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    Time for a Rethink

    17th August 2016In The GardenStephanie Donaldson

    Now that I have more time for gardening, I’m reassessing some parts of the garden to see if I can make improvements.  First for this treatment is the Lower Garden in front of the old part of the house.  It is tucked away in a corner and always seems to be bottom of the list for attention.  As a result, although it does look lovely in spring, it is pretty unsatisfactory for the rest of the year and is in need of replanting.
    garden border

    foxgloves

    Pretty in Spring

    The two  New Dawn roses that climb up the obelisks are an ill-disciplined pair, they flower poorly and shoot off in every direction and most of the other roses, with the exception of a Cardinal Richelieu, seem to be struggling, while the majority of the perennials have to fight  for survival.
    roses

    roses

    By this time of year this whole area is looking tired and is in need of a revamp

    aganpanthus africanus

    hollyhocks There are a few exceptions – a very happy group of white Agapanthus africanus, clumps of iris sibirica, self sown geranium palmatum and a growing colony of hollyhocks – but the plan is to dig up the rest of the perennials and relocate them in other parts of the garden.  There are some good shrubs and small trees  that I will then underplant with grasses (there are already plenty of spring bulbs) and at the appropriate time (April)  I will divide up the agapanthus so that I can spread them through this area.  If it all works as planned, the result should be that the Lower Garden requires less work and looks better for much longer.  Watch this space.

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