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Filling the border...fast!

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It’s count-down time here, and the garden needs to be ready for visitors in 8 days’ time! The notice is up on the gate… So it was quite a race to get the new narrow border (created by the new path) ready and planted.

I found that the problem with it was that it was close to the wall, and when I tried to dig, I hit the wall foundations. OH came with his pickaxe and tried to loosen the stones, and I wielded my sharp ended trowel and dug some out. Eventually, the border was about 5 – 6" deep, and we filled it with a mixture of topsoil and compost, with a few chicken manure pellets.

I had a little list of ideas for a mostly shaded border, and I did find some of them… Walk down the path with me and take a look at what I planted.

In the narrow end, you can see some little Erigeron karvinskianus plants. I’ve been propagating these for my plant stall, so I just used three little ones. This end of the border does get some sun, so I hope they’ll be OK there.

I found a tray of six small Dianthus and they fitted in next, where there’s not a lot of room.

You’ll see that I’ve added some Busy-Lizzies in the ‘gaps’ all the way along – I grew these in the greenhouse.

Next, I’ve planted a Tiarella ‘Spring Symphony’ – there’s another one further along. They still have some flowers on them.

I wanted a few Hostas in the border, and this one is called ‘Brim Cup’. I chose these because of the edges of the leaves.

I did say I’d plant Geraniums! Obviously, I couldn’t plant a real spreader here, with so little room, so I found one called G. ibericum White Zigana’. They’re in bud – they should flower soon, I hope!

I had some pots of this grass – ‘Briza maxima’, which is an annual, and I hope they seed themselves into the border for next year. They don’t mind shade.

I love Heucheras and Heucherellas, so ‘Tapestry’ with its pink flowers fits in where the border widens a bit.

This next plant is a spreader – it’s coming into flower now, so with any luck, there’ll be some colour soon. It’s Campanula portenschlagiana…try saying that in a hurry! Talk about a tongue-twister! I planted four of these – I’ll have to make sure that they don’t try a take-over bid of the path, though…

Well, this is the last section, just to give you an idea of what it looks like. Yes, there’s soil showing…not like me at all – but the Busy-lizzies should spread in the next few weeks… and fill some of the spaces.

Oh yes, and the final plant is an Ajuga – I have one in another corner of the garden, and I was pleased to find this. It’s unusual to see a pink one. It’s called ‘Little Court Pink’.

It’s really hard to capture the whole border in one photo – my camera won’t do it, but you’ve seen the plants in it, and it makes such a difference to the ‘look’ of the new path to have plants next to it. Now then – hurry up and flower, you Geraniums, Campanulas and Busy-lizzies – you have just over a week to bloom!

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Comments

 

Looks great already - good luck

26 May, 2010

 

Don't get stressed Spritz. it looks lovely, i wish i could come and see it.lol.

26 May, 2010

 

It looks good to me I am sure your visitors will like it as well.

26 May, 2010

 

Am so looking forward to coming over on the 03rd, Spritz, and seeing your beautiful garden in all its finery! Love the new pathway, by the way, and the Campanula P.spreads like you wouldn't believe, so be warned, (I have it in my garden, and it is proving to be a real carpeter!!) LOL! :~))

26 May, 2010

 

Looking good Barbara. You've given me the solution to where to put my Campanula, thanks in my 17ft x 8in border which I cleared yesterday of ivy.

26 May, 2010

 

You're welcome, Pip. Isn't ivy an absolute pain to get rid of!

I know about this particular Camapanula, Flori - it's allowed to spread sideways, but it'll get trodden on if it invades the path! :-((

26 May, 2010

 

That border will look so lovely as it fills out, Spritz, and softens the edges of your new pathway~can't wait to meet up again next week my friend! :~))

26 May, 2010

 

Tell me about it Barbara it took me from early morning until 8 at night to do that long narrow strip. When I received the campanula I repotted it until I had somewhere prepared. There is never any point in rushing in and then ideas come along :~))

26 May, 2010

 

Looks lovely - I'm sure your visitors will appreciate all the effort you've gone to.

26 May, 2010

 

What an achievement, with a bit of sun and hopefully a drop of rain that weve been promised it will fill out beautifully.

26 May, 2010

 

You are going to have the perfect ediging there Barbara to show off your new path, good luck with your Open Day hope the sun shines for you;0)

26 May, 2010

 

absolutely lovely, wish i could come to your garden too

26 May, 2010

 

Wish I could be amongst your visitors Spritz,,as it is I`ll admire from your pics.
Wishing you well for your open day......

26 May, 2010

 

Its looking lovely already Spritz, I`m sure it will look fantastic came your open day. :o)

26 May, 2010

 

Thanks, everyone! :-0)

26 May, 2010

 

Good luck looking lovely.

26 May, 2010

 

Thank you, Carol.

26 May, 2010

 

looks really lovely & good luck with your open day

26 May, 2010

 

Good luck for your open day ! I hope all goes well and that the weather is perfect for everyone to enjoy their visit. I like your new border and the plants you've put there, especially the grass Briza maxima. It's very pretty and I like the sound of it's name lol :o)

27 May, 2010

 

looking forward to seeing it for real soon :)))))))))))))))))))))

27 May, 2010

 

a lovely collection of plants there spritz. You will find they perform splendidly and i bet on time too. with you in spirit if not in person.

27 May, 2010

 

It sounds as though I'm going to have several GOY-ers here again - which is GREAT!!

I wish you could all come....:-(((

27 May, 2010

 

I wish I could come too. Hope to see you in the future, but good luck.
Linda

28 May, 2010

 

Thanks, Linda - you are a bit far away to just 'pop in', aren't you! LOL. If you ever have a holiday in the West Country, come and visit! :-)))

29 May, 2010

 

Lovely, lovely, lovely. You have done a fab job there. I absolutely love the grass that I can almost hear "rattling" in the breeze. I wish you a great day next week.

29 May, 2010

 

WOW. Such a large variety of plants in a small border.
It'll look stunning in a couple of weeks.
Can't wait to see some future pics :)

29 May, 2010

 

Thank you both - the grass is supposed to self-seed, so I do hope it does for me...I think it's a wonderful one! I'm also looking at the buds on the geraniums and telling them to get a move on!! :-)

29 May, 2010

 

Its looking good Spritz....hope the day is a massive success....:o)

30 May, 2010

 

Thanks, Alice...IF we get some fine weather to get the grass cut, that would be a good start! :-O

30 May, 2010

 

if you find your lacking in the Briza let me know, it grows everywhere round here

30 May, 2010

 

I sure will! Thanks. :-))

30 May, 2010

 

Really lovely, everything looks so natural, just wish I would be able to come and see it, but unfortunately not, so just keep coming with those pictures. I sure will keep my eyes on them

30 May, 2010

 

Thanks, Titchy, I will. Shame you can't come, though. :-((

30 May, 2010

 

It's looking great Barbara, hoping to see the real thing on the 10th. I've asked Peter if I can make a badge of the GoY logo so you will spot us. Maybe others may want to do the same. Good Luck for Thursday. Pam.

31 May, 2010

 

That's great, Pam! I know of at least two others coming on the 10th, plus Flori on the 3rd. :-))) I'm looking forward to meeting you and seeing them again...I met Flori at Malvern, and have already met Louise and Grindle. :-)

31 May, 2010

 

:) I'm coming armed with a trowel LOL

1 Jun, 2010

 

i shall warn the gate-keepers, Grindle! You'll get 'frisked'....LOL.

1 Jun, 2010

 

Gorgeous Spritz,
Good luck with your open days and I can't wait to come down and see you!

1 Jun, 2010

 

Thanks, Ian. Shame you can't get down until your holiday, but there will be different things in bloom by then, and you can have a 'private guided tour'. LOL.

1 Jun, 2010

 

LOL

1 Jun, 2010

 

As I say, I've been looking forward to it since the beginning of the year. :~))

1 Jun, 2010

 

:-))))

1 Jun, 2010

 

Looks amazing really nice to see a narrow border planted so well.

2 Jun, 2010

 

it's looking really good!
Best wishes for a very successful open day and of course good weather!~will be Dexter sitting this weekend so can't get there~

2 Jun, 2010

 

That's a shame, Arlene - there's always next week, though! ;-)

Thank you, both of you, Elliot and Arlene - It really has made a difference to the 'look' of the new path. :-)))

2 Jun, 2010

 

Sorry this is late, but have been working non stop this last two weeks, love the selection of plants you have used, hope all went well on your Open Day sorry we could not make it, so pleased the weather was lovely and warm, I am sure the day was a great success.

3 Jun, 2010

 

hope its bin brill and the wether was gud as well x

3 Jun, 2010

 

It was, thank you both - the sun shone on us and Flori came with her husband! I'm still up - v.v.v. late for me, but can't relax yet!!!

3 Jun, 2010

 

glad you had such lovely weather for your open day, hope next week is as good :)

4 Jun, 2010

 

Fingers crossed, Grindle....we were v. lucky yesterday...:-) By the way, somebody thought that Carex was a Photinia!

4 Jun, 2010

 

Glad you had a good day Barbara, see you next week. Pam

4 Jun, 2010

 

I'm looking forward to it, Pam! :-)

4 Jun, 2010

 

Lovely blog Spritz, glad it all went well for you after all your efforts. I'd love to visit it, but I'm afraid this is the only way I can unless you could move it nearer. Love the little pink ajuga:-)

4 Jun, 2010

 

It's an unusual one, isn't it, Ba. I wish you could all come....I know it's too far for many people, though. :-(((

4 Jun, 2010

 

You've filled in the pathway border very nicely and so quickly! I really need to get a move on with mine. Have noted all the ones you listed for me Barbara and shall be going down the garden centre as soon as.

8 Jun, 2010

 

You're very welcome, Annelise - and do please ask again if I can help any more. :-)))

8 Jun, 2010

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