Borders overwhelm me

[hotubhannah]

In the summer they don't look too bad but there aren't enough flowers. In my head I'm visualising cottage garden but I've only managed to achieve this is a separate small bed. My larger bed is the problem.its a mix of shrubs amd roses and when they bloom its lovely but otherwise it looks a bit flat. If I don't do something soon the ground will harden as soon as there is a drop of sun(its clay). Do I just bite the bullet and plant bulbs everywhere or shall I just visit the gardens centre each month and buy whats flowering? Any advice please?

Reading the title of this post in the UK forum meant I thought this was about something completely different

If I were you, I'd do some Internet research on plants which grow well in clay soils and search for things like 'cottage garden plants', 'underplanting' and 'companion planting'.

Look for plants that flower or are at the their best at different times of the year and have different colours and textures of foliage.

There's loads of info and ideas there :)

Omg how have I managed to post in here 🤣🤣🤣🤣 the title obviously looks controversial, ill ask Mumsnet to move what a dozy cow i am

I wouldn't go as far as controversial but I was definitely intrigued

@hotubhannah

Omg how have I managed to post in here 🤣🤣🤣🤣 the title obviously looks controversial, ill ask Mumsnet to move what a dozy cow i am

Pmsl 😂 Re clay soil: forget-me-nots and vinca alba/ periwinkle grow well and have a long season.( periwinkle is mat-forming and evergreen too) Japanese windflowers/anemones last all summer in our place and the bees and butterflies are "mad for it" These are the anemones I mean ( there are so many types) www.gardenia.net/plant-variety/japanese-anemones

For winter flowers ( not borders but perhaps evergreen climbers behind), clematis cirrhosa " Freckles", and " Wisley Cream" look amazing. Even after they're done blooming,the fluffy seed heads look gorgeous.