Tall Annuals

[JennieAtkinson]

I have gone overboard this year in sowing tall (well 60 -90 cm) annuals for the back of the border. They (hopefully) will provide the colour during August and September, when most of my perennials have died off.

The plants are just about ready to plant out (been hardening them off) but the areas where I would need to plant them in the border, are now quite full of large leafy plants (alchemilla mollis, lillies and centureum). If I plant them under this leafy canopy, will they just be smothered, or will they push up through the leaves? I don't want to plant them too near the front of the border as they will just get blasted by the wind.

Grateful for any advice. The plants I am trying are cleome and cosmos purity, sonata and dazzler and agastache (though thats a perennial).

[nick the grief]

If they can force their way throu the soil I would have thought Lady's mantle wouldn't pose a problem Jennie.

[JennieAtkinson]

Thanks Nick. I've planted a few at the back to see what happens. And also cut a fair bit of the ladies mantle back to give them a bit of a chance.

We've missed you on the Vine lately - nice to see you back.

[nick the grief]

Thanks, I've been a bit busy at work & trying to tame my allotment!!