One thing to bear in mind too, is that when plants are crowded, they're more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Good air flow around many perennials is important. Like many people, I don't always follow my own advice on that one though
Your own climate and soil conditions also mean that some plants will grow bigger, and quicker, than others. Whereabouts are you and what kind of 'weather' is the norm for the area? I'm guessing you might be up here as you use the word wee!
The hydrangeas will probably have suffered a boit of cold - frost or wind - that many areas have had recently. nothing much to worry about. They are better in the ground though - easier for them to get the moisture they normally require. There are lots of evergreens and structural plants - phormiums, hebes, carexes, osmanthus, viburnums, to name but a few. Again - depends on soil and aspect, and your own personal taste
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
One thing to bear in mind too, is that when plants are crowded, they're more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Good air flow around many perennials is important. Like many people, I don't always follow my own advice on that one though
Your own climate and soil conditions also mean that some plants will grow bigger, and quicker, than others. Whereabouts are you and what kind of 'weather' is the norm for the area? I'm guessing you might be up here as you use the word wee!
The hydrangeas will probably have suffered a boit of cold - frost or wind - that many areas have had recently. nothing much to worry about. They are better in the ground though - easier for them to get the moisture they normally require. There are lots of evergreens and structural plants - phormiums, hebes, carexes, osmanthus, viburnums, to name but a few. Again - depends on soil and aspect, and your own personal taste
Hi Fairy, i'm in lanarkshire on a hill surrounded by open farmland. Normal conditions are always blawin a hoolie! I will do the 5 per metre which may look sparse in first years but will allow the air flow ( good tip) and save me having to hoik out plants in the next few years.
I will google the plants you suggested and see what i like. I would like to keep the hydrangeas in tubs, i'll give them a month or two and see how they are doing after that. If they need shifting i'll put them in when i put my perennials in.
Personally when planting stuff out I use the length of a trowel between perennial plants. .....so you would be quite safe to use up to 7 plants per sq metre. As you say, there are always losses when buying small plants. And so what if you have to hoik some out in a few years time. At that price, you can afford to! I've planted quite a number of new plants myself this year which I have never grown before so I may be in a similar position to you soon!
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
Since you are new to the garden or it new to you..whatevs!... I would be careful about digging about if it's been pre-loved and neglected.
Just saying because I'm still seeing new things and I've been here 3 years now. My garden was pre-loved by a garden enthusiast then inhabited by novice gardeners for 14 years. Today, this popped up ... I didn't plant it but I also didn't weed out some suspicious looking leaves that took about 3 years to do this ...
Since you are new to the garden or it new to you..whatevs!... I would be careful about digging about if it's been pre-loved and neglected.
Just saying because I'm still seeing new things and I've been here 3 years now. My garden was pre-loved by a garden enthusiast then inhabited by novice gardeners for 14 years. Today, this popped up ... I didn't plant it but I also didn't weed out some suspicious looking leaves that took about 3 years to do this ...
OOOOH! That's lovely , Cloggie. There was an old couple here who were into their garden and then a person who seems to have cut the grass and let everything else grow over. There are wee beds everywhere that the grass has reclaimed. Ive clawed some back, allowed the garden to keep others and there are others still that i wont touch until i see what comes up. SO far it's been mainly bulbs, hostas and peonies.
I had a nightmare garden before that i gave up on. Horrible heavy heavy clay soil, up 2 flights of stairs, not attached to house and when i finally had things growing in it horrible children came and stole the flowers, destroyed the plants, stole anything pretty, broke into the shed and tried to light fires. My new place has lovely soil and nice neighbours. Cows mainly! So i'm not a complete novice but i'm not confident either after so many losses on clay soil. I am enjoying the garden very much though. I like how you go out to do a 5 minute job and before you know it you're very hungry and it's getting dark cos you've been out there for 5 hours! I intend to live here for a long time so the evolution of the garden will be something which brings me joy I think
Thanks to yourself and everyone else who took the time to write
"OOOOH! That's lovely , Cloggie. There was an old couple here who were into their garden and then a person who seems to have cut the grass and let everything else grow over. There are wee beds everywhere that the grass has reclaimed. Ive clawed some back, allowed the garden to keep others and there are others still that i wont touch until i see what comes up. SO far it's been mainly bulbs, hostas and peonies."
Ha - this is my experience. I had bulbs, hostas, forget me nots and foxgloves in my first year (along with blackberries, nettles and other hedgerow inhabitants) but last winter I was surprised by nerines (never seen those before) and the seedling lupin that I left has come up pink this year.
Also the weird bent over yucca is throwing up massive flowers this year and the neighbours haven't seen that before. <pats self on back!>
Posts
One thing to bear in mind too, is that when plants are crowded, they're more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Good air flow around many perennials is important. Like many people, I don't always follow my own advice on that one though
Your own climate and soil conditions also mean that some plants will grow bigger, and quicker, than others. Whereabouts are you and what kind of 'weather' is the norm for the area? I'm guessing you might be up here as you use the word wee!
The hydrangeas will probably have suffered a boit of cold - frost or wind - that many areas have had recently. nothing much to worry about. They are better in the ground though - easier for them to get the moisture they normally require. There are lots of evergreens and structural plants - phormiums, hebes, carexes, osmanthus, viburnums, to name but a few. Again - depends on soil and aspect, and your own personal taste
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hi Fairy, i'm in lanarkshire on a hill surrounded by open farmland. Normal conditions are always blawin a hoolie! I will do the 5 per metre which may look sparse in first years but will allow the air flow ( good tip) and save me having to hoik out plants in the next few years.
I will google the plants you suggested and see what i like. I would like to keep the hydrangeas in tubs, i'll give them a month or two and see how they are doing after that. If they need shifting i'll put them in when i put my perennials in.
Cheers doll!
Nae bother son....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Personally when planting stuff out I use the length of a trowel between perennial plants. .....so you would be quite safe to use up to 7 plants per sq metre. As you say, there are always losses when buying small plants. And so what if you have to hoik some out in a few years time. At that price, you can afford to! I've planted quite a number of new plants myself this year which I have never grown before so I may be in a similar position to you soon!
Since you are new to the garden or it new to you..whatevs!... I would be careful about digging about if it's been pre-loved and neglected.
Just saying because I'm still seeing new things and I've been here 3 years now. My garden was pre-loved by a garden enthusiast then inhabited by novice gardeners for 14 years. Today, this popped up ... I didn't plant it but I also didn't weed out some suspicious looking leaves that took about 3 years to do this ...
Enjoy the discovery
OOOOH! That's lovely , Cloggie. There was an old couple here who were into their garden and then a person who seems to have cut the grass and let everything else grow over. There are wee beds everywhere that the grass has reclaimed. Ive clawed some back, allowed the garden to keep others and there are others still that i wont touch until i see what comes up. SO far it's been mainly bulbs, hostas and peonies.
I had a nightmare garden before that i gave up on. Horrible heavy heavy clay soil, up 2 flights of stairs, not attached to house and when i finally had things growing in it horrible children came and stole the flowers, destroyed the plants, stole anything pretty, broke into the shed and tried to light fires. My new place has lovely soil and nice neighbours. Cows mainly! So i'm not a complete novice but i'm not confident either after so many losses on clay soil. I am enjoying the garden very much though. I like how you go out to do a 5 minute job and before you know it you're very hungry and it's getting dark cos you've been out there for 5 hours! I intend to live here for a long time so the evolution of the garden will be something which brings me joy I think
Thanks to yourself and everyone else who took the time to write
"OOOOH! That's lovely , Cloggie. There was an old couple here who were into their garden and then a person who seems to have cut the grass and let everything else grow over. There are wee beds everywhere that the grass has reclaimed. Ive clawed some back, allowed the garden to keep others and there are others still that i wont touch until i see what comes up. SO far it's been mainly bulbs, hostas and peonies."
Ha - this is my experience. I had bulbs, hostas, forget me nots and foxgloves in my first year (along with blackberries, nettles and other hedgerow inhabitants) but last winter I was surprised by nerines (never seen those before) and the seedling lupin that I left has come up pink this year.
Also the weird bent over yucca is throwing up massive flowers this year and the neighbours haven't seen that before. <pats self on back!>