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Post by oldmoleskins on Aug 17, 2006 8:49:55 GMT
well, hi everyone... I'll be helping out over the weekend preparing a friends new 'formal' garden, laying matting and gravel.
They've created 5 areas ringed with young box plants, and 4 of these will have to be filled next year. They're each 5m x 2.5m, so reaching over to the middle for deadheading shouldn't be too bad. The box will be stopped at about 18inches. Perennials preferred.
Any ideas for the "fill"?
OM.
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Post by Chuckles on Aug 17, 2006 10:01:13 GMT
How about penstemons as a starter for 10
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Post by Rosefriend on Aug 17, 2006 17:07:54 GMT
Hi
There are so many things but to start with the I would suggest standard roses. Perhaps 2 of the 4 beds, - or even one. Then Lavander - it doesn't stop greenfly as they are always boasting about. That is to say that if it is a greenfly year then it will also get greenfly along with the roses.
The new Echinacea Hybrids "Sunrise" and "Sunsets" would look great.
Hows about Salvia , Hosta , Hellborus, Agastache Rugosa etc etc.
Also Hydrangea arborescens "Annabell" or "Arrabelle" - can never remember which it is.
Standard Olive Tree in a large ceramic pot perhaps.
The list is endless
Have fun
Rosefriend
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 17, 2006 18:25:50 GMT
Evening all. A formal garden - I love em but I can't do em ( too messy)! As well as the excellent suggestions above - how about some of the following: Hyssop, Tricolour ,Green and Purple Sage in the same bed, Bronze Fennel with Echinacea, Golden Feverfew, Cream and Gold Oregano, English Marigolds, Bishop of Llandorf Dahlias with Eschscolzias, Eryngiums with black Scabious. I know most of them are herbs but they're my favourites..
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Post by Rosefriend on Aug 17, 2006 18:38:13 GMT
hi 4P What a great selection. My OH wants me to try a herb garden - getting older - must do something to stay healthy dear  Thanks for a lot of good suggestions Rosefriend |
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 17, 2006 19:02:39 GMT
Evening Rosefriend, Ooh, do have a herb garden, they are glorious things. You can't beat herbs - attractive, useful and easy! I have loved them for years. Most of my garden was planted herbs at one point but I am trying to combine them with other plants now and native flowers too. I think you live in Germany, don't you? If you can try and watch Sarah Ravens hour long GW special from last week on the BBC's web site. It was really good - that will inspire you!
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Post by Rosefriend on Aug 17, 2006 19:09:31 GMT
Hi 4P
You can help me further in that we have sandy soil - how will I fair with that? Must I add to the soil or is it OK.?I must admit I do not know anything about Herb Gardens except that I have chives and parsley each year and that parsley must not be planted in the same place two years running.
I am assuming that parsley doesn't like itself - or is there another reason?
English TV is difficult here but we have Digital TV and I get BBC Prime. There are always some gardening programmes on but they are mostly 2 to 3 years out of date. One of the reasons that I like chatting to other gardeners in the UK - I can find out what's new!!!!
Rosefriend
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 18, 2006 12:30:38 GMT
Hello Rosefriend - I have very sandy soil too which is good for most herbs. All the Mediterranean herbs will love it. Parsley prefers a slightly richer more shady spot - I don't know about the not growing in the same spot bit. I've never come across that before. If you think your soil is very poor, you could add a bit of nourishment but the secret with sun loving herbs is sharp drainage. They really hate sitting in wet soil so some added compost with grit should be about right. In my experience, once you start growing herbs you'll just want more and more....that's why I grow so many from seed. The only ones I have real trouble with are the French Lavenders, it's just too cold here in the winter, which is a shame as I love Lavender. I have to stick with the tough Old English augustifolia type and have some dwarf Hidcote Lavenders in pots. To get you started, I would suggest you pick the ones you might use in cooking and the ones you like to look at and take it from there. I really hope they grow well and you end up as obsessed as me!
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Post by Rosefriend on Aug 18, 2006 12:47:19 GMT
Hello 4P You really have given me food for thought. I haven't got room for a herb garden on it s own but if I mixed them in with shrubs and flowers it should be alright shouldn't it? It is far too cold here for French Lavender here too. It is a shame as the French Lavender is much nicer than the augustifolia types as you quite rightly say. I will start my brain working for next years planting. If you have any others great ideas don't keep them to yourself will you  Rosefriend |
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 18, 2006 15:33:54 GMT
Glad to be of service! And actually there is a specialist herb nursery in Norfolk which has one of the sweetest little gardens I've ever seen - it is actually a small rose garden with bronze fennel growing through the (mostly pink) roses and other herbs tucked in all over the place. It's gorgeous, riotous, smells fantastic and very appropriate for you, Rosefriend!
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Post by oldmoleskins on Aug 18, 2006 15:37:37 GMT
well, thanks everyone for the suggestions - it means I can turn up flush with ideas if asked.
I'll take a pic of 'work in progress' and post as a later message in case that triggers any more.
OM.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2006 15:46:56 GMT
Hi 4P, just wondering if you could tell me where the herb garden is? I'd love to visit it, bronze fennel and pink roses are two of my favourites (along with lots of lavender) and I'm in need of more ideas for the new borders I'm planning  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 18, 2006 16:20:46 GMT
Ooh, someone in Norfolk! The nursery is near Dereham, called Norfolk Herbs. The lady who runs it is brilliant and sells loads of herbs. Hope the garden is still there - haven't been for a couple of years - it's part of the sales area. It made a huge impression on me!
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Post by oldmoleskins on Aug 19, 2006 7:51:46 GMT
just had a look in the phone book - Norfolk Herbs, Blackberry Farm, Dillington. Must be them?
OM
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Post by Spruance on Aug 19, 2006 8:53:47 GMT
Evening Rosefriend, Ooh, do have a herb garden, they are glorious things. You can't beat herbs - attractive, useful and easy! I have loved them for years. Most of my garden was planted herbs at one point but I am trying to combine them with other plants now and native flowers too. I think you live in Germany, don't you? If you can try and watch Sarah Ravens hour long GW special from last week on the BBC's web site. It was really good - that will inspire you! Hi 4P, Sorry to put a fly in the ointment so to speak, but my understanding of the BBC's online policy is that only UK viewers can watch the online streaming content. I think it's seen by the BBC as something that we've already paid for via the TV Licence. Consequently, with Rosefriend being in Germany, her IP address will identify her as such, and she won't be able to see the videos. Try by all means Rosefriend, but I suspect that I am right. It's a pity really, as it would be a handy way for ex-pats to keep in touch with Dear Old Blighty!! ;D Spruance |
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Post by Dr Bill on Aug 19, 2006 9:12:38 GMT
there is a specialist herb nursery in Norfolk which has one of the sweetest little gardens I've ever seen If anyone in the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire area is interested there is a similar garden (called appropriately enough The Herb Garden) near Tibshelf in Derbyshire. They have a mind boggling variety of lavenders. We have just bought a load with a view to planting them in a little area near to a seat - should be a lovely pong in the summer |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Aug 19, 2006 10:58:04 GMT
ok all, have completed the matting and gravelling, and all suggestions to date were gratefully recieved. This should show the areas to be filled, and any further help with suggestions appreciated:  OM |
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Post by Rosefriend on Aug 19, 2006 13:18:51 GMT
Yes Spruance we do have problems here. We ended up with digital kabel TV for the simple reason that at least I can get BBC Prime and although the programmes are 2 to 3 years old it does keep my English going a bit. Plus it helps my OH keep his spoke in. Having said that we never speak English at all in the house except when a couple of English friends come and then we have a chat in English - once again just so we do not forget. It is very easy to forget vocabulary when one doesn't use the language on a daily basis. Plus the fact one does get older unfortunately  ;D Anyway now I have got you lot to keep me up to date ;D ;D Rosefriend |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2006 20:40:12 GMT
Sage is fab - evergreen, useful and there are several coloured leaf varieties too.
And Dianthus - always looks neat, and the scent - lovely.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2006 16:20:38 GMT
If you look up le Chateau de Villandry in the Loire Valley - it has the most amazing gardens. There is a fo;rmal "kitchen" garden with box in all different shapes and they fill the spaces with all sorts of plants like red cabbages, lettuces, herbs - it is truly fantastic. You may have been there but it is well worth a visit. I go quite regularly as I only live an hour away from it and I just love it. You can do a Virtual Tour on the Internet. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2006 16:22:09 GMT
Forgot to say that Jekka MacVicar is probably the foremost herb expert and does mail order. Her catalogue is brilliant.
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Post by oldmoleskins on Aug 27, 2006 13:59:16 GMT
Well, thanks again each and every... plenty to be going on with there, then.
OM
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;D