New cottage garden border

[eirish]

Honeysuckle can be a bit thuggish so you might not want more than one unless you're sure of its habits. Vinca will spread, a lot. Otherwise multiples look more planned and less random, I think.

[veggiechicken]

I would plant in groups of 3 or 5, depending upon eventual size and position of the plant. It would look more dramatic and coordinated than having lots of individual plants that can create a bit of a mish-mash.

[Dr Pips]

Ok, I'm thinking of having half the border with the plants I already have, including a magnolia tree, having a larger variety of plants, and the other half, just Asters, Echinaceas, Anemones and Lupins, (maybe 3 of each, different colours) but I'm confused as to how to plant them. Should I put all the plants of the same variety next to each other, or alternate them? I want to make sure I get it right!

Dom

[veggiechicken]

If I was planting 3 of the same plant, I would put them in a triangle, so that each would be adjacent to the other when mature. Then you will have a block of colour that will all flower at the same time and draw your eye to it - and detract your vision from an area where the flowers have yet to show themselves. If the colours, in each block, tone with each other it might look better than if they were in stark contrast. But this is just me, and others, and you (most importantly) may think differently.
Also, think of the triangles as interlocking teeth and don't put all the low growers at the front edge, alternate the heights to make it interesting.

[taff]

I was quite surprised ot see cow parsley being used in one of the Chelsea gardens...how about that in a border?

[Two_Sheds]

Asters, Echinaceas, Anemones and Lupins

don't dot things around in ones, that looks awful & bitty

As VC says, it's traditional to plant in groups of 3 or 5 (odd numbers work better than evens).

Your anemones, asters & echinaceas are all late summer/autumn flowerers; lupins are early summer.

You might discover you have gaps here and there, but no worry: just see the gap and think what you need (colour? height?) and then search for the appropriate plant. Don't expect to get it all perfect in your first season, or even your 2nd

[veggiechicken]

The anemones on Dr Pips' list are the Japanese ones that flower late summer/autumn.

[Two_Sheds]

OK, I'll amend, thank you VC

[Dr Pips]

Ok, think I'm getting a plan together, might draw it out. For example with each of these plants, should I get 3 of exactly the same plant, or slightly different ones, for example, BBC - Gardening: Plant Finder - Aster and BBC - Gardening: Plant Finder - Aster

Dom

[Two_Sheds]

3 of each plant

[GardenFaery]

Plants in drifts 'they' always say in all the old, old cottage garden books I have.. akin to natural re-seeding - but then everyone has their own idea about what a 'drift' looks like and that's the thing - think you should get ideas, but ulitmately go with your heart and don't let anyone tell you otherwise

[Dr Pips]

Hmm, the plants I'm choosing are all blue or purple, is that going to look a little boring?

[Two_Sheds]

No, because you're using green as well

It will look harmonious. Try it and see. You can always pop in a few opposing colours (yellow for purple, orange for blue) to give it some zing if it needs it, or some pinks if you want to go a bit more harmonious

[veggiechicken]

Hmm, the plants I'm choosing are all blue or purple, is that going to look a little boring?

I thought you were planting your list? Bishop of Llandaff is red and you have other red/oranges and pinks in there.

[Dr Pips]

No, I think I'm going to stick to the Lupins, Echinacea, Aster and Anemones. If I were to get 3 of each on my list I'd break the bank!! I think I'll fill about half the border with those, and use the plants I already have to fill the other half, which will look a bit messy I guess, but will do for now.

I already have:

Day Lilly (could get a couple more of those which are yellow to contrast with the blue / purple)
Red Hot Poker
Dwarf Phlox
Coreopsis (Red)
Geum
Lobelia
Penstemon

I can put these in the left hand side for now until I can afford to do that properly.

I'm starting to confuse myself let alone you guys!!