New herbaceous border

TMAK · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:20 pm Post subject: New herbaceous border

Hi Everyone,

This is the year I am finally going to get around to creating a large herbaceous border. I have an area that is currently lawn that I am going to turn into this border. The area in question is approx. 8m long and I am going to make the border about 2m deep. The border will face south and is in sun most of the day, there is a young hedge behind it, and the soil is drained peat. I will be removing the turf and digging in some organic matter.
I would love to see some pics from anyone who has a similar border. and would love suggestions of your favourite plants that you couldn't be without.

Also I have read that people put maintenance paths through a deep border like this, Has anyone done this and how did you go about it, How big is the path, how far bac, what surface etc.

I am hoping to keep a journal of sorts on this thread.

Thank you,

Tommy

TMAK · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 8:48 am Post subject:

I was in homestore today and they had some summer bulbs and perrinials. Got them all potted up in the greenhouse. Tree Lily’s, asiatic Lily’s, red hot pokers, nerines, and dahlias. Should be a good start. Have 4 thujias too for a backbone and plenty of divisions from last year. Now hopefully the weather will improve so I can start digging.

TMAK · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 10:34 pm Post subject:

Just had some seeds delivered today.
Coleus
Sunflowers
nasturtiums
African Marigolds
French Marigolds
Nigella
scabious
Rudbeckia Goldilocks
castor oil red, and green
miss willmots ghost
Cosmos
Callendula

and some Cannas,

Just thinking that the annuals would be handy this year for filling in some gaps while the perennials are growing in

next few weeks will be busy sowing

tagwex · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 10:54 am Post subject:

You're going for it TMAK hard and fast.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2019 6:08 pm Post subject:

Hi Tommy, I have a 'long' border. It is only 4-5 ft deep but 70ft long. I garden on drained peat too. Over the years I have added sand, grit and topsoil, normall when I am planting something. My border is west facing.

Over the years I have tried most of the plants you list, but have only had luck with cosmos and calendula. Scabious and rudbeckia failed dismally. You might have more luck with a south facing border, but it may have something to do with the soil too.

My best 'doers' are fennel, Japanese anemones, catmint, agapanthus, lillies, various marjorams, hellebore and heucheras. In spring I fill the gaps with snowdrops, mini daffs and wild primrose.

TMAK · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 9:18 am Post subject:

Thanks for the info Sue. Your border sounds great. Would love to see pics sometime.
Tagwex yes going at it hard and hopefully fast. Got all the digging done over the weekend and a couple of hours in the evenings this week. The weather has been great for this kind of work.

TMAK · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 9:34 am Post subject:

A few pics of the progress so far
I had a little helper the first while but the wages were not good enough to keep him interested!!

Sue Deacon · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 9:42 am Post subject:

Wow, that's a good site, nice and open and flat! I'll send some photos when I am next on my laptop.

TMAK · Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2019 8:29 pm Post subject:

Just a quick update on the border so far. I have been planting a lot in it over the last few weeks. Most are divisions I took last autumn and the result of a greenhouse full of cuttings and seeds grown this year and last year. I’m afraid I am not the bed at keeping track of specific names so it’s going to be a surprise this year. If anything doesn’t look right it can be moved next year. There is always room for a new project!!!

Greengage · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 6:45 am Post subject:

The conifers behind will suck up all nutrients and water from soil. So there out.
The conifer in the bed whose name escapes me at the moment will get too big so that out.
The tree which I cannot ID should be moved to one end, A malus or Mulberry would look good here.
Towards the front plant some low growing plants easy to mind like Nepeta, (Cat Mint)Stachys, 9Lambs ear) Perevoskia,(Russian Sage) geranium Rosanne or Johnsons blue, all can be cut back hard in late Autumn, Try to have something in flower all year round, Allium bulbs would look good too. you have a blank palette there. keep us posted.

TMAK · Posted: Wed May 15, 2019 10:11 pm Post subject:

Sorry I only realised the pics never uploaded in my last post

TMAK · Posted: Wed May 15, 2019 10:21 pm Post subject:

TMAK · Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2019 8:56 pm Post subject:

Just said I’d post an update
It’s filling in nicely.

Greengage · Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2019 5:27 pm Post subject:

Looks good your going to be busy.

tagwex · Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2019 10:06 pm Post subject:

Looks great. Well done.