The Perennial Border in the Meadow

We started to plant perennials here for two reasons: to link the tree and shrub planting through to the pond, and to use up excess stock from elsewhere.

I had got seriously into propagating anything and everything, and being delighted with any results, regardless of how prolific my results were.. A home had to be found for the odd 100 Phlomis russelliana plants that cluttered up the space around the Polytunnel, or several barrowloads of Daylilies from the extreme border by the house which seemed to get bigger each time you looked at it. Other seedlings, for instance Inula magnifica would pop up in unexpected places and needed to be moved to somewhere they could reach their potential in comfort.

This border took off and thrived. In spring the new green foliage textures were stunning, in summer and into autumn the flowers took over for the insects and for us to enjoy. In autumn and winter the birds feasted on the seeds. Late winter it was all strimmed back to the ground and raked away. Easy. Another bonus, being next to the pond, the free range and wild ducks saw to any slugs for us. I must admit it has put me off duck eggs since!

What we Grew Here. Purple loosestrife, Yellow loosestrife, Eupatorium purpureum, Fennel, Filipendula, Achillea, Michaelmas daisy, Geranium, Comfrey, Inula magnifica, Saponaria officianalis, Borage, Lysimachia, Red Campion, Phlomis russelliana, Symphytum, Cimicifuga simplex ‘ Black Beauty’