Under planting an Amelanchier Lamarckii

Hi everyone,

I’m now turning my attention to the design of a small rectangular border which has a multistem Amelanchier Lamarckii in the centre. It’s small at the moment but will grow in time. I’m looking to underplant the tree with plants that compliment it and the other planting in the garden. The border is in a sunny spot but will benefit from light shade once the tree is established.

I’ve had a look online for ideas and had a first stab (see photos). It’s not filling me with joy at the moment though. In the design at present is Salvia Nemerosa Caradonna, Yarrow, Nepeta Walkers Low, Brunerra Macrophylla Jack Frost, Myostis, Hakonechloa Macra.

Decent improved top soil on light clay. Slightly acidic.

I do love grasses so maybe it needs some more height with some grass?

Any ideas/criticism/help welcomed.

many thanks,

Ed

 

It looks very pretty, but I think if it were mine, I’d go for fewer plants to prevent it looking “bitty”. If you choose things with a long season, you could still have yr round interest. I don’t think your choices are lacking height. You don’t want to take away from the central feature.

How big is the bed the tree is in?

 

A young tree will need lots of water while it is getting established so I would keep planting to a minimum, perhaps one plant repeated in each of the four corners of the bed. Nepeta is a good option, maybe a more compact variety like Purrsian Blue or Cats Pajamas, terrible names but nice plants!

 

I agree with @ViewAhead. I too think it would benefit from stripping back. Some of the plants listed can grow to quite a substantial size as well. @Plantminded is right as well. I think having too many plants will indeed make it more difficult to keep the tree happy, and amelanchiers I believe don't like to dry too much, or they get powdery mildew.

I would also consider stripping back the range of colours. For instance, it seems that the yarrow you have chosen has terracotta blooms, which to me clashes a little with those of the salvia caradonna. I would maybe choose 2 colours max and focus on variants of them.

Finally, I am a bit confused about the amount of sun - salvias for instance like full sun, but brunnera are mostly a shade plant. I suspect the spot might end up being sunnier than you think.