Plant suggestions wanted

[Jenny M Benson]

In front of my residence, south-facing and sheltered, I have 2 beds each
about 4 feet square, and a triangular bed of similar size. One of the
square beds is planted with miniature Conifers and the triangle is home
to a selection of Heuchera and a Tiarella. At present, the other square
bed is home to various annuals and bulbs but I would like to convert it
to permanent and attractive planting with winter colour/interest as the
other 2 beds have. Any suggestions?

[Chris Hogg]

On Mon, 1 Jul 2024 16:18:14 +0100, Jenny M Benson

Post by Jenny M Benson
In front of my residence, south-facing and sheltered, I have 2 beds each
about 4 feet square, and a triangular bed of similar size. One of the
square beds is planted with miniature Conifers and the triangle is home
to a selection of Heuchera and a Tiarella. At present, the other square
bed is home to various annuals and bulbs but I would like to convert it
to permanent and attractive planting with winter colour/interest as the
other 2 beds have. Any suggestions?

There is a slim little book published about ten year ago 'Foliage' by
Bryan Greenwood. Probably out of print now but S/H copies are
available on the Advanced Book Exchange (ABE). See
https://tinyurl.com/2p9dcmbb

Thumbing through my copy, and excluding anything much taller than
about 45cm, here are some possibilities (dimensions are height x
spread, in cm):

Blues:
Acaena Blue Haze; steel blue leaflets that contrast with the reddish
flower heads. 10x30. Said to look good with Libertia peregrinans,
which I wouldn't touch - it's well-named 'perigrinans' as IME it tends
to wander about (perigrinate) and spread, but in a small contained bed
it might be OK.
Elymus magellanicus; evergreen, metallic blue grass, 30 x 45. Elymus
hispiculus is said to be neater.
Festuca glauca 25x30.

Yellows & golds:
several heathers have reddish gold foliage but you will need to use
ericaceous compost for most of them.
Calluna vulgaris Arran Gold, 15x25
Erica cinerea Fiddler's Gold 25x45
Erica cinerea Golden Drop 20x60
Erica vagans Valerie Proudley 15x30

Oranges and browns:
Calluna vulgaris Blazeaway 45x55
Calluna vulgaris Spitfire 25x40
Cryptomeria Japonica Ten San 45x30
Primula Wanda 10x15

Reds: Houttuynia cordata Chameleon 40x indefinite
Imperata cylindrica rubra 40x30
Spirea japonica Magic Carpet 45x70

Purples and blacks: Andromeda polyfolia compacta 30x30
Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens 15x30
Oxalis triangularis papilionacea 10x indefinite

Greys and silvers: Calluna vulgaris Alison Yates 45x60
Heuchera micromintha Pewter Moon 30x45
Lamium maculatum White Nancy 12x30
Lavandula angustifolia Hidcote 45x45

Check them out before rushing to spend money, because they don't all
like the same light conditions (full sun / partial shade / full shade)
or soil type and moisture (free draining / moisture retentive /acid or
neutral), or minimum winter temperatures etc. I also suggest you
change the soil or dig in lots of fresh compost to revitalise the
plot.

[Jenny M Benson]

Post by Chris Hogg
There is a slim little book published about ten year ago 'Foliage' by
Bryan Greenwood. Probably out of print now but S/H copies are
available on the Advanced Book Exchange (ABE). See
https://tinyurl.com/2p9dcmbb

Thank you for a very informative response. A lot to think about there
and I will definitely investigate some of your suggestions.

[Jeff Layman]

Post by Jenny M Benson
In front of my residence, south-facing and sheltered, I have 2 beds each
about 4 feet square, and a triangular bed of similar size. One of the
square beds is planted with miniature Conifers and the triangle is home
to a selection of Heuchera and a Tiarella. At present, the other square
bed is home to various annuals and bulbs but I would like to convert it
to permanent and attractive planting with winter colour/interest as the
other 2 beds have. Any suggestions?

I don't know how cold it gets there, but it depends on the microclimate.
Sometimes the easiest thing to do is look at what's growing nearby in
similar positions - it it grows there, it should grow where you are.

In a small bed you really need evergreen small shrubs and perennials.
I'd look at various small-sized geraniums, hellebores, hebes, skimmia,
and maybe some herbs such as thyme. If possible, look at variegated
versions for year-round colour. Unless your soil is very alkaline (which
I doubt), even ericaceous plants such as dwarf rhododendrons (such as
impeditum) should be ok. Also have a look at some of the correas which
flower in winter time if the area is fairly well protected against
severe frosts. I'd also keep a few bulbs as they can be very colourful
early in the year when little else is.

[Nick Maclaren]

Post by Jenny M Benson
In front of my residence, south-facing and sheltered, I have 2 beds each
about 4 feet square, and a triangular bed of similar size. One of the
square beds is planted with miniature Conifers and the triangle is home
to a selection of Heuchera and a Tiarella. At present, the other square
bed is home to various annuals and bulbs but I would like to convert it
to permanent and attractive planting with winter colour/interest as the
other 2 beds have. Any suggestions?

Ophiopogon is good - a bit invasive, but easy to keep under control.

If the soil is free-draining, try Helianthemum. Evergreen with
often silvery leaves and red, white or yellow flowers.

You probably don't want Chaenomeles "Crimson and Gold", but it meets
the requirements. It's a thug, root-runs and gets out of hand.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.