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Perennials & Annuals - Australia

New to perennials

20 years ago

Hi,

I've basically been a native gardener for many years, but I've decided to turn the garden around our house into a cottage garden style perennial garden. We live on heavy silty/clay.

I was thinking of improving the area before planting by building the beds up with (after adding gypsum) straw and planting seed potatoes. Then when they're finished adding as much organic matter as possible before planting the perennials. Sound like a good plan?

Can anyone suggest to me, a good web site or book for planning the layout and plant selection of such a garden. As I said I'm a total newbie to non-native gardens to I need to start at the very beginning.

Thanks.

Lynette

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Comments (5)

annabel__WA
20 years ago
If you are handy to a library that could be your first stop as there is usually something there and it's free. There is a book of 500 Perennials, one of a series. Why not ask Norgate's for a catalogue of their perennials as they are good value and field grown plants. It will depend on what your colour choice is as to what you plan to buy. Have fun!
JonOl_S
20 years ago
Hi Lynette, I agree with annabel. We did a similar thing with our front garden and after reading up in books from the library we discussed at length the selection of plants with a local nursery. The result has been a very low maintenance garden which always looks OK even in winter.
Your preparation work has been very good so you should finish up with something quite special.
Good gardening, John
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I'm sure you will get other responses with greater detail but here is where I would start. Be sure to pull those weeds by hand to remove the seeds from that area. Understand that tilling it up will bring other buried seeds up to the surface so you will be fighting weeds next year. Be sure to put a marker at any small plants you put in that area. I slice up milk jugs with a pair of scissors to make plant markers. This will help in weeding the area and a helper won't pull up your plants. If the soil has a good layer there you should not have to add more topsoil. And yes you should try to remove any large stones when it is tilled up. I purchase the composted cow manure called Black Cow. Look for a bright yellow bag with black printing at Lowe's or Home Depot. It is very inexpensive. About $2 per bag here in Virginia. It sounds like you may need three or four bags but you can judge for your planting area. Good luck with your project.
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annabel__WA
20 years ago
I meant to add not to forget bulbs like lilies and tubers like dahlias and even cannas as a backdrop.The spring bulbs are growing while the perennials have been cut back for winter.
lkime
Original Author
20 years ago
Annabel and JOhn,

Thanks heaps for your tips. I've decided on a pastel (purple, blue, white) colour scheme and I've been to the library and armed myself with a load of books to get me started.

Local nursery, look out!!!

Lynette
gekko
20 years ago
hi Lynette
It is very possible to have a 'native cottage garden' and its a bit more of a challenge than the tried and tru garden centre hum drum.
If i were you id import as much organic matter as you can afford. make friends with a tree lopper and source some manure. the way i see it if the fungi and the micro-organisms are happy so too will be your plants.

Here is a link that might be useful: gardening australia

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