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Planning a bed - need suggestions

11 years ago

So I attempted to plan beds last year and did an okay job on the timing of my front bed (had things blooming in spring, summer and will hopefully have fall blooms). However, I did a HORRIBLE job on height, colors, and covering up done perennials.

Thus, I am planning on redoing my front bed in the spring and need to make sure I order things for fall/spring planting. However, I cannot seem to decide what to put in this bed and would love your suggestions!

I am in central Pennsylvania, zone 6b, with clay soil. However, this is a raised bed and heavily amended and I have not had problems with anything in it for the last three years. It is 6 feet by 20 feet and in the east part of my house. It gets 8+ hours of sun a day. Since there is a smokebush on one side and a lovely cherry tree on the other, I was hoping to do a pink/purple/blue (and splashes of white) color scheme. I was going to put three rosebushes in as the backdrop and then fill the rest with perennials.

I need suggestions on what you would put where (background, foreground, ground cover, etc). Also, need suggestions on what you would put next to each other and how you would avoid ugly foliage (I hated my daylilies and irises once they were done). After my terrible placement this year, I obviously need some expert opinions.

Thank you for your help!

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Comments (3)

laceyvail 6A, WV
11 years ago
Basic rules of thumb:
Most plants (though certainly not all--Baptisia for example)that bloom early, look bad for much of the rest of the season. Use them sparingly.

Go for good foliage of various colors and consider the flowers the icing on the cake.

Consider the texture of the foliage (large leaves versus small) and the shape of the plant (domed, spiky, etc) as you plan. Interesting textures and plant shapes, as well as differing foliage colors, keep an area very interesting even when nothing is in bloom.
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freki
11 years ago
groundcovers I've found to be "civilized" (won't strangle other plants): sweet woodruff (May bloom, part shade), Irish moss (it's neither Irish nor moss - full sun), Platt's Black (sun or part shade), iceplant (full sun, dry & hot)

Like laceyvail, I plant with height & foliage type in mind.

I've had good luck with these keeping good foliage through the season, although some look untidy if they aren't deadheaded: sea thrift, dwarf monarda, germander, thymes, meadowsweet, lavender, iceplants, heather, chrysanthemums, and artemisias. All available in the bloom colours you want.

HTH!
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felisar (z5)
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I like using sedum with different colored foliage for a long lasting effect - some of my favorites are Xenox, September Charm, Class Act, and Purple Emperor. Purple Emperor needs to be cut back by at least half in late May/early June to keep in compact and avoid sprawl.
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