Green Fingers: Garden flowers that last
Agapanthus (African Lily) comes in white or shades of blue.
As with most things in life, it is thought best to do things in moderation and to have a balance in whatever you are involved in. It is also true for the majority of people who spend time in the garden, where a mixture of plants, displays, design and schemes will ensure varied and seasonal interest all the year round.
The use of those long lived plants called perennials would fit into the category of providing variety in flower, shape and seasonal interest. Sometimes these plants are known by their full name of ‘Herbaceous Perennials’, which will flower sometime during the growing season depending on the type and variety of plant. With some planning you can have something in flower from January all the way through to December using these beautiful plants. The plants themselves will last from around three years to indefinitely and by dividing the plants up a single bought specimen can give you several free additions if you need them.
Perennials are usually planted 60-90cm (2-3’) apart into a weed free bed and will, within a year or two, have joined up with the neighbouring plant, and it is at this time of year they can be dug up and moved about and divided if needed before replanting again.
Perennials are fairly trouble free once they become established but slug and snail control is needed from about March to May to stop the plants getting devoured. Some plants like lupins might get attacked by greenfly but a preventative control can be applied using soapy water as a base to keep them pest free.
This is where it comes to the difficult part as the choice of plants can run into the hundreds and there is only so much that can be fitted in your space. The easiest thing is to see what you like and start the collection in that way. There are some plants that are better than others and they include Agapanthus (African Lily) in white or shades of blue, Anemone (Japanese Anemone), which is tall and brightly flowering in white or shades of pink, and Aster (Michaelmas Daisy), which flowers from September until the frosts in white or shades of blue or pink.
Astilbe has candy floss shaped flowers in white or shades of pink, Delphinium is beautiful and slugs and snails love them so take care. They are available in white, pink or shades of blue.
Echinacea (Coneflower) is popular with daisy flowers in white or shades of pink.
Geranium (Crane’s bill) has nothing to do with the pot geranium but is the hardy ground cover type with white, pink, blue or red flowers.
Iris has a huge variety within the group in many colours, Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) is spectacular especially in coastal gardens, and Paeonia (Peony Rose) is a very long lived flower in white or shades of pink.
Rudbeckia is the called ‘Black Eyed Susan’ on account of the yellow petals with a black cone centre, and, finally in this list, the Salvia (Perennial Sage) in shades of blue.
Out of this list there will be some that will appeal and find a place in your garden.
Sweet peas are very popular, easy to grow and give a huge amount of flowers practically all summer long. You can buy readymade plants in packs now or if you wish to have really scented types, then you can sow your own within the next two weeks and for this choose the seed packs that state they have a high to strong fragrance, such as the ‘Showbench Mix’ or ‘Fragrant Skies’.
If you have any queries or comments you are welcome to share them with me on 051-384273 or orchardstowngardencentre@hotmail.com and if of general interest I will include it in a future article.
