General Chat

Terri, I have a picket fence and for added security grow a prickly, pinky coloured Berberis against it. It will deter anything! Lavender and a Grey leaved Campion look wonderful in front of it. Rosemary(Essex)

crista how about various coloured heathers all year round interest.

Hi Crista,you would need to ask Len as to wether you can still get the seed ,because its a couple of years since ive been able to do a garden ,but some pyrethium daisy would do well scattered around any border. They give good ground cover ,are attractive and they contain natural insecticide which keep the bugs away,they may even put your slugs off.I don,t like using slug pellets because of the birds.Fred.

Len, The boarder is about a foot wide. It butts up against the driveway. Lisa, Too much sun for the hydrangeas unfortunately. I lost my pink jasmine this winter because we had some very cold weather so I don't think the star jasmine would be safe. Geraniums might work. I'd like some bright colours. Debi, Perinneals are a good idea. Not sure English lavender will grow that well with my clay soil though. The shops here seem to sell Spanish and French lavendar. Crista

Lavender shrubs/bushes mixed with pinks ( wee carnations) the 2 colours will look wonderful against the fence. the grey/blue/silver leaves give a nice colour too and the scent from both is wonderful. Need no looking after plus you get to help the bees and their honey lol! Oh and another thought all those lovely lavender bags you can make for placing in the home etc etc. Much happiness Debi

I've grown attached to geraniums, but they do look rather pitiful in the winter. Star jasmine doesn't give you much colour, but it does have a terrific fragrance and nothing seems to bother it. Quite a few people in our town have gorgeous gardens -- they all seem to have impatiens and they are in full sun, but the snails really seem to enjoy my impatiens. Do you have enough space for hydrangeas?

What size is the border, Christa ? I would suggest you have a look around the neighbour's gardens and get ideas. If you like certain plants, put in patches of them, say 3 or 5 to a patch and crowd them slightly to squeeze out the weeds. Tall ones at the back, shorties to the front. A patch of Crocosmia Lucifer here and there would make a statement, pretty seed heads after the flowers too. Len

Thanks everyone. The fence gets quite a bit of sun at one end and a little less at the other. I think I will put roses in eventually but it's a bit late now. We do get warm and dry summers. Crista

Hi Crista, Begonia Rex,sturdy plants,likes sun or shade,they are maintenance free,they can have pink,red,or white flowers,looks nice in large clumps,scattered around or planted uniform style. Happy planting. regards trish xxx

Crista, You cannot go wrong with roses! They are very apt at taking care of themselves. However, I do not know if you have a hot climate or not but if so they do not need too much water when there is a shortage. Lindy;-)

I've just planted 30 Hebe red edge along my front garden. It's a small shrub, evergreen, doesn't grow very tall (2ft I think) and has pretty flowers on. You dont have to do anything to them, well as far as I know!

Christa....is the flower bed in full sun? Go for Pelargoniums (otherwise knows as geraniums). Slugs don't go much for them and although you have to dead head, the heads are big so not too much trouble. They don't mind drought too much either! Shady spot? Busy Lizzie ( Impatiens). Make nice clumps, appreciate a bit of dampness and don't like full sun. Or you could plant a few different types of Clematis to flower at different times of the year...so many varieties!! Then you could have them all twining round each other with flowers for an extended period. Don't choose Montana varieties though...they grow MASSIVE!!

Come on all you gardeners! I need ideas for my picket fence. The last few years I planted marigolds and lobelia but I'm tired of the slugs eating the marigolds. I have a few gladioli at the back so far. It has to be something the slugs won't eat or the tunnelling voles. They had all my tulips. I want something pretty that's easy and doesn't require constant dead heading. Any suggestions? Crista