Flowers that are stronger than weeds?

skankinpickle

Hi.

I just spent 3 days weeding out an area where the weeds just seem to have been growing and growing.

Ideally I would like to try and sow some flowers here hoping that some time next year the flowers will kind of stop some of the weeds growing. However weeds are really strong and hardy so I suspect they will just keep on taking over.

Does anyone know of any kind of flower that is also strong and hardy and may be able to stop some of the weeds growing - as well as providing some spring summer colour instead of a green mess?

I am in England, so the climate is temperate and normally wet. The area for planting doesn´t appear to be that great soil wise. There were a few worms in there, but some of it seems to be mixed with small stones, brick, and I think a few inches down there may be clay. Is there any hope of flowers?  Thanks again.

Day temperature is around 12-15c at the moment so hoping to sow before it gets too late and maybe cools down too much. The area will be in morning shade and sun (when and if it does come out) would be in the afternoon from approx 1.30pm-7pm.

didyw

Hi there.  I can't think of anything you would direct sow now that would happily overwinter and grow strongly enough to out compete weeds next spring.  If it was me I would put a thick layer of mulch (organic compost/soil improver bought from the garden centre in bags/spent compost from bags) over the soil for winter to improve it ready for planting next spring.  But you could plant some bulbs there now ready for spring.

Fairygirl

Can you tell us the rough size of the area? 
If it's a standard sort of bed or border, it's easier to plant a variety of shrubs and perennials, which will help to keep weeds at bay. Sowing anything now isn't going to be a solution.
The layer of organic matter  @didyw mentions will help keep them down and also benefit the soil, which will make it easier for anything you then plant to thrive. Bulbs are ideal for planting along with perennials.
 
You can mulch regularly in between any plants, to help keep weeds down while those plants grow and spread. 

Loxley

You are going to struggle with direct sowing, as the weeds will easily outcompete small seedlings. You could sow into pots and plant out in a year or two, but it would be much quicker to buy plants. You could even buy plants and divide them.

To outcompete weeds, Persicaria amplexicaulis and Phlomis russeliana produce big clumps of basal leaves that will smother most weeds. Symphytum 'Hidcote Blue' is also very weed smothering (and spreading). Geranium 'Rozanne' is vigorous and produces a big mound of foliage, and flowers all summer.

Hostafan1

that's kinda what make them weeds. They tend to overpower other stuff. 

philippasmith2

There's weeds and WEEDS tho so an idea of which is the most prevalent and/or annoying may help. Some people's weeds are other people's native wild plants
If you have a garden, you will have weeds but if you can deal with the perennial ones to an extent, you may only have to hoe or pull out by hand those which turn up uninvited courtesy of the wind or the birds.
Ground covering plants and mulching as suggested will help but eradicating the persistent ones will certainly make life easier for you.

skankinpickle

Fairygirl said:

Can you tell us the rough size of the area? 
If it's a standard sort of bed or border, it's easier to plant a variety of shrubs and perennials, which will help to keep weeds at bay. Sowing anything now isn't going to be a solution.
The layer of organic matter  @didyw mentions will help keep them down and also benefit the soil, which will make it easier for anything you then plant to thrive. Bulbs are ideal for planting along with perennials.
 
You can mulch regularly in between any plants, to help keep weeds down while those plants grow and spread. 

Around 20ft by 2.5ft I guess. Like a big strip.

So the "organic matter" is supposed to keep weeds at bay somewhat? Do you have any recommendations? Does it have to be a certain type, or will any old compost do?

didyw

skankinpickle said:

So the "organic matter" is supposed to keep weeds at bay somewhat? Do you have any recommendations? Does it have to be a certain type, or will any old compost do?

Well rotted horse manure is best for the soil (although it may bring in some weed seeds of its own!). Garden compost if you have it or soil improver which can be bought in bags similar to bags of multipurpose compost.  You could put all that down and then cover with a strip of old carpet weighted down.  Or cardboard weighted down - all this keeps out the light so stops germination. 20' is quite long so you would need a lot of cardboard!