Help - what to do with my garden

Evening all, I have recently got into gardening but confess I know nothing about it!!!

My garden is south westerly facing so almost all of the garden gets sunshine at some time although some more than others. I have bought a few plants and have some growing from seed. I have listed below the plants I have and bought all of them because I love the look of them - my problem is now I have no idea where to position them in the garden!!!?

Paeonia Guan She Mao - tree peonie
Paeonia Er Quia - tree peonie
Paeonia Hu Hong - tree peonie
Callicarpa Bodinieri Profusion x 2
Ribes currant
Rhubard plant
Bamboo - small at the moment
Livingstone daisies (growing from seed)
Black Knight butterfly plant - growing from seed
Palm plant (no idea what one but bought from B&Q and not hardy)
Cordyline

Any help from you all would be great!

p.s I have attached a photograph, the duck & chicken enclosure has now been removed and the garden is about another 8 - 10 wider on the left than you can see on the picture.

 

Well, lets see. I would take the Bamboo back, not knowing the type most go crazy, and for your small yard you don't need crazy.
All your tall plants, can go in the back of the area, alternate them by blooming time. (read up on them). Your Palm plant, guess that has to go in a colorful pot, to be placed somewhere. Rhubarb plant does not grow tall, but rather bushy wide, do you cook?
Daisies, depends on the type can spread a little, put them in the front ish.
Callicarpa--I have several, have a weeping growth, a good one to soften sharp corners if you have any, its main feature is its purple berries in the fall, can handle some sun. Ribes current, the birds will like, when its berries pop.
Try the tree peonie at opposite corners.
Thats all I have.

 

I don't know this from experience, but its what I've read.

While some bamboos are well behaved and form neat clumps, some on the other hand go crazy. If it is the latter, or if you're not sure, you can constrain the roots to prevent it escaping. One article I read suggested sinking four flag stones to make a box in the ground. Of course a less back breaking solution would be to stick it in the biggest container you can find.

 

Some advice to a new gardner. When looking for plants, shrubs, etc, the visual of them will grab you first. Then you bring it home and hope it will take. Its important to do home work first. What type of soil do you have? How much sun, shade? What are the native plants/shrubs that work well (save money there) What is the lay out you want. Find pictures in a garden book, see what they have planted, to get that look. Make sure the zone of the plant is will work.

 

Hi,
I did same as you, bought what I liked the look of and bunged em in.
Some worked some didn't. Be prepared for a few disapointments. As your knowledge grows so will your successes.
Check your soil, stay away from tempting stores and look around here and other peoples gardens locally. If they can grow it so can you.
Have an idea what you want before you go shopping cos I've made some expensive mistakes. Spend some money on your soil esp if you have a new build with rubble under the surface.
Good luck but be warned it can get addictive.

David

 

Thank you all so much for your helpful advice, it certainly has given me somewhere to start.

 

Even after 24 years of gardening. I always take a good plant book with me when I shop for plants. Don't want to waste my money, and want success.

 

Hmmm... I reckon it's a good idea to do a couple of searches (internet and/or books) on the plants you already have and any you may want to purchase, before purchasing them. Freebies and cheapies can be researched afterwards, but before planting. Speaking of 'before planting', often helps to place plants (in pots) in postions before planting and leave for at least a day to confirm that is where you want it to go. You'll probably want to move it next year, but that's another gardening passtime :WINK1:


I'm guessing that the left side and back of you garden gets the least sunshine (i.e. not until late morning onwards), no? That's good to keep in mind should you want to want to think about position preferences of plants (though you can create shade with other plants). Also, what is your soil like? sandy? clay? composty? Shame ducks and chickens had to go, as they help creat great plant food :WINK1:

Where did you envisage your planting area? Just where the chooks were? Side borders? How do you think you want to use and feel in your garden?

Also, keep your eyes open and your hands in your pockets in a bid to TAKE YOUR TIME Your growing stuff from seed, so I figure you have a sense of this notion. All us gardeners have to yeild to nature's time in the end. Rushing is futile (though its often our nature).

So... Absolutely no specific help with the plants you named... but maybe something of a sign post?

All the best on your journey Chuckles.

BD

 

So Chuckles. Have you seen my gardens? Go to google and type in Estherredstar channel. Enjoy.