I love my Spring bulb circle .. there is no doubt about that !BUT ... when it is finished it is a very empty sad looking patch in my garden .. I did extend it with more perennials to soften the line where the patio is .. but the majority of the circle NEEDS something to carry it through the rest of the season when the bulbs are finished.
I want to plant a shallow rooted (so as not to disturb the bulbs) annual in a neutral colour that won't make the area too busy looking ..
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated !!
22 comments:
Oh just get a couple packs of Alyssum seed, white, and sprinkle over the entire area!
Hiya, Joy! How long has it been since we emailed each other? That long? LOL... My goodness. I just got your email and I'm going to save it and read it later when I sit down and relax. I've been meaning to send you one every single day and never manage to sit and do it. But I do think about you every day, so that should count for something, no? LOL...
Anyway, I have a couple of areas like this, too, and I'm planning to add some annuals on top after the bulbs are done. And like you, I'm not sure what to plant. But there are some annuals that I really like, so I'll say them out loud; maybe some will work for your spot. For one, I love coleus plants. They are easy to grow and absolutely gorgeous; great foliage annuals. Then, I love zinnias with their pretty flowers. Rudbeckias - the ones that are used as annuals in our region - are also gorgeous. Dianthus - the annual types - are another great option. I grew some last summer and they bloomed all season; they were stunning. I also like to throw in a few marigolds. There are a lot of very pretty ones available and they flower all season. You can even toss in a few gazanias; they are sooooo pretty. And, let's not forget about the dependable impatiens; you really can't go wrong with them.
I can probably think of a gazillion other types of annuals I like, but I'll stop here. The sky's the limit with gardening, isn't it? Can't wait till spring...sigh...
I prolong my bulb bed with iris, early, mid and late lilies, then new to the bed, hydrangea for season long interest. I have images in my posts on Process of Design, but that may not be 'quiet' enough for your bed.Plus the bed has changed since then, but the iris and lilies remain.Each of the others leave both support and hide. It works great.
Verbenas might work well. Some are annual but even the perennial one's here would still allow the bulbs to shine during their time. 'Homestead Purple' is my favorite but there is also a red and probably several others too. A ground cover type of sedum might be good also.
Why don't you plant the perennial hardy geranium 'Rozanne' so you don't have to replant every year. It weaves out for about 5' from a central clump so it won't disturb your bulbs. It starts blooming in June and blooms prolifically into December. At the end of the season, you can cut it back to its central clump, and it will do the same thing again next year.
Hi Joy,
It is a lovely garden design and I have had this dilemma many times. You and I both love Heuchera, how about a few more, not deeply rooted and look good most of the year.
Check out Southern Comfort if you don't already have it. It was one of my great performers last year. Also, Rozanne Geranium has shallow roots and blooms from spring to fall.
Eileen
I am not one to plant annuals in my landscape. I pot them up in containers with herbs and veggies but I would look at some of the newer colors of the petunias from Proven Winners. Actually their website is a treasure trove of annuals that you might find...beautiful colors in your circle would be wonderful...
Hey Joy, what a nice bed- I recently did a much smaller spring bulb bed (my first bed almost done in our new location!). I'll be adding some pansy until I get some Columbine, Hellebore, and some other per. started and in there. I often use pansy until I can find something that really peaks my interest and is 'different'
Happy almost spring! Hope your snow is melting :)
I can't tell what other plants you have there, but I picture a birdbath in the center with some coral bells, different varieties and different foliage colors. Maybe some annuals around the edge like a few clumps of alyssum.
Darla girl I had thought of alyssum. too ! I love the scent they have .. but it is a big area so I have to think of either a combo or plants that are a bit larger .. thanks for replying : )
Martha ! hehehehe We are in the same little city and see what happens in winter ? we both hibernate !! LOL
except that funny run in at WalMart. That was a hoot .. George made me laugh : ) I love coleus too but I save it for my front step most times .. and I know you are hooked on zinnia and gazania ! haha
Yup ! sun tolerant Impatients are gorgeous too .. so many choices it is going to drive me NUTS !;-)
Donna that sounds very pretty ! I have to get over to your place and have a peek at that : )
Dear Dave : ) hey thanks for the suggestions .. I actually did think of verbena too .. I am so curious to see what the garden centers here will have because the competition is going to be wonderful with the huge Lowes garden center opening !
Can't wait for spring !!!!!!
Hello Carolyn : ) .. Now that is interesting .. I haven't got that particular geranium but have read a lot of positive comments about it. I do like perennial geraniums a lot and yes .. their roots aren't really deep .. I'll have to keep this in mind .. a list will have to start ! Thanks !
Eileen you and Carolyn had the same idea about that geranium ! LOL
Ah YES !! we are both heuchera fans and there is always room for another one .. and .. YES ! I have had Southern comfort on my radar for its gorgeous colours .. and being so shallow rooted .. well it would be perfect : ) Thanks !!
Donna I usually use annuals for containers too .. I do herbs as well, I love them in containers in fact .. I can move them all over the deck where I want them .. YES ! I have eyed ? LOL the new petunias from PW .. along with so many different annuals they are overwhelming ! Now it all depends on what will be cropping up here in our garden centers .. I will make a shopping list for sure so I will be prepared !!
Hey Tessa girl (I have to get over to your place and see what you have been up to ! LOL) I love the smell of pansies .. in fact i can truthfully say they were the first flower I came in contact with as a child and I never forgot that beautiful fragrance !
Oh my goodness girl .. we are so far from Spring I wince when I think of it .. but making a plant list is really helping me stay focused .. for a little while?LOL
Bonnie how funny is that ! You are in tune with a few other gardeners who have posted suggestions to me .. heuchera, and allysum etc .. they are great plants and I have them on the list ! thank you : )
Joy:
I really can't offer much in the line of annual suggestions, BUT, someone did mention Hellebores, and well a bed of Hellebores with a smalleting of Geranium phaeum 'Samobor' - I remember Lost Horizons dedicating a bed to this combination, and WOWZA! Your bulbs would not have a lot of competition from the Hellebores,they might even bloom at the same time, and the gorgeous foliage opf the Hellebores would help to screen out the tulip and daff foliage when it starts to look ratty!
Pansy- sweet, simple...and edible!
I don't have any ideas, just stop in to see what everybody else said. Got some good ideas, too. Thanks.
"ferg" tee hee ... Sorry I couldn't help myself .. it is Monday after all! .. that is an interesting idea and it would allow me to buy more hellebore .. even though I have a raised bed with about a dozen different ones (my "baby") I so can't wait to see how they do this Spring.
And that geranium you suggested is gorgeous very dramatic presentation .. reminds me of the structure of my 'biokovo" ones .. so I will keep this in mind ! Thanks sweeteeeeee ;-)
Tessa girl you did have to add the edible part didn't YOU ! haha BONUS!
Hey Sandy : ) that is what so great about asking a question like this .. lots of wonderful ideas even if you haven't got the problem ! ;-)
I have a similar problem bulb area, I have planted mine with a cosmo mix, but if you're worried about it being too busy, perhaps you could plant just whites? Is there a colour you have in mind?
Hello Rebecca girl : )
Actually cosmos would have been good but they are very tall .. I planted them one year and I did like them .. and white would be perfect .. but I think something lower is what I have to stick with .. there are so many choices it can make me dizzy ? LOL
Someone else had the same idea as me, Homestead Purple Verbena. Low and spreading, and non-stop blooms! But if it's shady there, then I saw lamium. It's perrenial too, speads low and never stops blooming. Plus it's almost evergreen, and has interesting foliage.
Hi Joy Dear, I like Darla's idea with the alyssum seed!
Hello there Robin girl : )
Yup ! lamium is a great suggestion too ! .. I have some sprinkled around the garden so I remember the root system isn't too deep .. if I mix that with a white flowering plant it would be a great combo, thanks! : )
Hey Grace girl ! .. I love the scent of allysum .. so it is high on the list .. thanks !
What about a silvery plant like licorice plant?
http://www.veseys.com/us/en/store/flowerseed/licoriceplanta/silvermist#image2173
I have a couple and love them. They kinda are sprawling for me but you can keep them clipped back. They would die for you in the winter. Sometimes mine survive here.
How about daylilies? They will disguise the fading bulb foliage.
Hello Cindee girl !
I like those plants too and have them in containers for the summer most years .. but I think they might not have enough "bam!" ? for the circle .. I didn't think this was going to be hard but it is !! jeez !! LOL
Thanks for the suggestion though girl: )
Toni day lilies would be great except they have massive root systems .. and I really want to not disturb the bulbs as much as possible .. but yeah .. they would have been perfect ! thank you for the suggestion : )
Post a Comment