Have potted plants to hand to fill any gaps
Colourful displays in containers, bedding, or borders are all the better for a little imaginative planning. Municipal public display orders for seeds or young plants are placed many months in advance. But don’t worry, you haven’t missed the boat. Plug plants are widely available either locally or via mail order now and for weeks to come.
However, just bear in mind that the majority of these are half hardy plants that need a holding operation under cover until the main frost risk has gone.
Despite best laid plans there are occasional blips in summer displays.
When a group planting or perhaps a single specimen fails, creating an obvious gap, it can be sad if there’s nothing available to replace it.
Avoid such situations by having potted specimens to hand, as in this garden. We look upon a team of existing plants and others currently being introduced to containers as mobile gap fillers. Such flexibility works wonders with summer and autumn-blooming plants.
Try hardy fuchsias, assorted lavenders, herbaceous subjects including geranium, rudbeckia, coreopsis, asters, and catmint (nepeta), with an extended flowering period in mind.
Some border gaps may benefit from bulbs, a small shrub or large foliage plant which complements surrounding flowers. This could be an indoor type that will enjoy a summer airing.
Spectacular liliums are favourite gap-filling plants, and this family offers quite a range in colour and form. The Asiatic type, maximum height 45 centimetres, is popular for patio work and L. “Cavoli” has Burgundyred blooms. There’s a wider range of Asiatic hybrids that reach twice that height. Taller still are the Turkish cap species at 120 cms. But if giants float your boat, visit www. yougarden.com (tel. 0844 6 569 569) for the “Skyscraper Lily Collection.” Comprising 25 bulbs (5 x 5 varieties) for £19.95). They reach six feet tall over three years!
Stunningly fragrant Oriental Hybrids are my favourite. They can be sourced at www.dejager.co.uk. L. “Casa Blanca” has large, pure white trumpets but even it is outshone by L. “Stargazer”. Imagine, crimson-red blooms with maroon spots and white edged petals. Once seen beautifully displayed at the tomb of St Francis in Assisi, it is never forgotten.