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Post by Mr Grinch on Feb 15, 2007 14:39:49 GMT
Hi all, I have a tricky border that doesnt seem to fall into any category's that the various plant finder websites throw up. Here's the situation, i would like to know any plants that would do well, they must have a decent showing of flowers with a mix of Perennials and shrubs. Here goes: 1. The border is East facing with a fence behind it with parts having an overhanging deciduous tree from next door. 2. The soil is heavy clay, which i have improved with vasts amount of compost. 3. In the winter in wet weather it gets very wet with standing water at the edges of the border. This water takes a day to drain away. 4. In the summer the border gets dry with the overhanging tree sucking up all the water BUT in heavy rain still gets wet with standing water to the edges but drains away/evaporates quicker than the winter. Further improving the drainage would be costly as the area used to be an old deep ditch and drains would be out of the question. A pond would also be out as i have a young child. So if anyone has any thoughts on planting, it would be greatly appreciated !! Mr  |
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Post by madonplants on Feb 15, 2007 15:59:05 GMT
Hi all, I have a tricky border that doesnt seem to fall into any category's that the various plant finder websites throw up. Here's the situation, i would like to know any plants that would do well, they must have a decent showing of flowers with a mix of Perennials and shrubs. Here goes: 1. The border is East facing with a fence behind it with parts having an overhanging deciduous tree from next door. 2. The soil is heavy clay, which i have improved with vasts amount of compost. 3. In the winter in wet weather it gets very wet with standing water at the edges of the border. This water takes a day to drain away. 4. In the summer the border gets dry with the overhanging tree sucking up all the water BUT in heavy rain still gets wet with standing water to the edges but drains away/evaporates quicker than the winter. Further improving the drainage would be costly as the area used to be an old deep ditch and drains would be out of the question. A pond would also be out as i have a young child. So if anyone has any thoughts on planting, it would be greatly appreciated !! Mr Why would having a child mean no pond? I know what you are going to say, but my two kids have grown up with ponds all their life, even 'help' build the last one. They appeciate them and know the dangers. We also go on boating holidays most years. They help with the ropes and locks, but they do wear life jackets. Safety first, but most accidents occur when the child is not used to the danger, like at granny's house or going to a neighbour with a pond. My eldest (12) now teaches this to his mates, got to be a good thing. Around our way the kids going swimming in the river and my 12 year old hates that, as he knows the dangers from under water obstructions and vials disease you can get from rats urine. Education is what kids need. You teach your kids road safety, why not water safety. More kids are killed from cars than ponds, do you stop them walking down the road? A couple of years ago when we were on the broads, two people, no kids died all year, by being drunk and slipping off the boat at night. Sorry rant over. I really am sorry, honest! Keith P.s. Got to go out, but I will think further about your problem. Back shortly if we can still be friends!!  |
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Post by andy on Feb 15, 2007 16:52:21 GMT
Maybe you should be looking at the ericaceous plants which originate from acid woodland areas which are constantly damp.
Japanese maples, pierris, azaleas, rhodos etc should make ideal candidates for the area.
When the garden's wet in winter, the plants will not be growing so it shouldn't hurt the plant. Summer watering in very dry conditions is essential until they're established.
Or a bog garden.....hostas, astilbes, lobelia cardinalis, acorus and even gunnera would love it....but again, summer watering in very dry conditions would be needed.
HTH a bit
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Post by Mr Grinch on Feb 16, 2007 8:27:20 GMT
Unfortunately madonplants i do not agree with your views ! In my line of work, i have seen too many children knocked down. This is after being taught road safety at school and by their parents. To me having a pond with a toddler crawling/running around and who is too young to know right from wrong is an unacceptable risk. Besides the area would be too large and take up a lot of the garden. I want my garden to look gorgeous but safe for my children to play in. If its not then i might as well leave the back gate open.
Back to the point, do you know of any plants that would suit ? I might try Andy's suggestion of a Pieris. I was really looking for something a bit more showy (flowers etc...)
Mr G
;D
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2007 9:36:57 GMT
I know I've said it before but what about an Acorus? It gets to about 6x4ft and is like a massive Astilbe. I've just bought two which admittedly I haven't tried out yet but I have a similar situation to you and apparently they're ideal for it, liking it damp and shady. What about Brunnera which are like big forget-me-nots and like it cool, damp and shady. I've got a little bog garden too with a Loosestrife in it and it thrives and flowers there in dappled shade. Maybe a Fuchsia even? Or Pulmonaria, Marsh Marigold, Hemp Agrimony or other bog garden plants? Some of them are really pretty - Mimulus, Ranunculus, etc etc. And there are some lovely rushes and grasses out there.  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2007 10:13:28 GMT
Ooh, and also Guelder Rose or Viburnum Opulus - likes a boggy site as long as it isn't too shady. Mine's planted right under our neighbours' massive Horse Chestnut but fingers crossed it will like it there as you couldn't call it dense shade there.  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2007 11:24:21 GMT
Unfortunately madonplants i do not agree with your views ! In my line of work, i have seen too many children knocked down. This is after being taught road safety at school and by their parents. To me having a pond with a toddler crawling/running around and who is too young to know right from wrong is an unacceptable risk. Besides the area would be too large and take up a lot of the garden. I want my garden to look gorgeous but safe for my children to play in. If its not then i might as well leave the back gate open. Back to the point, do you know of any plants that would suit ? I might try Andy's suggestion of a Pieris. I was really looking for something a bit more showy (flowers etc...) Mr G ;D You could do something like this -  |
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Post by Mr Grinch on Feb 16, 2007 11:44:10 GMT
Looks very expensive Rita !!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2007 12:52:46 GMT
I was referring to the fact it is covered and therefore not a problem where young children are concerned. |
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Post by madonplants on Feb 16, 2007 15:55:00 GMT
Unfortunately madonplants i do not agree with your views ! In my line of work, i have seen too many children knocked down. This is after being taught road safety at school and by their parents. To me having a pond with a toddler crawling/running around and who is too young to know right from wrong is an unacceptable risk. Besides the area would be too large and take up a lot of the garden. I want my garden to look gorgeous but safe for my children to play in. If its not then i might as well leave the back gate open. Back to the point, do you know of any plants that would suit ? I might try Andy's suggestion of a Pieris. I was really looking for something a bit more showy (flowers etc...) Mr G ;D I do understand, but like I did say, my two kids, one 6, next month and one 12 have always had a pond. When I say pond I don't necessarily mean a huge deep one, just a small one, around which you could grow plenty of bog plants. I know kids can drown in 3 inches of water, but it could be made safe. There are grills that can be placed at construction time, like Ritas. Not sure whether you can still get them, but there is an alarm system that sounds if anything falls in. How big is your border, is it sloping or flat? What pH is the soil? How about a sort of wildlife border, with a few river birches and ferns and hostas, maybe with a few plants that Mrs Beige suggested and a few large pieces of bogwood. If you made a woodland walk through it with bark, it would look great. I am jealous just thinking about it. Sorry I didn't get back last night. When I got home I did a spring clean in my large catfish tank. Went to bed at 1.30am, one of the filters sprang a leak!! Today I have been out all day, just got back. My first thought was this thread, so I will think on. May come back later. Hope this helps Keith |
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Post by Mr Grinch on Feb 16, 2007 19:03:13 GMT
Hi,
Its about 5 feet wide and flat ! Im not keen on ferns or hosta's, i like blowsy flowers, are there any such plants available. Ive got Astilbe already and Ligularia so looking for something a bit different.
Mr G
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Post by andy on Feb 16, 2007 19:30:10 GMT
Just watch the slugs with Ligularia.
Gunnera, Rheum, Rodgersia, camellia (although early morning sun may damage dew laden flowers), purple loostrife, Rhododendrons or even roses might do the trick....what about the gloriously scented Rosa rugosa....available in white or purple.
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Post by madonplants on Feb 16, 2007 21:46:05 GMT
How about Digitalis or Hydrangea macrophylla? With Gunnera, it would be too dry in summer, but the Rheum would be OK. I had one in a pot for a year before I planted it in the ground.
Has Filipendula been mentioned, that would do.
I mentioned the slope as I thought maybe a stream with bog plants either side, but as it's flat that wouldn't work. I know you said you thought about drainage, but could you raise the soil level up a bit? Does anyone else around your way have the same problem, what have they done or planted?
Keith
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Post by andy on Feb 17, 2007 6:42:40 GMT
My gunnera at work Keith are by the side of the pond but get no water at all. They reach 12' every year and i've only ever had to water them twice in 7 years. And that's on chalkt flinty well drained soil !!!!
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Post by oldmoleskins on Feb 17, 2007 9:21:05 GMT
if you fancy a Gunnera, Mr G. I would try one - it sounds like for 8 months of the year conditions will be ok (not perfect, but ok) and provided you water it (and since the border dries, you'll be watering everything else) you will get it through the summer.
We used to keep hundreds of big 'uns in pots all year for the trade at one time...
And think of all the jokey possibilities re custard for your spikey rhubarb!
OM.
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Post by Mr Grinch on Feb 18, 2007 18:20:04 GMT
Not into Gunnera im afraid, no flowers ! They look like large rubard !
Mr G
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Post by andy on Feb 18, 2007 18:38:44 GMT
Not into Gunnera im afraid, no flowers ! They look like large rubard ! Mr G Pah !!!!!!!!!! Peasant ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by Mr Grinch on Feb 18, 2007 19:03:55 GMT
Im not very subtle im afraid Andy. I love blousy flowers of all colours apart from white. Cottage gardens are my faves !! Mr G |
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Post by Barbara on Feb 22, 2007 20:44:32 GMT
what about japanese amenomies(sp sorry ) mine seem to grow and flower in all conditions round my garden, dry in the front garden, and wet in the back garden, they appear a darker pink in the wetter conditions. barbara |
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Post by Mr Grinch on Feb 24, 2007 8:17:20 GMT
Hi Barbara,
Yes i put some of these in 3 days ago ! Hopefully they should be ok !!
Mr G
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Post by andy on Feb 24, 2007 8:22:34 GMT
So what have we decided for the border Mr G....apart from 10 large gunnera ;D |
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Post by Mr Grinch on Feb 24, 2007 10:48:37 GMT
Well Andy here goes ! The top end of the border is much dryer and has better drainage and gets at least half a days full sun in summer ! I have put a in Hibiscus 'Blue Bird, Hellebores, Achilia 'Terracotta', Monarda 'Loddon Crown', Aquilegia McKanna Hybrids, Lupins various, Aster 'Monch', Honeysuckle 'Serotina' and five various HT Roses. I have space for more but havnt decided yet. The wetter, shadier side im taking a gamble with, here are the plants that ive planted so far: Geranium 'phaeum samobor', a mixed planting of Aquilegia vulgaris 'William Guiness' and 'Black Barlow', a large pot bound Rose 'Highfield' which has gone at the back, Iris Sibirica 'Sparkling Rose' and 'Butter and Sugar' and a Anemone. Not sure of the variety as it was given to me from someone else garden. Its pink and get to about 75cm. Again ive still got room for more so any help would be appreciated. Next door who has the same tricky border grow plants that you wouldnt think would survive (Clematis Montana etc....) So im hoping that these plants should be a problem. Mr G |
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