this bed is mostly herbeacous perennials but I need more structure as there is nothing to give interest in the winter spring. Any ideas would be appreciated
I find Hebes useful for winter interest cathy. I use Vernicosa in pots as they resemble box balls and they will also work well in a border as a nice plump 'ball'. They like a sunny well drained spot. To contrast with that you could use Pittosporums - various colours available, and Euonymous - variegated foliage which you can trim and prune. Put at the back of the border -some types will climb up the fence a little. I also have Osmanthus burkwoodii which is evergreen and has little white scented flowers in late winter/spring. It likes a bit of shade. You could also use Christmas box (Sarcococca) which also has little white flowers followed by berries. You could also use things like Yew to keep as a pillar to give a contrast in shape. Loads of spring bulbs from Crocus and species Tulips through to Narcissus will link winter into summer too.
Hope those give you a few ideas to start off with.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Euphorbia characias wulfenii and Phormium tenax give good evergreen structure, either would look good there. A swathe of lavender running through the planting, or edging the border, would give some winter presence too.
Fairygirl, thanks, the bed gets full sun so I think hebe would work well, would yew not grow very large?
Will,I have taken loads of slips of lavender and didn't know where to put them or give them away, I never considered puting them through the bed, thanks. If you don't mind me asking, does euphorbia spread a lot or am I thinking of something else?
There's lots of different Euphorbias Cathy - I think the one Verdun's mentioned is smaller so it's a case of picking a suitable one for your site. Yew can be trimmed tightly - the golden one is best for that. Verd grows it so he might be able to advise
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
This is brilliant I think I opened this bed further last year and got so far and then got stuck! My mother has a big garden and I think maybe I've tried too hard to think smaller, but you suggestions mean I should be able to get away with more!
Euphorbia characias doesn't spread, just becomes a big handsome silvery leaved 'shrub'. It can seed a bit but that's a good thing as you'll have replacement plants to replace it if need be. There are variegated and 'dwarf' forms available but the form called wulfenii is still the best imo.
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I find Hebes useful for winter interest cathy. I use Vernicosa in pots as they resemble box balls and they will also work well in a border as a nice plump 'ball'. They like a sunny well drained spot. To contrast with that you could use Pittosporums - various colours available, and Euonymous - variegated foliage which you can trim and prune. Put at the back of the border -some types will climb up the fence a little. I also have Osmanthus burkwoodii which is evergreen and has little white scented flowers in late winter/spring. It likes a bit of shade. You could also use Christmas box (Sarcococca) which also has little white flowers followed by berries. You could also use things like Yew to keep as a pillar to give a contrast in shape. Loads of spring bulbs from Crocus and species Tulips through to Narcissus will link winter into summer too.
Hope those give you a few ideas to start off with.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Euphorbia characias wulfenii and Phormium tenax give good evergreen structure, either would look good there. A swathe of lavender running through the planting, or edging the border, would give some winter presence too.
Fairygirl, thanks, the bed gets full sun so I think hebe would work well
, would yew not grow very large?
Will,I have taken loads of slips of lavender and didn't know where to put them or give them away, I never considered puting them through the bed, thanks
. If you don't mind me asking, does euphorbia spread a lot or am I thinking of something else?
Thanks , this gives me a great start
There's lots of different Euphorbias Cathy - I think the one Verdun's mentioned is smaller so it's a case of picking a suitable one for your site. Yew can be trimmed tightly - the golden one is best for that. Verd grows it so he might be able to advise
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
maybe some coloured stemmed dogwoods?
This is brilliant
I think I opened this bed further last year and got so far and then got stuck! My mother has a big garden and I think maybe I've tried too hard to think smaller, but you suggestions mean I should be able to get away with more!
Thanks for the advice Will, I think they are great but he spreading thing put me off, I can now get one!