I only planned initially to get the trees in but I am a plantaholic and like most plant lovers, I got carried away and decided to plant a dozen Hydrangea Paniculata Wims Red. These are strong hydrangeas that will fill out under the tree canopy and provide me with colour from May to October. They haven’t flowered this year but that is because they are working hard underground to put down strong foundations.
First border created. However, like any newly cultivated ground, it is a magnet for weeds, especially when you are surrounded by fields. Currently I spend two weeks in every month in Cumbria visiting new garden design clients and continuing to design gardens in Norwich. I could not spend all my time in Cumbria weeding as I work full time in gardens. So, the first thing I did was mulch the gardens with bark. I got quite a cheap grade of bark from Jenkinson Forest Products in Penrith because all I am interested in at this stage is keeping the weeds down and the moisture in the ground. When all the building work is finished and the drive laid, then I will put down a better grade of bark for a more ornamental look. I use bark in virtually all the gardens I design and plant in Norfolk as water conservation is so important, but it’s just as important in Cumbria as the ground in the summer is still dry, bark is also good for keeping the weeds down and insulating the plants during the winter. Eventually it will break down into compost and enrich the soil.
So what is next for this border… bulbs! It is now October and the time to order bulbs. I never plant them before November as the weather is still too warm and I do not want them to start growing and then be hit by a cold spell. November and December are bulb planting times for me – both in clients gardens and my own. I love white scented daffodils and will be putting my order in with J W Parkers in the next week.
When I am back in the middle of November I will literally plant 500 bulbs and hope the mice or the rabbits leave them alone. Fingers crossed.
Next month I will tackle one of the existing borders in the back garden and turn it into a mixed herbaceous border. I will share with you the fun of planting roses, working with existing shrubs, the value of bare root perennials but most importantly how you work out which plants are going to survive and more importantly flourish in your garden.
