The Story of a new border - continued.

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Back in September, we started to create a new border in our back garden, and I wrote a blog about it. I thought that I’d update you on our progress.

By the fence between us and next door, there were two Leycesterias (Pheasant berries). I did not like them at all! After we’d completed the first (back) border, we carried on – and removed them! But before I could prepare the ground, first my long-suffering husband had to use his pickaxe to remove HUGE lumps of Blue Lias stone!

We had decided to edge both borders with reclaimed bricks, as most of the rest of the garden is laid out like this already. More barrow loads of compost and the new ‘extra’ border was ready for planting!

I had kept to my colour scheme of purple, gold and white, and have tried to choose a mixture of evergreens which flower ( e.g.Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’, Prostanthera cuneata), and perennials. I filled in the gaps with small bulbs and winter pansies and violas.

This is the left-hand corner of the original new border, with Verbena bonariensis making a splash of colour in front of one of the new Clematis – alpina ‘Helsingbord’.

And this is the right-hand corner. I chose 5 Clematis for the trellis, each flowering at a different time of year, C. vit. ‘Etoille Violette’ C.cirrhosa ‘Wisley Cream’ and ‘Miss Bateman’.

My visit to Beth Chatto’s garden helped, too, because I found Sternbergia lutea there as well as two new (to me)Salvias (nemorosa ‘Wesuwe’ and S. x superba ‘Superba’)

To think it all started with a wish to lose the Escallonia hedge and the dreaded brambles – ending up with almost remodelling the whole back garden! What fun it’s been, and what hard work…:-). I have left room in the corners for some favourites – but I’ll have to save up for those. Tell you more next year, maybe. In the meantime, my new centrepiece Solanum has a flower on it – hooray!

16 Oct, 2007
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Comments

Maple

It's looking great Spritz!! Giving me ideas and making hubby go "Oh my back!!" Wimp!!
Keep giving us updates as things develop

20 Oct, 2007

Spritzhenry

Thanks maple - I'll keep in touch! Tell him that digging is good exercise and cheaper than going to the Gym!!!!! :-)

20 Oct, 2007

Andrewr

Hmmm - what is wrong with the female of the house doing some digging and keeping fit?"

22 Oct, 2007

Spritzhenry

That's me, Andrew!!!! (You weren't to know that I AM a she so I'll let you off) I just yell for help when I hit a lump of blue lias that I cannot lift, or when roots prove too deep for my fork, requiring his pickaxe!

22 Oct, 2007

Maple

Oooohhhhh Andrew lol I do my share but there are bits like Spritz I need help with.

23 Oct, 2007

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