Bog/Marsh/Pond area planting placement advice please..

dan-fisher · #1 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 11:03 PM

OK.. The wildlife pond is re-done (lower). The 'bog' area is dug 12+ inches deep, lined with overlapped damp proof membrame (cheap bordering on free), filled and watered well..

The area is approx minimum 4mtrs x 1mtr.. including small pond.

Plants are purchased and will be delivered by the garden center Thursday..

THE PLANTS : (All are small 'plugs' grown in cold greenhouse (?) ready for planting)

20 - Purple Loosestrife

10 - Marsh Marigold

6 - Water Mint

10 - Water Forget-me-nots

10 - Brooklime

10 - Ragged Robin (Cuckoo flower)

Advice required is...

How far apart does each flower need to be ??

Do i bunch several of the same together or singular??

What is the estimated height/spread of each flower??

Obviously i'm looking for a blanket of colour and life..

(I'm not worried about too many plants ordered as surplus will get snapped up pretty sharpish)

PICTURE will be up in the morning when it's light..

Many many thanks for any decent advice...

Dan

dan-fisher · #2 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 11:50 PM

Jez · #3 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 12:14 AM

Hi Dan,

Heights first-
Purple loosestrife- 60-120cm, Marsh marigold 55cm, Watermint 20-60cm, Brooklime 20- 50cm, water forget-me-not 1ft, Ragged Robin 30-60cm, Cuckoo Flower 20-30cm.

width apart-
PL 2-2.5ft, Marsh marigold at 2ft-2.5ft if you want gaps?, Watermint 1ft, wfmn-18", BL 18", RR 18" CF, 18"

Planting suggests-

Now you know your heights and widths, I'd play about and see what works for you! They can always be moved at a later date when not in flower, should you wish to refine the look!

Happy planting

Jez

Jez · #4 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 12:34 AM

Sorry to mess you around Dan but you could narrow the planting on the last 4 i reckon down to a ft!

Did you get this last post? Marigolds down to 2ft but keep the purple loosestrife the same!

dan-fisher · #5 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 12:34 AM

Hi Jez thanks that's great..

You mention gaps,, i don't want any.

I'd like it to be busy and pretty thick vegetation the sort that even tarzan would need to machete his way through

I'm using wild flower native style stuff but want the look of blanket cover..

Will i need to squash things together more ?

The only access in the bog required will be for the insects/frogs/toads/newts and hopefully a grass snake.. that'd be cool! The bees/butterflies etc will hopefully go nuts for it!

thanks mate

dan

dan-fisher · #6 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jez

Sorry to mess you around Dan but you could narrow the planting on the last 4 i reckon down to a ft!

far from it mate any help from yourself fully appreciated and welcomed

dan-fisher · #7 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 12:39 AM

Also Jez,, say the purple ones are 2ft apart.. can i put anything else in it's terrotory so in effect pretty much all plants at random are say 1ft apart or less ??

Jez · #8 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan-fisher

Also Jez,, say the purple ones are 2ft apart.. can i put anything else in it's terrotory so in effect pretty much all plants at random are say 1ft apart or less ??

On a mad cosy mission I see!

My answer to that is no mate, they grow prostate but at a width of 1ft or more, so any thing in between will suffer badly i'm affraid, though that doesn't mean you can't have a few sitting somewhere on there own within 1ft tops!

dan-fisher · #9 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jez

On a mad cosy mission I see!

My answer to that is no mate, they grow prostate but at a width of 1ft or more, so any thing in between will suffer badly i'm affraid, though that doesn't mean you can't have a few sitting somewhere on there own within 1ft tops!

You've lost me there Jez.. What is 'grow prostate' ? So on the PL's and MM's 1ft is the minimum?,, and the others ? Can they be squeezed down ?

Bear in mind the only time i've plangted anything is when we made crest in infant school

Jez · #10 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan-fisher

You've lost me there Jez.. What is 'grow prostate' ? So on the PL's and MM's 1ft is the minimum?,, and the others ? Can they be squeezed down ?

Bear in mind the only time i've plangted anything is when we made crest in infant school

Sorry it must be time I'm starting to flag!

Not prostate oops, I meant perpendicular! I'll try my best to explain again. Pl if planting one on it's lonesome next to say watermint the smallest gap between them I'd chance 1ft no less. when planting Pl in groups 2ft min same goes for marsh mariglold! Since you haven't planted anything since you were a nipper then I'll let you go 8" no more and let that be a lesson to you lol! You've been warned!!!