What to grow

the roughest planting plan ever

I look at the pear tree and notice less leaves. They seem to be fading away on a daily basis. Whilst there is still much greener in the garden I can see the slow seep in of Autumn. I feel behind on my autumn tidy up but really what can I do. Dahlias are still flowering so are cosmos and the chrysanthemums have not even started. My to do list is languishing just like the season.

I turn to other thoughts. Planting. The garden area which I cleared at Easter is now filled with plants, well enough for the moment. I will review again in late spring no doubt adding annuals such as cosmos and perhaps the odd dahlia in any gaps that are visible, then come next autumn I will add more plants if required. This rinse and repeat is how my garden evolves. I know that the selected plants that I have planted now with their colour palette of blues, pinks and white no doubt in a couple of years will say something else. I like this approach to gardening. It is a mix of moving with a gardeners growing knowledge and the garden space with a dash of weather and climate.

Most of what I plant is a replication of what is already there with a bit of magic added. A saliva of bold purple pink is placed in a gap that I have found in the already planted Nepeta. I have admired it in the botanical gardens (where I brought the plant). I like to add odd pops of colour that tend to flower in the off periods to the rest of what is flowering - just to give myself something interesting to look at plus it also provides continuous food for the bees. I also like to plant now so the plants can establish as the soil cools, it seems a more natural flow to me, rather than roots negotiating cold soil that would be warming in spring. The plants are well established that I have brought which I hope will help see them through the winter.

What is planted is designed to take care of it self. Masses of nepeta makes the bulk - in shades of deep purple, blues and white. I also added in some white biden which I love and hope that this plant will be a success in the garden - other attempts have failed. New to me this year is Bog sage - I love the soft blue and how it mingles into other plants - the bees love it too. A white Hyssopus is added and I might add some blue - these are always solid bee friendly performers. I sprinkle a couple of asters - one pink another white continuing my colour theme. Within the mass I add what I call pretties - the little pops that contrast against the background of bigger things that I have planted. You know the little details that catch your eye when you are walking passed. Here is what I added

• Phlomis samia - new to me

• Thalictrum Rochebruneanum - which is new to me and I brought earlier in the year. It flowered at a time when the rest of the garden was quiet which I appreciated.

• Lysimachi

• Boltonia - pink Nana

• Veronica’s in white and pink.

• Allium Siculum

• Pattys plum poppy

• Blue Geranium

Hopefully it will all melt together and I can’t wait to share photos of how it will look in spring/summer. In the meantime I have to finish laying the brick border around the flower beds before the bees return to their newly refurbished home.

Much love

Mel