As a plant addict and garden designer I find my life lived out not in coffee spoons but soil and propagules! It is a lifelong service to the earth and I have the urge to create gardens everywhere the opportunity allows! As a result of my professional practice, and addiction, healthy though it is, I have learnt quite a bit and there are seasonal top tips I would love to share with you here in: ‘Look locally over the garden gate’ which will be a regular feature for a garden ponder in our lovely Look Local Magazine.
This month: August, summers crescendo, holiday season, if you can’corona? If not the garden is ooooh so good for bbq’s and alfresco dining, paddling pools and sunbathing!! Time in the garden is warm, sometimes very wet and always burgeoning with potential for a floral feast to feed the soul.
If you need a boost in your garden for late summer I have some firm favourites. Many of us have a good show until the summer solstice, we are all familiar with Cottage garden favourites: Loupins, Delphiniums, Peonies, and I know you can name many more. But often we are looking a bit sparse apart from Roses and Fuchsias, full-time performers nonetheless. But truly now is the time for a real herbaceous show. Imports from around the world extend our season, summer bedding an obvious example but what about a fresh look with North American Prairie Perennials; planting made fashionable in garden circles in the 70’s with Piet Ordolf designs. In this design style they are teamed with grasses but for pure perennials try: Rudbeckia Fulgida Sullivantii ‘Goldstrum’, Phlox Paniculata, Coreopsis Palustris ‘Summer Sunshine’, Echinacea Purpurea ‘White Swan’, Liatris Spicata ‘Kobold’, Monarda Didyma ‘Pink Lace’, Eupatorium Dubium ‘Baby Joe’, Veronicastrum Virginicum.
The great thing is the plant centre and nurseries are well up on seasonal offerings. But the late summer perennials are often passed over as we don’t think of planting now with holidays, but perennials will be waiting & flowering for you, primed for a bit of bare earth in your borders.
For more ideas and gardening know-how check out my Blog on my website, www.mimosagardendesign.com or follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
With love, Lucie, Mimosa Design
