Feeling overwhelmed - Large areas to fill

michelle_rndr

Hello!

Hoping to get some help and inspirational ideas re my garden beds. Im a very enthusiastic but also very newbie gardener and i have two large borders in my garden that i need to fill. We are currently in the process of giving new life to it and smartening it up with sleepers and edging stones etc but I'm now feeling a little overwhelmed and desperately want to get it right. We have a garden party for my little boy in two weeks also so I'm trying to make it look as good as possible for then but also don't want to rush into anything. So here are some pictures of what i have so far. Id like a more modern looking garden so not too much fuss but i also love colour. Some of the plants already in have been on impulse due to offers in garden centres and wanting to add colour. The palm, blazing star, hydranga & agapanthus are my favourites at the min.

Thanks

Michelle

Ladybird4

I think you are very wise in waiting. I would just tidy everything up, have the party, and then concentrate on one area at a time. Which palm do you mean and which Blazing Star - Liatris or Begonia?

Hortum-cretae

Go for group plantings, clumps of stuff. It'll look natural and will save too much by way of decision making.  What's the soil like, do you know?  Specifically, can you grow rhododendrons and azaleas or is the ground more alkaline or chalky?  For a summer blaze of colour from perennials look at rudbeckia, helenium, leucanthemum, salvia 'Hotlips', veronica longifolia, monarda and some grasses. If you want structure and more long-term shape;-

deciduous suggestions - hydrangea paniculata, spiraea japonica, syringa meyeri 'Palibin', philadelphus coronarius 'Aureus', physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo'

evergreen suggestions - hebe 'Red Edge', cistus corbariensis, cytisus praecox, pittosporum tenuifolium 'Gold Star', pittosporum 'Tom Thumb', lavender, rosemary.  Low-growing 'alpines' for the front edges might be veronica prostrata, phlox subulata, campanula carpatica, helianthemum

There you go, some to Google!

H-C 

pansyface

IN MY OPINION GARDEN PARTIES FOR LITTLE BOYS AND PRETTY FLOWERS DON'T GO TOGETHER.

GET A BOUNCY CASTLE IN THERE AND NOBODY WILL NOTICE A THING.

michelle_rndr

Sorry ladybird i have a palm hiding in there somewhere its only small but i like the look of most grassy palms and its the begonia blazing star that i have against the white wall.

The soil on the right hand side seems to be better drained and more sand like but that side gets full sun whereas the other side east facing is a bit richer and more shade (morning sun)

Pansyface its funny you should say that as we are having a bouncy castle anyway but i think i just got a bit over zealous with the need to please the grandparents and their love for a nice garden considering we have been in the house nearly 3 years!

michelle_rndr

Thanks all for your advice so far its very helpful. Ive already decided to take a step back a little and perhaps concentrate on getting it cleared and seeing what areas we have before trying to fill. Perhaps use the autumn/winter to decide what to do with the more serious stuff. 

Kitty 2

I agree with Pansy, start on your garden after the party.

Grandparents should understand that you want your son to have a fantastic birthday without you having to worry about damage to new plants.

Let the boys run wild and have a great day  

P.S. I had no flowers in the back garden until my children were older, I kept them all out front so they would survive the rigours of playtime and I've got girls 

BobFlannigon

Run along to Homebase or your local Wyevale garden centre and buy up their reduced-priced flowers, that'll give you a quick win.  If you can also afford a few cheap pots to put them in I think the grandparents will survive!  Just remember the names of what you planted incase they ask!

Iamweedy

Wot Bob said.!

  You could start in spring by seeding your borders with mixed colourful annuals just to make it look alive while you plan the more lasting stuff you want.