Planting scheme...

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Loofah, Aug 19, 2009.

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  1. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    Time to get the creative juices flowing!

    I'm blocking off a fairly small area (approx 2.5m square but in an odd shape, think of an L-shaped section but with internal angle as a curve) to one side of an archway to 'funnel' people through it rather than around. It's quite shady and sheltered and I'll be planting an acer thats not doing so well in a pot. So what else could you all suggest to complement the area? Ferns? Heusera? (sp!)
     
    Loofah, Aug 19, 2009
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  2. strawman

    strawman Gardener

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    Heuchera makes a wonderful show all year round, and they come in an incredible variety of colours, too. I've had some for a few years and I love them.
     
    strawman, Aug 20, 2009
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  3. Sussexgardener

    Sussexgardener Gardener

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    I'd go for Heucheras too - there seem to be an every increasing amount of colours to choose from and with clever planting they can look really effective (they also get quite big, but adapt well to being divided).
     
    Sussexgardener, Aug 20, 2009
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  4. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    How about some nice fragrant plants. There aren't many that like shade but maybe Hosta 'Guacamole' would suit, its a lovely architectural plant as well.
     
    JWK, Aug 20, 2009
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  5. plant1star

    plant1star Gardener

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    What about some christmas roses, helebores. Ladys mantle would also go there, which has lime green/lemon yellow flowers. Bergenia, elephants ears, which have big flower spikes, but again come in a number of verieties, so you could have some really big leaf specimines.

    What about one of my favourites, Japanese Anenomes, they don't mind shade, and would give some nice flowers.

    You could go for grasses, like ophiopogon nigrescens, which is a black grass, but has nice pink blooms.
    I would look at a shrub to go in there that is evergreen, thinking about winter colour/interest, what about aucuba japonica.

    Hope this Helps!
     
    plant1star, Aug 20, 2009
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  6. Blackthorn

    Blackthorn Gardener

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    For evergreen winter scented shrubs, you could have Sarcoccoca (Christmas box) or a Daphne odora.

    For summer flowers you cannot beat Dicentra formosa for sheer length of flowering time, also has beautiful divided blue/green foliage.
     
    Blackthorn, Aug 20, 2009
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  7. Blackthorn

    Blackthorn Gardener

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    The Japanese painted fern would also look lovely there.
     
    Blackthorn, Aug 20, 2009
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  8. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    Eeeeeexcellent... (in a Mr Burns stylie)! Many thanks All, you've helped me out a lot! Will get to finding some plants and let you know how it goes (eventually) :)
     
    Loofah, Aug 20, 2009
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  9. plant1star

    plant1star Gardener

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    Don't forget to make sure you have colour or flowers throughout the year!!!
     
    plant1star, Aug 20, 2009
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  10. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    Yes Mum, I will! :D
     
    Loofah, Aug 20, 2009
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  11. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    So here we are!

    Start...
    [​IMG]

    Planted!
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    In there I have the acer that wasn't looking too healthy, a very small carex bronze curls, some switch grass that will turn reddish purple in the autumn, a couple of evergreen tongue ferns, a japanese painted fern and a ground cover spready thing that I can't remember the name of (semi evergreen).

    I forgot I hate removing turf and there's a lot of growing in to do but once established it should look pretty good!
     
    Loofah, Aug 20, 2009
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  12. plant1star

    plant1star Gardener

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    Can you wait that long???? Thought you would have gone for an 'instant' look!

    Looks good!
     
    plant1star, Aug 20, 2009
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  13. Blackthorn

    Blackthorn Gardener

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    Could that be an Ajuga (Bugle)?

    Looking lovely already Loofah :gnthb:
     
    Blackthorn, Aug 20, 2009
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  14. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    That's the chap!

    OK... maybe I'll add in a few more plants tomorrow... I'm off to put out some crayfish traps!
     
    Loofah, Aug 20, 2009
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  15. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    Extra....

    Have added some cyclamen plants into the border now so more spaces filled and it smells great!

    I also had a grand total of 2 crayfish when I checked the traps. Must try harder!
     
    Loofah, Aug 21, 2009
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