Planting ideas please

[kaz]

There is a garden area beside the pond which has turned out to be a disappointment. The gunnera must go... it didn't do well and I'm not sure it would look right there anyway.

I'd like some different textures / heights and some all round colour. Any ideas please:

[Anyanka]

Kaz, I grew some cardoon from seed this spring - the tallest one is now about 2metres high and has flowers like artichokes/giant thistles; lovely greyish-green foliage, very jungly, really good for filling a space like yours (three plants would be enough). It's supposed to be a vegetable, but I'm not going to eat it - looks too good. Very easy, too. It remains to be seen how it overwinters, but if necessary I'll start fresh next spring!

[Rita]

How about some of these Kaz

http://images.google.co.uk/images?sourc ... s+breaches

[kaz]

Many thanks Rita... not seen those before. I still haven't planted that area yet, but will start in Spring I want something at the far end of the pond too, but will see what ideas we get on trees first.

[alison]

Kaz is that area nearest to the house (or in other words do you see that bare area before the pond ) I was thinking that if it was before the pond then you wouldn't want anything big there to block your view as you look down the garden. I even thought that maybe you could turn it into a little seating area so you can sit and watch the fish etc or maybe a beach type setting leading into the pond. It would be nice as a seating area with fragrant plants like lavender or stock.

[whis4ey]

I agree that if this is between you and the pond that the Gunnera is in the wrong place
Put it on the other side

[kaz]

Good heavens... I posted about this almost 2 years ago . I have since removed the gunnera and bunged in some plants... you won't be surprised to know I can't recall their names!

[alison]

Well you had better get an updated photo on here then hadn't you !!!