Filling gaps in flower beds

Hi, I still have a fair few gaps in the flowerbeds of my new garden. How can I fill them cheaply (cannot afford to spend too much more money plants)? Are there seeds for pretty flowers that I can sow straight in the ground (I don't have a greenhouse)? Obviously, perennials are even better value for money, but I'd appreciate annuals too. I am after recommendations for nice reliable performers which'll fill the gaps (thereby suppressing the weeds), and which'll add some colour too. All suggestions much appreciated.

 

Hi Rosie, and welcome. I think seeds is the obvious way. I would be inclined to grow them inside, initially, in a seed tray or small pots. When you sow outside, they tend to get too cold, or too hot, too wet, or too dry, or just eaten. The survival rate of seeds grown indoors must be 10 or 20 times as great. Have a look at some of the other recent threads on seeds - there is some info there.

I like perennials; Centranthus ruber (Red Valerian) is easy and flowers for a very long time - anything up to six months in the year. I also like Helenium, Echinacea, Nepeta fasenii (Catmint), Phlox, Lobelia 'Queen Victoria', Lythrum, Penstemon and many many others. All the above are long flowering and should flower in the first year.

 

Thanks, Peter, that has given me some names to be getting on with. I tend to get so overwhelmed with choice of seed packets at the gardening centre that i don't know where to start. Is there an online seed shop which is better / cheaper than the gardening centre? Also, I only really have the conservatory window sill available for pots. Would that be OK (it is not heated at night and does get chilly)?

 

Rosie, in my experiance, in all walks of life - not just gardening, it is easy to get overwhelmed by a new subject. I think the solution is just to get stuck in - somewhere - anywhere. Just grow something - it doesn't really matter what. In the process of doing that we all learn a lot. We learn what questions we should be asking, whether we really want to be doing it at all, and what sort of plants we like or do not like. Thats the way I started. As you learn more you can start to explore the various avenues that are available to you.

There are lots of online seeds shops. Just Google seeds and then fight your way past all the canabis links (or not as you wish). Here are a few.
http://fothergills.co.uk/
http://www.thompson-morgan.com/
http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seeds/pages/?source=espotting
http://www.secretseeds.com/acatalog/index2.html
But I wouldn't worry about on-line except as a source of information. There are loads of seeds in garden centres, and they will be the same price as the same company on-line. You may like to get a catalog from the first two - I am sure you can apply on-line. Those catalogues are illustrated and give you all sorts of additional information - size, flowering time, if they flower in the first year etc. They are very good for referance.

I am sure your conservatory windowsill will do fine. But there is no rush to sow things, it will still be some time before it is warm enough to put them out in the garden.

 

Hi Rosie Ajuga and Creeping Jenny are both good ground covering plants sometimes a little too good i.e. they spread like crazy both are perennials, Ajuga flowers but it's the leaves that matter with this plant as you can get them in a great deal of colour mixes, as for Creeping Jenny a lovely green plant that sports cute little butter-cup like flowers.

Other plants to try would be perennial geraniums these are not too much of a thrug but do spread lovely and they come in a great deal of different colours and are quite eye catching.Hel.xxx.

 

Thanks again for the advice! Will look into Ajuga and Creeping Jenny, too.

 

also the peiwinkles lesser and major make good ground cover plants.