Summer flowers: jewel tones

Planting and maintenance:

Ideally, this collection of 36 plants should be planted together for full impact. If this is the case, the scheme should cover 5 - 7 sq metres. Remember to consider addng structural plants or even a small tree as mentioned above - doing this will obviously increase the size of the area covered. Plants should be arranged informally rather than on a grid, with all the plants equally distributed amongst each other and no two plants of the same type adjacent. The taller plants such as Penstemon, Thalictrum, Delphinium and Lupin should be placed towards the back whereas smaller plants such as Alchemilla and Coreopsis should be placed nearer the front. Plant into well weeded soil in a sunny or partially shady spot. The soil should be free-draining and fertile, and after planting mulch the soil between the plants with well-rotted manure or fine grade bark mulch. This will keep down weeds, protect the soil from the elements and break down into the soil to improve its fertility and structure. Keep well watered through any dry spells. At the end of the year, or even in early spring, cut down all discoloured foliage and stems to only a couple of inches above ground level, excluding the penstemon. This is also a good time to give the bed a 'spring clean' and remove any weeds, as well as to top up with new manure, compost or fine-grade bark mulch.

All schemes are supplied with full plant list, planting and aftercare instructions. 

Plants in this scheme:

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