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Any ideas what's in this border?

7 replies

MarkleAndSpencer · 04/01/2018 16:26

I've just moved into a new house and have a very steeply sloped border which I've managed to dig over. I've fallen in love with this image and would love to plant it up similarly - I can see lavender there, some kind of daisies maybe and some ornamental grass but I'm rubbish at proper identification. I wondered if anyone had any ideas about exactly what's in there so I can try to copy! Any other tips for planting on a steep slope also appreciated!

Any ideas what's in this border?
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Jynxed · 04/01/2018 16:34

The bright green is alcemilla mollis. The purple isn't lavender though, although unhelpfully I can't remember what it is called at the moment. The photo would have been taken in late spring/ early summer when all in flower.

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KnittingOnEmpty · 04/01/2018 16:38

There's Nepeta (probably 'Six Hills Giant', Alchemilla mollis, ornamental grass which could be Stipa tenuissima and I think I can see Erigeron karvanskianus. What you are thinking is Lavender is actually Nepeta which is a good alternative and easier.
The key is to choose a smaller range of plants than you think you want and repeat them. This border has a lot of repetition and it avoids a 'piecemeal' effect. It's also got different 'textures' , ie. soft and fluffy plants, wispy ones, strong strappy leaves ones.
You say you've dug the border over - so is it a blank canvas? If so, take advantage of this and make sure it's completely free of perennial weeds before you plant and add in as much organic matter as you can (well rotted compost/manure). Also think about how much time you'll have to maintain it and if you want to go for more 'low maintenance' ground covering type plants.

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MarkleAndSpencer · 04/01/2018 16:42

Wow such helpful replies thank you! Yes it's a blank canvas and I've dug out all the roots etc I can find, hoping it's as free of weeds as I can get it. Will try my best to dig in some compost etc somehow (it's really steep!) and will think about lowest maintenance possible - I thought the plants in the picture looked quite ground covering but I could be wrong? I had assumed the nepeta was lavender, will have to look it up as it's really pretty!

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reallifegetsintheway · 04/01/2018 16:48

The purple ones might be salvias? Not the bedding plant variety.
Goggle 'purple salvias' there is a lot of to choose from.

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Doctordonowt · 04/01/2018 16:55

I agree with all those. if you look at Piet Oudolf you will get some good ideas for planting this type of border. I used lot of ornamental grasses for structure In my new garden. They produce great seed heads and have kept the garden green all year. Stipa tenussima, amanelthene lessonia ( the pheasant grass) and Camelagrossi Karl forester have been really good. Interplanted with all the plants mention above will be really low maintenance. I would add in lots of different Thymes as well.

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NanTheWiser · 05/01/2018 18:07

The blue lavender-like shrub is probably Caryopteris clandonensis, which likes full sun and poor soil, also has aromatic foliage.

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MarkleAndSpencer · 06/01/2018 07:56

Great suggestions thanks! Doctor I actually visited the Oudolf garden in Bruton last summer and loved it, will have to look back at photos for more inspiration. Nan This is the only north facing part of the garden - will watch how much sun it gets come spring and have a think.

Thanks again to everyone for the lovely help and suggestions!

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