|
| I would love to learn to overplant so that I have something blooming most of the time. What's the secret to it? How can I mix in annuals around bulbs so it looks like the bulbs are coming up through the annual flowers? Example: Carpet of snow Alyssum or creeping phlox. That is all I could come to my mind at this moment. |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| There isn't really anything to 'learn'. It's a lot more straightforward than you think. Just put your annuals where you want them. Both your examples would cause no problem to a determined daffodil or crocus. Spring bulbs would already be showing by the time you plant out annuals so just avoid breaking them off as you dig. Alternatively, if you are sowing seed just sprinkle it over the bulbs. They'll sort themselves out. |
|
| My gardens are designed to have waves of blooms from mid-Spring until fall. It is not really a cottage style, because I do try to maintain some spacing. But there is a lot more packed into my gardens than what appears on the surface at any one time. The first "wave" of blooms is mostly bulbs and a few early blooming shrubs like Forsythia or Purple sand cherry. Some of the later bulbs will blend with early blooming perennials like Dicentra or Columbine. Most spring bulbs or spring ephemerals are going to bloom long before any winter-sown annuals bloom however. You could buy already blooming annuals at the nursery though, but that defeats the purpose of winter-sowing! It is the dying bulb foliage that I am usually trying to hide by planting the bulbs amongst the emerging perennials or planting annuals amongst the bulbs. I also try to fill in between perennials with annuals and biennials - Cleome, Cosmos, Verbena bonariensis, Digitalis, some herbs like dill and cilantro which make pretty flowers, etc. Sometimes it works great, sometimes not. I try to take lots of pictures, so I can go back and see what's blooming when, and constantly refine the waves of blooms in the gardens. Takes years, but it's fun fun! Hope this at least partially addresses your inquiry. |
|
- Posted by pitimpinai z6 Chicago (My Page) on Sat, Oct 8, 11 at 22:02
| I have something in bloom nearly 10 months of the year. Even in the depth of winter, I have some interesting features in my garden. Now everything is practically established. In spring, I plant some annuals hear and there to keep colors going. Then all I do is tidying the garden a bit as the seasons progress. 1. Some shrubs and evergreens for structure & fall & winter interests (Coral Ember Willows, Red-twig Dogwood, miniature evergreens, yucca, American Arborvitae, Betula nigra 'Little King', Physocarpus 'Diablo', Cortinus coggygia,Oakleaf Hydrangia, Hydrangea 'Annabelle', etc.) 2. A LOT of long blooming perennials and/or with fragrance or large, bold structure/texture (Geranium 'Roxanne', large, bold hostas, Ornamental grass, MANY & MANY Clematis, Sedum, etc.) 3. A LOT Of BULBS in between everything. 2 - 3 bulbs were planted in the same hole by layering. They begin to bloom in February and take turn coming up through spring - summer - fall. 4. After planting all of the above, I then scatter leftover seeds everywhere. Examples of what are currently in bloom or offering interesting features: |
|
- Posted by pitimpinai z6 Chicago (My Page) on Sat, Oct 8, 11 at 22:50
| Examples of bulbs for blooming succession: February - March - April: May - June - July - August: September: |
|
- Posted by pitimpinai z6 Chicago (My Page) on Sat, Oct 8, 11 at 22:55
| - Allium for May - June blooming |
|
- Posted by sassybutterfly_2008 7 NorthWest GA (My Page) on Mon, Oct 10, 11 at 1:31
| These are really wonderful ideas. Continuous blooms is something I've just started trying to work on myself. Thanks for sharing these! |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Winter Sowing Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.