Advice needed on pond and border planting please.

[reino]

Thank you CM for your reply.
You're right about the soil in the garden, tiny bits of coal do seem to rise to the surface on one side of the garden.
I'll also google my address to find out which way the gardens facing.
I agree with your idea about having more climbers, I would like to cover the fencing as much as possible, I'm having to wait for now though as we had a skip collected last week and the driver swung it into the fence post so that needs replacing first.
At the moment there are half a dozen clematis planted which I hope will thrive again this year, a few shrivelled up in a matter of days last year for some reason. There's also some Old English climbing roses,a quince, a honeysuckle and my favourite, a chilean potato tree which looks wonderful next to the clematis.
Do you have any recommendations for other climbers? Do you think a clematis montana would be suitable to grow up the telegraph pole and along the back of the fence?
I have checked over the edging of the pond again today, meaning to start dismantling it and re-building it again as you are correct in thinking that the soil has either settled or slipped into the water and the stones look in danger of falling in too.
I'm afraid I've been at a loss of what to do though, your idea of putting a second layer of stones on the back edge of the existing stones sounds like the best option as if I move the stones back the liner is exposed more.
I'm interested that you like 'pebbles' in the garden, as I was beginning to wonder if I should remove them, to try to soften the edges of the pond.

I also like the idea of the herbs, I think they would look nice planted amongst the 'pebbles' at the front of the pond. I already have yellow thyme and that is thriving well.
Would you mind also explaining the best way to build layers of planting.

Thank you very much for your reply, you have given me plenty to think about.

Reino

[Jez]

Have you got stones to keep the roots of the clematis cool as how they like to be? It maybe the reason why some frizzled up!

[reino]

Hello jez,

No, I just had plants at the base of them which I thought would be enough protection.
I noticed they were beginning to wilt one very hot afternoon but knew I shouldn't water them in full sun so left it. By the end of the day the damage had been done. Some went 'crisp' just at the bottom and the top still flowered so I've cut them back hard in case there's still some life in them.
I've learned my lesson!!

Reino

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by reino

You're right about the soil in the garden, tiny bits of coal do seem to rise to the surface on one side of the garden.
At the moment there are half a dozen clematis planted which I hope will thrive again this year, a few shrivelled up in a matter of days last year for some reason. There's also some Old English climbing roses,a quince, a honeysuckle and my favourite, a chilean potato tree which looks wonderful next to the clematis.
Do you have any recommendations for other climbers? Do you think a clematis montana would be suitable to grow up the telegraph pole and along the back of the fence?
I also like the idea of the herbs, I think they would look nice planted amongst the 'pebbles' at the front of the pond. I already have yellow thyme and that is thriving well.
Would you mind also explaining the best way to build layers of planting.
Reino

Apologies for being a bit obtuse about a couple of things -

re: the geology. Coal Measures is a generic term referring to the whole of the rock sequence within which the main coal bearing strata are found. Most of it is made up of sandstones and shales; the coal you found is likely the left overs from someone's coal shed Anyway, it's not really important other than knowing the character of the soil.

re: layering - I simply meant this as a general design aproach. By tightly planting and graduating the heights of plants 'inwards' from the fences you can create sense of 'texture' as well as maximising the volumes of plants, and as a consequence the amount of attraction to wildlife . Obviously you will want to vary that approach to fit the various spaces and dense planting can require more frequent maintenance where plants are in competion - pruning etc, but as long as each plant has some access to light, all should thrive.

re: C.montana, this is a great plant though perhaps too competitive for your small space - if the pole is in use you might find that covering it in a montana attracts complaints from BT, so something more subtle might be safer. Although not a climber, if you have room for a Pyrancatha, these are great at attracting birds to the berries in autumn, otherwise I'd stick to variations on what you already have. Clematis do need their roots out of the sun, and lots of water in the period after planting if the weather is warm.

CM

[reino]

Hello again CM,
It's very polite of you to say you were being obtuse......when really I was just showing my ignorance!
I mentioned the coal because apparently there was mining in this area at some point in the past so I jumped at your mention of coal......you're right it is likely to be from someone's old bunker.
I had my head in my hands when I read that!!!
Thanks for explaining the planting arrangements, I had a general idea of what you meant but you've confirmed to me that I need to cram a lot in together for impact. I've already moved quite a few plants around as the taller ones weren't at the back.
I'll take heed about the montana although there's no room for a pyracantha I'm afraid. I'll just have to put up with the pole, I don't notice it much anymore, (until I saw these photos).
Thanks for getting back to me, I appreciate it,

Reino

[J-Williams]

With my pond I have ground cover around most of my pond along with other thick bushy plants! Im not sure on which species the ground cover is, it is bright green and gets yellow flowers once a year!

Its great for little froglets to rest on, or hide underneath and Cabbage White Caterpillars love the stuff!

So see if you can get in a bit of ground cover, it works for me, other than that I think most good species have already been suggested.

[J-Williams]

Oh sorry I just realised that you said you dont want yellow, although do try other species of ground cover!

[reino]

Hello J Williams,
Thanks for your reply. I've not had time to do much in the garden for the last few weeks so haven't done any ordering of plants yet.
I have some creeping plants around the pond area at the moment, they look a bit like buttercups, they maybe what you're suggesting.
I'm also intend to get some yellow flag iris so that will be two yellow plants......that's more than enough for me...for some reason I'm not too keen on them.
Reino