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How would you group these plants?
Dew_drops_in_the_hostas
Posts: 295
in Plants
I've got quite a few pla waiting to go into my new flowerbed, and I've started to think about how I want to group or lay them out.
Here is the list, and a photo of the flowerbed:
So, what would you do? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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Apart from the bulbs, you could put the plants into the border in their pots and move them around till you are happy. Then wait a day to see if you change your mind.
I would also make the border a lot wider!
Thanks both!
My current plan is indeed to put the pots on top of the border and see what I like the look of, I think I'm a bit worried I won't have the 'eye' for it, if you catch my drift.
Alan, the photo is probably a bit deceptive the border is about four and a half foot wide at its narrowest, which matches the border on the opposite side. At the moment I'm finding that's wide enough for me. I'm sure it'll get wider in the future, but for now, and for the time I can commit to looking after it (work, health, family-husband is not green fingered, so it all falls to me) it will have to suffice. I'd love the full 8ft border jam packed full of perennials though!
Phillipa, thanks for the heads up on the Lemon Balm. I was going to plant the mint in a pot, so will do the same with the Lemon Balm! My thoughts were to put them down in the part by the decking so you would get the smell of the different herbs.
I was thinking of trying to keep certain groups of colour together- blues, purples, whites in one part near the house as we have a lovely lilac up there, then moving onto reds with brighter greens such as the heuchera fire chief and nicotiana lime.
It's reassuring to hear people move plants around lots! I'm so new to gardening I worry about moving them. The only other gardener I know (mother in law) lives hundreds of miles away, and somehow always seems to get it right first time round!
Lemon balm , mint, Nicotiana , hardy geraniums and the fuchsia don't mind some shade, the Rosemary and Elijah Blue need the sun. C. Elizabeth Oliver is a tiny thing, very pretty, can spread to a few inches given time, but likely to get lost in a border. Best in an alpine trough or pan, with good drainage, at least until it gets larger.
Thank you, that's all really helpful. I would probably have put the Elizabeth Olibet in the bed without your advice, so I'll hunt out a suitable container for it.
Think about contrasts - height, leaf shape, texture - so you put rounded foliage next to fine and feathery to offset each other and glossy next to matt, hummocky next to tall. Then think about flowering times so the interest is spread along the border. Google each plant name+cultivation to find its eventual height and spread so you get planting distances right for the perennials. Fill gaps with the annuals such as nicotiana.
Agree about keeping mint and lemon balm separate. Lemon balm is used here to deter pesky insects so good idea to put it in a pot on the seating area.
To add to what Buttercup has said, the Campanula and the Heuchera will appreciate some shade as well, so keep the sunniest bits for the real sun lovers.
I agree with obelixx too - you don't want a line of plants which are all the same height and shape, so place them ,in their pots, before you put them in the ground. You may still have to move some, because your own conditions mean some plants will grow more, or less, than the average, as the height and width guides are just that - a guide.
Elizabeth Oliver is a beautiful plant. I had it in a previous garden. If you can plant it somewhere high and/or near a seat, you'll be able to really appreciate it
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Plant the Pulsatila where you will see it in spring. Put a marker beside it to remind you where it is as it dies back.
Thank you! So many helpful hints. I've got a list of average heights, but hadn't thought about flowering times, so will look those up in order to make sure I get a good mix.
I think I'll plant the Elizabeth Oliver in a pot on the decking, that's where I spend most of my time in the garden, so I can enjoy it there.
Good plan Joyce, I must remember to add a marker!
The pulsatillas will seed around too. They come into growth quite early and the seed heads are beautiful
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
They are pretty- they look so tactile too!