - it's cheaper and you can get more interesting varieties than those offered by big chains. Ditto divisions and cuttings swapped with gardening friends.
Don't forget bulbs for spring. They'll be in the shops form late August.........
Thanks Obelix!
I'm trying to do it on a budget really, so giving seeds and bulbs a go is pretty perfect. Do you recommend one seed brand over another? I've not got a greenhouse or coldframe, so what kind of seeds would I be best going with given I'm most likely going to have to sow them straight into the soil? So far all I've got on the list is poppies!
The soil is pretty good, sandy and in a sunny location. It drains nice and quickly. That side of the garden is also generally less affected by strong winds, so I'd like to try taller plants such as Veronica and Penstemon.
We've got lots of hardy geraniums in the front garden coming through from next doors flower beds, so I thought I might take some of those and see how they fare.
You don't need a greenhouse to sow seeds. You can buy seed trays with or without modules and with or without a plastic lid to keep in moisture and add a bit of shelter. Put them on a table on your terrace so they're sheltered by the house.
Prick out into more trays or small pots and grow on till big enough for the borders. A cold frame will be useful for next year and earlier sowings but is not needed at this time of year.
If your soil is sandy and drains quickly it will leach nutrients so beef it up with plenty of garden compost if you have it or else cheap potting compost with added pelleted manure so the soil retains moisture a bit better and has some minerals to feed your treasures.
Last edited: 24 June 2016 01:43:25
I finally finished digging up the turf!
Ive added some chicken manure in too. Now just to work out where I want to plant things.
I've planted what I can!
Here's some photos:
And for anyone interested in what I've planted (so far!), here's a very rough and not to scale plan of the bed: