Mixing the heights of plants
There are
many elements that need to be blended to create a sucessful fairy retreat
! One of them is of course understanding the different heights plants
achieve ...
When starting your garden it would be easier to begin with the 'background' plants , these are the largest of your perennial shrubs , such as daisys , diosmas , buddleias , mexican orange blossom etc (don't forget your herbs in easily accessable places) etc . Take note of size these plants will end up - you need to achieve a 'full' effect but not so crowded your plants can't grow !
Start by placing the plants intheir pots at the sites you feel they will look best( and according to shade/sun factors on the label ) - stand back and try to visualise them in 1-2 yrs time when they are more mature ! If happy with your vision then it is time to dig ...
Next is the smaller perennial shrubs and ground creepers , once again place them in their pots (according to shade/sun instructions on the label ) where you want them to go ... visualise ... then dig .
Keep going until you have 'filled' the space appropiately , by this I mean , in a year or two it will appear as you have visualised !
Ahhhhh... But all those large gaps ... this is where you put in your annuals - after all they will only last a season or two .
With annuals you can afford to mass plant ( ie. plant closer than is generally reccommened ) , you can afford to experiment with colour , and try more experimental planting (mixing taller and shorter plants randomly ) , you may like to use plants that will readily reseed themselves every year , such as Cosmos , Lobelia , nasturtiums , stocks etc , click on the link below to find more suggestions .
The key word with annuals is EXPERIMENT after all if it really doesn't work they won't last long or have cost to much . Seedlings give a great more instant effect , where as seeds giue you surprises ( mixed seeds can be lightly raked into the soil and forgotten about until you notice a flower you didn't know was there ! ) .
This is what will make your fairy garden yours!