Dead spots in mixed border, partial sun
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Posted: Sep/21/2007 5:52 AM PST
I am still working on a border backed by a 4' fence that currently has some 'dead' spots. It gets some sun, but plenty of late afternoon shade. I currently have a mix of mums, tiger lilies, cardinal flower, a climbing rose, coral bells, liatris and ...oh shoot, I can't remember the name, but it's got grey-green feathery leaves, doesn't bloom... The front of the border is lined with lariope and I pop some acidanthera and millet in for annuals. One of the mums is a tall variety that I have along the fence, but it falls over, so I am looking for a filler that will be mid-height (2'??) and will belp support the mums. The border is red/orange, but a splash of white would be ok. I've thought of some day lilies, but would like some texture variety, since those leaves will look like the tiger lilies. This is a pic from last year (my digital camera got cooked) and the area I need help with is between the yellow mums....Thanks for any suggestions.... Attachments:  |
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Posted: Sep/21/2007 8:14 AM PST
Looks like cone flower, Rudbeckia would be a good choice if it gets some sun. LB |
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Posted: Sep/21/2007 9:25 AM PST
Most plants love morning sun and afternoon shade, so that gives you a lot of choices. It's hard to tell with that picture, but I think you've got a little too much going on with all the small plants and lots of colors. You need a focal point. Rudeckia would be nice as it will become a large mass of yellow flowers and bloom most of the summer. If you have enough depth to that bed, could you fit a small blue hydrangea in? A shrub would add needed green and anchor those tall trees behind the fence to the garden. Or a vine. Is the silver foliage plant artemesia? |
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Posted: Sep/22/2007 8:57 AM PST
The depth of the bed probably wouldn't support a full grown hydrangea - I realize one of my bad habits is to cluster too many different things - as I am waiting for each one to 'grow into its own'. I have already placed two potted rudbeckia (black eyed susans??) in there to see what it would look like, and I think it works well. I asked for mid-height varieties so they won't be too tall, but that is what I was thinking as well. Yes, it is artemesia - I couldn't think of the name when I originally posted. As plants in that bed become more full, I will think about thinning out. There is a burning bush to the right of the picture - it never really 'reds' though - probably not enough sun. Thanks for the suggestions everyone! |
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Posted: Sep/22/2007 9:30 AM PST
I've started trying to fill empty spaces with larger plants or wait for my perennials to grow to their full potential! It's hard seeing a bare spot though. I like deep blue with hot colors. I have a Rozanne geranium that looks really nice with my rudbeckia and my orange crocosmia. But you also have the other requirements of shade and supporting the mums, and there aren't a lot of blue plants available. |
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Posted: Sep/22/2007 10:30 AM PST
For Rudbeckia I was think of the pink coneflower. Black Eyed Susans don't always come back for me. And I must remember next year to take a pix of the coneflowers, I also have a creamy colored one that has been nice this year. LB |
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Posted: Sep/22/2007 1:28 PM PST
I was just looking at that spot again - the cardinal flower (lobelia) looks like it will spread a good bit quickly and fill in - lots of red which I love! I may have to move and 'clump' the mums so they are not so seedy looking. I don't know that they will fill in well as time goes on. Learning curve is always straight up for me!! I just planted black eyed susans there - will see if I like them next year. |
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Posted: Oct/10/2007 6:25 AM PST
I have made a decision! I am going to make a 'coral bells' bed- using a variety of them as an anchor - the backdrop of yellow mums if I can trim them to not be so leggy next year, or tie them up sooner. Maybe they don't get enough sun... And my acidanthera in waves along the back of the fence - then it's not so busy. I need to look for a new home for the burgundy mum - it's from my wedding! But not sure where it will go - maybe just over to be the 'center', and so it's not blocking view of the climbing rose... LOVE finally making a decision and having a plan. I may even throw in a crocosmia - looked them up and they are very interesting - maybe just use a few plants as 'specimen', as they call it. Thanks everyone for chiming in! |
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Posted: Oct/10/2007 7:09 AM PST
Karslinky, I didn't think crocosmia grew in zone 5. They also need full sun. 'Lucifer', the red variety, can get quite big, at least here in zone 8. My orange crocosmia is supposedly less aggressive, but it spreads quite a bit. If you use it, you'll have to give it room. The leaves start to yellow and lay flat soon after bloom--not sure if that's what you want for your fall garden. Dark purple heucheras will look really nice with the silver foliage of your artemesia! |
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Posted: Oct/11/2007 7:44 AM PST
What else has the grey-green foliage for contrast - I am annoyed at the artemisia since it sprawls all over the place! I'm not a fan of lambs' ears or ...what is the name of that common annual people use for foliage...darn, can't think of it... Thanks for the advice of the crocosmia - I'll hold off on that for now - I have few areas that are truly full sun except the east side of the house, which is getting a line of lavender once our porch is finished. |
