Tag Archives: perennials

Is naturalistic planting for you?

Posted on March 15, 2019 by Michael

In comparison to a carefully planted and staked traditional herbaceous or perennial border the naturalistic style can look loose and untidy. Your personality will dictate which you prefer – order or chaos. Formal planting with plants arranged at regular intervals … Continue reading →

Posted in Meadows 101 | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Is naturalistic planting for you?

Autumn Fades into Winter

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Michael

Here are the last glimpses of autumn in my Amsterdam trial gardens. As a photographer I can make carefully composed images, but this “walking video” gives you the wider view.

Posted in Garden Month By Month, Meadows 101 | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Autumn Fades into Winter

Autumnal Textures over Perennial Colour

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Michael

My trial gardens in Amsterdam have teetered on the edge of chaos this year as a result of moving house. Weeds are under control and wayward growth ruthlessly chopped down, but I long for a clean sweep and the fresh growing … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden moods | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Late Summer Colour in the Perennial Meadows’ Garden

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Michael

My trial gardens in Amsterdam seem to have waltzed through the colour wheel this year in spite of the difficulties that weather has throw at them. Spring was too dry, the first half of summer was cold and dry, then … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden moods | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Late Summer Colour in the Perennial Meadows’ Garden

An Ornamental Grass to Use in Shade

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Michael

Grasses are mostly used in our gardens in sunny sites to bring texture, contrast and movement to our planting schemes, but in shade their are few that will thrive and offer us the same qualities. Instead we tend to use … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Recipes for perennial meadows | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Using Hakonechloa macra Grass in a Perennial Meadow.

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Michael

This is an ornamental grass I have used mainly as a pot specimen or as a front of border edging plant in the past, but lets think about how we might use it as a theme plant within a mixed … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Recipes for perennial meadows, Top Perennials | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Plant Recipes for Perennial Meadows

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Michael

A single plant portrait can seduce us into wanting to own and grow it, but it is only by mixing, matching and contrasting different plants in our garden borders that we can fully appreciate their subtleties and characters. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Recipes for perennial meadows | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Plant Recipes for Perennial Meadows

Dry Shade

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Michael

Two words that seem to trigger instant depression for gardeners: dry and shade. Yes, of course, plants need water and light to grow, but some can do with less. In some ways dry shade can offer opportunities that more clement … Continue reading →

Posted in Practical gardening | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Hemerocallis dumortieri – the earliest flowering daylily

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Michael

Hemerocallis dumortieri is the earliest flowering daylily in my garden and for this reason alone it deserves our attention. Daylilies are deservedly popular as they are easily grown perennials that flower over a long summer season. In America their popularity … Continue reading →

Posted in Top Perennials | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Blue Tulips

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Michael

My recent post on red tulips was intended to make a serious design point about using tulips as complementary plants in perennial meadow planting schemes; what follows is more of a celebration of what this incredible flower has to offer. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bulbs for the Garden | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments