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Re-planting/sowing border patch ideas:

ElothirElothir Posts: 94
edited August 2019 in Plants
Hello,

I'm intending to redo a bare patch of the border soon, which is between the lawn and a fence and would appreciate some suggestions for plants that could go at the base of the fence, between it and some other plants. We were intending to try and have some dwarf Tickseeds (Coreopsis Grandiflora 'Presto') which supposedly get to around 25-30cm height/spread.

However for various reasons we're now considering what (if anything) we could have that would be a bit taller, but not too much larger spread, to put between them and the fence. Climbers of any sort are out so that's one obvious option gone. 

One thought is to try some Pot Marigold's (the plain old 'originals' that get between 40-60ish) and see how they fare. However they are both fairly similar in shape/form so perhaps not the best combination?

Another slightly taller thought is Musk Mallow, but we have no experience of this plant and don't know how it's likely to react in that situation.

I did wonder about Verbena or Valerian but one is only half-hardy and the other seems rather invasive so not sure I want to invite that in (similarly Yarrow & Knapweed, both look nice and might work but seem even more invasive?).

Final thought was Phlox, which we already have some of on the other side of the garden, which do quite well for where they are.

Alternatively, we just try and grow sunflowers there every year.

Thanks for any suggestions/thoughts.

Posts

  • Is it a shady or sunny border?

    Quite a tight space but Libertia grandiflora aka chilensis might work for a sunny spot and is evergreen. Penstemons could be an option, something like Raven or Pensham Plum Jerkin are deep purples so would contrast well with your Coreopsis.

    Some of the heuchera such as green spice or plum pudding would give you the height when in flower

    Musk mallow are lovely, they can self seed but would be easy to whip out if straying too far? Ditto valerian, yarrow and knackweed - for all these it would probably depend how much they liked your garden as to whether they would self-seed so prolifically to be classed as invasive?


     If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero
    East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
  • chickychicky Posts: 10,321
    I love phlox - really good do-ers and so many colours to choose from.  They do really well on the damper side of my garden, but struggle where its a bit drier.  Will your fence cast a rain shadow?
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,036
    Penstemons would make sense. Verbena are perfectly hardy for me (Nottingham, well drained soil) but I think if you plant them right next to a fence they might end up leaning out - more to do with the wind pushing them over than the light probably.

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