Summer Schemes

Winter is the perfect time to plan new flower beds and prepare the soil for planting. Here are three schemes that’ll be showstoppers in the summer months

- Lizette Jonker

The secret of an eye-catching flower bed is the harmonious combination of colours and textures, and grouping plants with the same water and light requirements. Another important factor is soil preparation. To get plants off to a good start, always dig the soil to a depth of at least 50cm, enrich it with plenty of compost and an organic balanced fertiliser before planting.

PERENNIAL PLEASURES

The ideal bed has more flowering perennials than annuals, making it less work and more economical. A perennial bed like this pretty blue and yellow one is more effective if the plants are placed in large drifts rather than dotted about.

1 CLEMATIS love well-drained, slightly alkaline soil with lots of compost and organic pellets. Plant them in a sunny position with ground covers underneath to cool down the roots. A vine, it needs training over a support. 

2 RUSSIAN SAGE (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a spectacular summer bloomer with silver foliage and soft lavender flowers. As it’s deciduous, it dies back in autumn and pops up again in spring. It doesn’t like shade so plant it in full sun where it’ll flower beautifully. It’s fairly tall so plant it at the back of the border. At the end of autumn, mulch with compost and cut back the dead foliage.