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GARDEN 9 |
The Shop Border
The shop border continues the theme of perennial and annual "cottage " planting. Again, this border and the adjacent rose beds suffer from the twin problems of winter flooding and drying out in the heat of high summer. Plants have to be tough to live in these conditions and it has taken quite a long time to find out exactly what will survive both these extremes. The unsightly shop itself, is rapidly disappearing beneath a blanket of the white, orange scented, climbing rose, "Rambling Rector".
The shop border, under-planted with spring bulbs, is a riot of "cottage" favourites and shrubs in high summer, but like the rose beds nearby, prone to flooding.
(L) The climbing rose, Rambling Rector" has nearly completely covered the unsightly shop. (R) Clematis "Jackmanii Superba," takes over when the rose has finished its all too brief display.
(L) Hemorocallis "Marion Vaughan" (R) This red poppy may be incredibly striking but what does one plant with it? answer, anything you like and what the hell!
Yellow hemorocallis "Marion Vaughan" and vibrant scarlet oriental poppy struggle against the invasion of achillea ptarmiga "The Pearl" and Soapwort or "Bouncing Betty." Long grown for it's cleansing properties, it is used on delicate tapestries which modern detergents would ruin.
(L) Plants like Achillea Ptarmiga "The Pearl" and Soapwort (R) are really far too invasive for the choice border but survive the dual problems of drought and flood exceptionally well.
Varying so well, in height, colour and leaf form, geraniums provide the main framework of this border, At the back, the magenta, Psilostemon works surprisingly well with bronze fennel. Throughout the middle, various shades of blue, white and lilac "Pratense" go with just about everything and in the foreground, the prostrate, pale pink, Sanguineum "Lancastriense" (I refuse to call it Striatum) tumbles over the low retaining wall amongst catmint and aubretia. There are others here too. I have been very surprised at how vigourous Oxonium "Winchcombe" can become and I will always be able to find a place for the rich blue of the early "Malvaflora". It stays flowering for just long enough to mix perfectly with that good old standby, Alchemilla Mollis, before fading away to nothing.
(L) Although they increase rather too readily, "Drumstick" alliums echo the colour of red orach perfectly. (C) Nominally a "weed", it should never be planted at the front of a border as it will reach six feet in height. These self sown seedlings had to stay as it is impossible to transplant successfully. (R) Another perfect partner for red foliage, Anthemis tinctoria "Wargrave"
(L) The rare, wild, native, Inula or Elecampane ( I prefer the local name of "Elf flower"). This is a plant of damp meadows so it particularly enjoys being planted next to a leaking rainwater barrel. (R) Kniphophia caulescens flowers in September and October but is a useful foliage plant for the rest of the year.
Taking advantage of any form of soil disturbance to germinate, Opium poppies (papaver somniferum) run throughout this entire border alongside nigella or " Love in a Mist". Their seed heads remain a valuable addition long after the petals have fallen. Hidden from view, swathes of night-scented stock help to turn evening watering sessions into an absolute pleasure. In high summer, the glaucous foliage and fluffy, sulphur yellow, flowers of Thalicterum flavum act as a wonderful companion to the velvety, rich purple, Clematis "Jackmanii Superba". The fireworks continue with the hot oranges of crocosmia and kniphofia alongside an extremely invasive perennial sunflower. Towards the end of the season, it is always touch and go as to whether old varieties of chrysanthemums such as "Clara Curtis" will get a chance to flower before the border will again be underwater.