Possibly stupid question re:planting design

[Wonderfulcheapfalafel]

Hi all,just rereading through RHS 'How to Plant a Garden' book. I'm finding it very helpful but I'm a bit puzzled by some of the example planting design plans. Eg. Diagram of planting where a specific shrub takes up 1m sq. However, when you look at the plan, it says this shrub grows to 2mx2m. Do you think that implies you'd just keep it pruned to the size you wanted?

Hope this makes sense!

Honestly. I knees nothing when I started three years ago and I certainly I ignored that shit and just over planted. The thing is you don't know what will survive and what wont. To an extent you can move things about anyway and prune if something starts to take over.

It depends a little on the type of garden you like but I wouldn't worry too much about this unless you are into doing a show garden.

Ha ha thanks, yes I do like a 'wild' look and definitely over planted in my last garden, it went a bit nuts tbh! I think I'm just concerned about planting anything that's going to get too big as planting space is quite limited, but want a couple of shrubs for structure. Complete blank canvas so feel a bit daunted. However you're right and I do need to remember it will be trial and error to a certain extent.

Hi OP I remember reading somewhere that a lot of plants can take quite a while to grow to their maximum size, say 5 years or more. So garden designers try to take a middle ground, and arrange planting so that by year 3 it'll be looking good. But as @RedToothBrush says some things will thrive and others won't survive, the garden will change year to year so don't worry about being too prescriptive. Remember that as well as pruning to a manageable size you can also dig up and move things around your garden if it's starting to get a bit congested. There's a few exceptions, but on the whole plants won't object to being dug up and planted in a new spot as long as you water them well afterwards for the next few months.

I agree with greengingers, plans are drawn to fill the border by year 3 at the latest. From then on you would have to reduce them a bit, by either pruning or taking things out.

I seem to recall reading in one of Beth Chatto's books that she expected renew her borders every 5 years. This involved taking out everything except the large shrubs/trees, dividing all the perennials and replanting. At that point you would replant at appropriate distances from the size the shrubs are at that point.

So as long as you don't have large shrubs growing so close to each other that they'll crowd each other out, you're OK.

Yes, I agree with others. Generally you have structural planting, which is the larger shrubby stuff, and in between you have smaller 'fillers' which are either fairly short-lived, or can be divided and/or moved elsewhere when there isn't enough room for them any more.

I have always over planted. In fact this weekend I’m moving things around because of this. You can always move things or prune if needed.

I have something that should have flowers. But actually I prefer just for the green foliage. So I keep it cut round and short.
I know there are some things that don’t look good if they are chopped back when they are not supposed to. But I will always give something a go.

Thank you all, this is helpful advice - always good to hear "plant more" 😁