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Ericaceous plants
Hi all, been a while since I posted. I have a raised flower bed in memory of my mother and have three azalea plants in it, which are beautiful during spring. However, once the flowers have gone the raised bed looks very forlorn. Is there any summer flowering plant that is ericaceous that I can put in with them to provide constant colour? Help much appreciated as usual.
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How about Callunas, the summer flowering heathers?
Good suggestion, Alan. Lots of different flower and foliage colours too, and they're evergreen.
You could add summer-flowering bulbs too, Mynx.
Lithodora diffusa, evergreen with true blue flowers over a long period, likes acidic gritty soil. It's quite short though so you may need to plant it at the edges.
How about a kalmia?
Some Geraniums will flower until late summer, Geranium sanguineum var. striatum does well in acid soil, also Platycodon grandiflorus.
Thanks everyone, I have lithadora in another raised bed and didn't realise it liked ericaceous soil! Planted it in ordinary soil and has thrived for three years ! Will have a look at the others and go from there
Calendulas, Gerberas.,I am growing baby Begonias that last untill well into the Autumn.
Gerbera
Calendula; these spread seed if allowed after flowering.
I've got a few Pieris which are acid-loving. They have finished flowering now but new leaves coming through a lovely rusty red. They are evergreen. Also I've got a couple of camellias which do well in acid soil.