I STILL hate Comfrey!

36 comments

As you may remember, I’ve been trying to remove more of the Comfrey (Symphytum) from my garden.

I succeeded in getting a barrow-load out, and planted up the area. This is what it looked like when I’d finished.

Then, moving further to the left under the first of three tall Poplar trees, I hit a snag – well, I’ll rephrase that – a root or three! Talk about making life difficult! I ended up planting a Persicaria amplexicaulis and tucking Ajugas in which I hope will spread as ground cover. It looks a bit bare, but better than Comfrey, anyway. They are Ajuga reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’ which don’t mind shade, and have a lovely foliage colour: pink, cream and green.

But, me being me, I am always looking at what I’ve done and re-jigging it until I’m satisfied with the planting. I wasn’t entirely happy with the first section…

Off I went on an expedition to see what I could come up with – as well as to get inspiration for a completely shaded area behind the Poplar.

And I found what was lacking.. the ooomph factor!

Astilbe chinensis ‘’Diamonds and Pearls’. The shorter Astilbe ‘Sprite’ needed to be moved forward, and the new tall one would show up against Eupatorium ‘Chocolate’.

So the Astrantia has moved to the left, near the Poplar tree, and Astilbe ‘Sprite’ has gone in its place in front of the Weigela.

And what did I plant behind Poplar tree no. 1? Two Pulmonarias called ‘Ocupol’ which have silver leaves, and in the spring, pale pearly-blue flowers.

Yes, I can just hear what you are saying – “What a fuss-pot”!

Well, maybe, but I do like to enjoy the results of my planting – it’s got to satisfy me. I think it does, now.

However, the next part of ‘Operation Comfrey’ is going to be a nightmare…Why? well, imagine crawling on your hands and knees under a Ribes (Flowering Currant) with a fork, and trying to dig out deep-rooted plants from between poplar roots…I think I’m quite glad it’s raining, so I can put this awful task off for a few days!

Now what would grow in shade under that Ribes…..hmmm. Well, anything has got to be better than Comfrey, hasn’t it?

21 Jul, 2009
9 likes

Comments

Arlene

It's looking good now!

21 Jul, 2009

Clarice

It looks great Barbara.

21 Jul, 2009

Lily2

I love the white astilbe against the dark leaves behind. You are not the only 'fusspot', I am exactly the same with moving things about until they are 'just so'. My husband mocks but as you say, it will always niggle and spoil the look of the planting if it's not just right. Well done with Comfrey battle - is it still ongoing or have you won?

21 Jul, 2009

Louise1

I like those combinations Spritz :)

21 Jul, 2009

Spritzhenry

Thanks....

No Lily - it's still raining here. I am certainly not crawling around in this! The Comfrey will have to wait a few days until the weather changes. There's still SOOOO much of it, I can't believe it!

I'm glad I'm not the only fuss-pot, by the way. :-)

21 Jul, 2009

Amblealice

The Eupatorium and Astilbe mix.......lovely.:))

21 Jul, 2009

Lincslass

Not a fuss-pot at all Spritz,a lady who loves her garden, it looks great love the combinations and its raining bucket loads here as well..........

21 Jul, 2009

Spritzhenry

:-( Need to get out there! Plants are toppling over! Where's the sun?

Thanks for understanding, though. :-)

21 Jul, 2009

Keithsmum

I agree, not a fusspot at all. It would have bugged you forever if you hadn't done something about it - it looks lovely. Well worth the hard work.

21 Jul, 2009

Seaburngirl

excellent blog spritz. do you fancy growing mitella under the poplar? its a small leaf ground cover or do you have it all ready? then there is pachysandra [a variegated form exists] i love this as it is evergreen.

I have just planted up the cleared border but i am not sure i like it. time will tell.

21 Jul, 2009

Mookins

Loving the Astilbe, very pretty and looks fabulous against the Chocolate

I too am a "fusspot but only a beginner, imagine what Il be like when Im at the greatness of all these gardens on GOY

x x x

21 Jul, 2009

Bonkersbon

Agree...the astilbe looks lovely against the chocolate leaves. More rain here today and it has flattened our campanula ! Worse though have been the recent high winds we have been getting.Hopefully a better forecast towards the weekend !

21 Jul, 2009

Dawnsaunt

Looks great Spritz. I admire your eye for perfection - that's what makes your garden so amazing.

21 Jul, 2009

Sandra

i love the new planting.
astilbe are one of my favorites. sooo hard working. i have a pink chinensis with a very strong short flower..

21 Jul, 2009

Spritzhenry

Awwww...what lovely comments....thank you!

Sbg - I'll be looking for shade plants and if the Mitella and Pachysandra are shallow-rooted, then they may well be in the running!

I'm not familar with Mitella - so I shall look it up. :-)

21 Jul, 2009

Ian_digs_v2

Fuss pot..................Well you knew I would.
Do you know what my gran used to say? What you worried about a little rain for.....your skins waterproof isn't it? Lol

It looks superb Barbara. :~))

22 Jul, 2009

Sanbaz

looking great barbara, nothing wrong with being a fuss pot lol

22 Jul, 2009

Majeekahead

I could'nt agree more, Spritz the planting HAS to be right... i fiddle, fiddle and fiddle some more... i am still doing in to beds i re-vamped last year lol... i think the changes are a big improvement.... well done you... oh and as to shade lovers... how bout Hosta... i'll PM you on that...

22 Jul, 2009

Wagger

What an enormous difference it makes putting Astilbe 'Sprite' in front of the Weigela - it just looks stunning. The whole planting now just looks so .......... right.

22 Jul, 2009

Spritzhenry

Thank you...at least my fellow GOY-ers understand about why I am a fuss-pot!

23 Jul, 2009

Penkate

Hi everyone,
I've just joined and am finding my way around the site. I know Comfrey is a great fertilizer but I can't remember if you soak it in water until it rots or what, does anyone know.
Penkate

24 Jul, 2009

Spritzhenry

Yes, Penkate, you put it in a bucket with water, leave it there (well away from the house - it will SMELL!!!) and then after a few weeks, drain off the liquid and dilute it down to 10:1 to feed plants.

Welcome to GOY, by the way!

24 Jul, 2009

Ian_digs_v2

Oh boy, your right about the smell Spritz. I tried this with nettles and rhubarb leaves last year and Carol refused to let me do it again this year..... LOl

24 Jul, 2009

Spritzhenry

I can't blame her... :-(

24 Jul, 2009

Ian_digs_v2

Yes but I don't like my neighbours...... Lol

24 Jul, 2009

Spritzhenry

Oh Ian. So who wins...Carol or you?

24 Jul, 2009

Ian_digs_v2

Tut was there any question about the outcome of that one???