A Year In The Life Of A Sunny Border

that is a great record andrew, i have tried to do similar in my garden but often got distracted by individual plants.
i think it must be the best way to improve the look of a border.

It is interesting to see the changes over the months, Andrew and it does help you develop the garden with more colour once you have a record like this...great idea.

You'll need to get bulbs in quickly....spring isn't that far away (she says wistfully!!)...lol

I agree. It also confirms my opinion that Coreopsis is a real stalwart in any border, going on and on throughout summer.
Your idea for more bulbs is good Andrew, and what about hardy geraniums?
You are certainly well organised.

thats lovely and as w.l. says interesting , i look back at mine and think wow i did that so gratifying isent it ;0)))

Great looking border Andrew, I have to admit my beds are better since being on Goy because I can do exactly what you are showing here and now know when and where to add things instead of relying on my memory. Its always good to see what others have in the various beds to get more ideas... Thankyou for showing yours through the seasons......

Isn't Nature marvellous ... the way plants spring back to life after such a harsh Winter ... I really enjoyed seing this garden through the months. I do wish I could grow Coreopsis ... lost 3 plants in as many years !

It is such a good idea to take pictures of your borders, because then you see them through another's eyes, and you can correct mistakes before they become disasters, have made a video of ours with my mobile and it will be on my computer, I can also see what plants are missing, after a bad winter.
I admire the way you have planted something for each season, very interesting and well thought out Andrew....

Great to see it changing Andrew, and can I tentatively suggest Clematis Macropetala for it's lovely early bright blue and white flowers? It's amazing how long it takes before the borders really fill out isn't it? I noticed that too, when I looked back at my spring photos.

does that clematis grow in shade?

Yes, macropetala will tolerate shade.

A beautifully constructed border, and thank you so much for identifying all your plants Andrew - it helps us amateurs so much, especially as we can see them through the growing season.

Mad - there is a small hardy geranium somewhere in there with white flowers but it hasn't showed up in any of the photos. But a blue one for early colour would be a good idea - thank you.

Shirley - coreopsis like really well-drained soil; try adding lots of horticultural grit under it and mixing more grit with the soil you use to refill the planting hole.

Stroller - I think it's always useful to have something in a border that flowers for a really long period - keeps the colour going when other things are fading out. The dwarf helenium (H. pumilum 'Magnificum') has been in flower for four months and just needs a little support and fairly regular deadheading (once or twice a week). Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm' is also a favourite and a good 'doer' for keeping the colour going late into the year

Many thanks for that info. Andrew, Sussex clay is a pain for some plants !

I think May looks good too. It has a more limited colour range but, really nice. Some spring bulbs are always a joy to see after a quiet winter.