Finally have a border

fromtheshires

Later November 2020 I had my garden levelled and new turf and top soil sent down. I let winter take its course this year and the bottom corner of my garden was mush so today I made a border. I purchased a load of plants online from RHS and they were pathetically small that they are barely even visible now ive put down the mulch. I had to go to B&Q to get some more as the space was too big, but I'm impressed at my efforts.

In the middle is a rose tree and i have hostas, lupins, geraniums, aqulegia, alchemliia morris and liripoe muscari white. 

Im no gardener and just have a few plant pots so Im just chuffed to bits that i finally have something to work with going forward. If anyone can think of suggestions in what else to put in (ive left gaps for the plants ‘maximum growth’), let me know.

mandyroberts99

It looks good! Without knowing what you planted its hard to say whether you should plant more or not. Do you have a planting plan?

fromtheshires

mandyroberts99 said:

It looks good! Without knowing what you planted its hard to say whether you should plant more or not. Do you have a planting plan?

Not really. The rhs plants all came and half of them didn't have labels on the pots (Im never buying from them again). I have a host top right and bottom right and what i am hoping are geraniums going along the edging. Along the wall i have what i hope are the aqulegia  and ive dotted the lupins randomly. I have some random small spreading perennials  in a triangular shape around the stem of the rose but i cant remember their names. I guess i should really get a plan up to aid everyone

GardenerSuze

@fromtheshires My first thought was not much to see during the winter months. The bed will look very flat once these plants have finished. Perhaps some evergreen plants or some thing to give a skeletal shape.
It is best to group plants, say three plants of Alchemilla Mollis rather than dot them about that will create impact.
 You will have a mix of leaf shape, which is  important as the leaves are there longer than the flowers. I think you should be  pleased with your start.  I would now get a feel for what you have achieved and watch your plants grow before buying more, you can make changes in the autumn. The best gardens take time and you need to evolve your gardening style. 
Note to self avoid RHS plants 

Plantminded

You've done well for your first border planting - a very neat and tidy finish!  Watch your plants develop, see if they provide the interest you want and don't be afraid to move things around if you think a different combination of plants will work better.  I agree with @GardenerSuze that something evergreen would add structure and winter interest to your arrangement.  A quick way to do this is to add some small evergreen grasses to add texture and movement.  I often use Stipa tenuissima/Nassella tenuissima as a handy evergreen filler in borders to complement flowering plants.  You could think of filling some of your gaps with a few of these.  They are upright and don't spread too widely so would be ideal while you are experimenting.  Enjoy your new border!

Busy-Lizzie

It's so satisfying creating a border isn't it?  I think you've done well for the first time. The plants will grow and fill up the spaces. 

I've just planted a new border at my new house. I've been gardening a long time and it's still exciting. I know one is advised to plant in threes or fives but it gets so expensive and if the bed isn't very big it's so limiting. I do as you have done and eventually when the plants get bigger I split them and fill the gaps. I'm not keen on grasses, each to his/her own. I also plant bulbs in my borders. I have cute Minnow daffodils out at the moment and tulips will follow.

Evergreens have their place but I don't put mine in my flower beds, apart from a few lavenders. I don't mind not having structure and interest in winter. I leave the dead flowers for wildlife to shelter in and eat the seeds then I clear it away in time for the daffodils.

Busy-Lizzie

PS. Is there a plant nursery or garden centre nearby? You could see the size of the plants. I like penstemons and astrantias. The narrow leaved penstemons are less showy but much more hardy and flower a long time.

Fairygirl

I don't want to rain on your parade, but those are so tiny. I'd have potted those on for a couple of months before planting out. That little lupin may well be a lovely snack for slugs.  Not a great advert for the RHS either, especially if plants weren't labelled. 

I'm also slightly concerned that you said that corner was mush. How good is the drainage for the planting you have?  Small plants like those are particularly vulnerable in poor draining soil, even if they're happy when mature. 

GardenerSuze

These plants are tiny and I really do think the RHS of all people should let buyers know that they needed to be potted on. Not everyone is aware of such things,  I had no idea when I first started gardening that  this was the best option. I try hard to support new gardeners where I live and this sort of practice can knock some ones gardening confidence. The RHS want to encourage gardeners of the future so give them the advice they need!

Busy-Lizzie

I planted plants, mail order, that size in Lockdown and they survived and grew.

GardenerSuze

@Busy-Lizzie I have just found some old paperwork for a well known on line nursery. Again it was in lockdown, the plants were small perennial. It states clearly plant as soon as possible if soil conditions are good. Do not pot on or put in the greenhouse, it added perennials grow all year round. So I stand corrected as my plants are also fine. I should add the soil they were planted in was in good condition and I think this is probably just as important that new gardeners are aware of this.