ideas on what to plant in this...
kyle.w
Posts: 3
So last year I had the back garden tidied up and had a large planter added with a bench seat attached. At the time the company filled it with marigolds and some other "single use" plants. These have all been dug out ready for planting this year, however I'm at a loss as to what to plant due to being very new to gardening.
The soil is currently quite clay like underneath which around 4-6" of sandy soil on top. I have forked through some potting compost to try and better the soil too on the advice of a friend.
This area gets full sun from around 9:30/10am through to mid/late afternoon.
I've already planted soft fruits and some veg in the smaller boxes but want to have a nice floral area in the main planter.
Look forward to any ideas you have,
Kyle.
Posts
I can offer no sensible planting solutions, but I think your lawn needs ironing ?
Ahh I knew there was something I forgot to do with it ?
But don't worry, the fence has been painted and the "turf" trimmed and finished properly now. As someone who detests mowing a lawn it was a compromise with the other half and the child.
What do you like in terms of colours etc? How much time do you have for maintenance? Do you want to involve your child?
Have you any evergreens anywhere else, or is that the only planting area? I only ask because a bit of structure in winter is helpful, and will distract the eye a bit from all the timber
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
No real preference on colours, what I do like though is the idea of something unusual. I like the thought of different textures and smells.
Time wise I have the odd 20 mins during the week and a little longer at weekends. I often potter about during lunch time when I am working from home etc too.
The little one is always keen to help, just the other day she pulled out one of the lavender plugs that were bedding into their first pots to make a decoration for the house
- so anything that she could get involved with would be a bonus, but not necessary as the fruits are her job at the mo.
I have one young evergreen (a lily of the valley) which is currently situated in the square planter to the left with some carnation variation planted round it for now - no idea how its going to look, but plenty space round it for smallish plants at any time.
I also have two young red star cordyline's which are currently sat in their pots, one at either end of the big planter, but not set on these staying if they need to move.
I hope to have some pots for the patio part but nothing else as yet - again, opinions and ideas welcome.
What an Natsturtions flowing down at the sides The flowers are delicious and peppery .
Lobelia hanging down also,
Peppers are easy to grow, and may get little one interested thing n eating veg!
? Strawberries
Have a walk round a local garden centre. They are bursting with plants at this time of year and you can get an idea of what you like. Perhaps stick with annuals this year but increase your knowledge of perennials over the next year so you can plant up with more permanent plants next spring.
Before you plant anything Kyle I would add some bags of farm manure (bags sold in garden centre)
when you say you have already planted up the smaller boxes does that include the bigger square one on the left?
i think it could look really lovely all planted up and as the seat is beneath you def have to have some scents
'I would fill with grasses, the lovely fluffy ones and mix in scented perenial dianthus, phlox, prostrate rosemary, lemon verbena etc and then tall ones like red hot pokers etc