Inspiration needed.

[Diane]

I'm going to replant a small section of my garden into a mini Sissinghurst type white garden. Already have a white climbing rose and a white clematis and have planted some white calendula. I've kept a Winky aquilegia (blue and white) and now I've run out of ideas. There's a large rosemary bush at the side (blue flowers) which has to stay. What other permanent and/or annuals would everyone suggest? It's on a very slight slope, facing south - and has dry-ish soil. Now I've rehomed my hens I can plant all kinds of flowers without getting them trampled and eaten.

[Westi]

Hi Diane!

If I knew what they were called I'd suggest these wee white flower bulbs, but the big boys everyone knows. The first pic is some wee bulbs I bought that have spread like wild fire over about 3 years, but make a nice glow especially this time of year, even found their way into our drive way! And off season they provide ground cover & bigger flowers pop up amongst the greenery without effort. Obviously the big boys fill the space quickly & flower for ages. I appreciate the lilies remind some of funerals but the insects love them - & the snails, but while the snails are busy with them doing limited damage the other stuff thrives!

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[Monika]

What about annual white alyssum for edging or, if you want taller flowers, white lupins or biannual white foxglove?

[peter]

White tulips, white narcissus, white hyacinths, bird cherry, magnolia, viburnum x burkwoodii, choysia, jasmine, ox eye daisies, lily of the valley, or use the Royal Horticultural Society plant finder and look for white flowers.

[PLUMPUDDING]

I've just bought a white dicentra that really stands out and a lovely white pagoda lily that pops up every year. The perennial candytuft also puts on a good show and lasts for ages. It says they originally planted white irises, Japanese anemones and white pompom dahlias which sounds an odd mixture but probably ok as they flower at different times. I like to mix plants with contrasting foliage shapes and shades too.

[vivienz]

Hydrangeas are lovely, though they may be a bit thirsty for your spot. I visited Cranborne Manor gardens in Dorset yesterday, which were absolutely beautiful, but they have a white garden too. The shrubs included white rosa rugosa, philadelphus, tree peonies, white lilac. They also had a long border filled with very old cordon apple trees which were in full bloom. Really lovely. Personally, I'm a big fan of hydrangea paniculata, especially strawberries and cream/vanille fraise.

[Geoff]

Try this Lysimachia - it flowers late Summer with interesting slightly twisted flower spikes that the butterflies love. Or Japanese Anemone for more late white.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/10629/Lys ... ch-results

[Johnboy]

Hi Diane,
I can recommend Iberis sempervirens as a long lasting white perennial sub-shrub it has the RHS award of garden merit
and is worthy of growing in any garden.

[Diane]

Thank you all.....wonderful suggestions. Must take myself off to Cranbourne Gardens again - haven't been there for ages. Lots to think about now.

[Pawty]

Hi,

I'm no use at all on flowers, but am also after some inspiration if that's ok?

In the back garden I have 2 chimney pots which I want to pot up. Aim for them is to give a bit of height/ structure and colour for as long as possible ( very small garden used for BBQ and seating in main). Lots of pots with herbs, olive tree etc....

One is in the shade. One is in full sun. Any thoughts? I wandered around the garden centre for ages but couldn't get inspired. Maybe a furn for the one in the shade? Maybe some sort of Lilly for the one in the sun?

Any thought would be appreciated as always.

Pawty

[peter]

Germanium Tomentosum in the sun, furry scented leaves and minimalistic while flowers.

[Westi]

Hi Pawty!

I bought these round seed discs from the milkman - £1 each & I think maybe 3 in pack. They are designed for hanging baskets but they could be good. Lobelia to trail down the sides & some other yellow & red flowers sticking up - ditto, no idea of flowers either! If you go onto Milk & More you will see them & can decide for yourself. If you don't have a milkman & find your interested I can post you some. I'm putting mine in pots at the lottie by the gate & maybe just tear a few up & put the bits around the back garden at home in the gaps left by the dogs sudden interest in digging!

[PLUMPUDDING]

How about some nastirtiums in one, easy, colourful and you can use them in salads. Make sure you get the trailing ones not the little bushy ones. They will keep going until you get a keen frost if you keep taking the seeds off.

[Pawty]

Hi,

Westi - like the idea of turning them in to hanging baskets - thanks for the offer of the discs! I have loads of seeds so I'm now wondering about chucking some in - including nasturtiums and see what it turns into - I'll do some before and after pics!

Do you think nasturtium would work in the pot in the shade - or are they complete sun lovers?

Pawty

[Primrose]

Pawty. Every year I get some self seeded nasturtiums come up in a north facing border which probably only gets about an hour of afternoon summer sun and they flower quite prolifically so a I think they're well worth experimenting with. As long as the soil is of a reasonble quality they just seem to keep coming.