Border Ideas
green.stuart
Posts: 16
Hello, I wonder if anyone has any ideas on what to do with this border. Since these photos were taken I have managed to dig out a number of stumps and turn over the soil. I have managed to get my hands on some well rotted manure and intend to work this into the soil this week. Once the manure is mixed in do I have to leave it for a while or can I start planting straight away? Also will I have to mix the manure with compost? The border will be in the sun at some points and in the shade at others so I am aware there some plants will prefer the shade better than others but parts of the border are on a steep angle-maybe 40-45 degrees at some points-is this something to take into consideration when planning my planting scheme? Also is there a ratio of different types of plants that people follow or is it just a case of throw anything in and hope for the best? Finally I think the soil is acidic and is full of large stones. Is it worth sifting these stones or keeping them in the soil? Sorry for all the questions but I haven't a clue where to start despite my enthusiasm. Thanks in advance...
Posts
I wouldn't generally sift the stones out - they'll give the plants some purchase - but avoid planting things on top of a big stone that would restrict the root run - so dig reasonably large planting holes and get the stones out as you go.
The angle of the ground will be an issue to some extent. When you put in new plants, you need to keep them well watered for the first little while, until the roots have 'established' and begin taking up water from deeper down. If you put a hose or use a watering can on a sloping bed, it can wash the soil away, leaving the roots exposed. It's also harder to get mulch to sit around the plants at the top of the slope - it tends to all wash down to the bottom.
You could use the stone that's in the ground to make individual planting 'pockets', so put a plant in and then use the stones you dug out when making the planting hole to form a small ridge around the down-slope side, leaving a little flatter area just around the roots of the new plant. The stones will probably slowly disappear, unless they are VERY large, in which case you'll end up with a rockery.
I'm sure there is a proper way to work out planting plans. Someone may well come along and advise. I usually spend a lot of time browsing the garden centre shelves, reading all the labels and trying to find ones that suit the soil and situation I have in mind. Then take a load back and plant them. Then next season move the ones I don't like, or that don't like where they are and replace those with others. Then next season I'll have very specific gaps and know exactly what I'm looking for so will research online and order those from a specialist. After 4 years it's usually starting to look OK.
I'm certain there's a quicker way
It's a good time of year to buy reduce-priced Rhododendrons from large garden centres as they've just finished flowering! I bought two at the weekend reduced down from £20 to £5. If you find something doesn't work for you can pull it out and you've not lost that much.
I usually remove stones only from the holes I dig to put my new plants in, beyond that they won't do any harm.
Just as an illustration of my ad hoc method
This was the garden at the front of our house in 2012
through that year and the beginning of 2013 I cleared the ground and started planting a few shrubs
In 2014, those had grown on a bit so I began filling in
In 2015 this closest bit had matured so I began to work my way out
But I felt that the geranium in the foreground was too dominant and there's also a rose behind the wall in the centre than 'sat' wrong to my eye so I moved them both and replaced them with lower growing plants
And this is what that area looked like yesterday - I've just about reached the big tree now - starting work on the bank to the left of all these shots (currently just nettles)
So that's trial and error - it's a slow process. And never finished.
If you want it done dusted and never touched again, you need to do a lot more research and draw up a planting plan so you get all the plants at the right spacing and then water and mulch the gaps while you wait for them to grow together.
PS. The drystone wall in the foreground I built using stones dug out of the ground as I cleared the weeds. It is really stony soil here, and acidic too. The only reason this bit looks flat is there's actually a roof in the middle of it
Looks fantastic
Some fruiting bushes like raspberries or blueberries (ericaceous) might do quite well there. Fruit forest!
Last edited: 30 May 2017 11:13:19
Thanks
But I am making it up as I go along. Just jump in and see where you get to 
Raisingirl
I LOVE your garden! What an achievement - you must be so proud
Beautiful pictures and an inspiration! A garden evolves and it changes from time to time. I doubt many plans drawn up original stay the same after 5-6 years.
Once you have dug in all the organic matter you don't need to sit and wait. Just go ahead and plan the look. Mixed borders, rockeries, drift style planting, natural meadow style border, Japanese themed border...the ideas are endless.