White Border

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by alana, Aug 28, 2013.

  1. alana

    alana Super Gardener

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    I have a large border which has been overshadowed by two trees. The trees have been cut down and I now have the uneviable task of clearing the debris and the pathetic plants and shrubs that have struggled in the heavy clay. I intend to dig over the border when the weather is suitable - (it's rock hard at present) and improve the structure with plenty of organic matter.

    My vision is to grow white flowers and shrubs. I have compiled a list of plants I can split or dig up from other areas of the garden. I would appreciate any input from members of the site especially on any white plants that do well in heavy soil .
    The list of plants I already have are:

    Cerastium
    Myrtle (large potted)
    Agapanthus (large clumps in pots)
    Leucanthemums
    Lavendar Arctic Snow
    White Day Lilies (variety unknown)
     
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    • Spruce

      Spruce Glad to be back .....

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      get it going in the spring start with snowdrops , white daffs and crocus and tulips, white fox gloves would love your soil easy from seed, I was trying to think of a good white daylily but I will get back to you on that and will ask my mate @simbad & @Wylie what they suggest and easy to get hold off

      Spruce
       
    • Sheal

      Sheal Total Gardener

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      I've grown white Lupins for the first time this year they should be okay in your soil. There's also Hibiscus, Philadelphus and Exochorda. :)
       
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      • noisette47

        noisette47 Total Gardener

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        For maximum effect, plan for foliage contrasts first, and flowers second. The foliage lasts a lot longer. Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Irene Paterson' or 'Silver Queen', Stachys lanata 'Silver Carpet' and Rhamnus alaternus argenteovariegata for instance...
        A white shrub rose? Can't beat roses for clay:blue thumb:
         
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        I'm sure @shiney will recommend Hydrangea arborescens'Annabelle'

        I've got Buddleja davidii 'White Profusion'.
         
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        • Lolimac

          Lolimac Guest

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          Pure white Foxgloves:wub2:
           
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          • shiney

            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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            We're on heavy clay so all of these would be suitable. All of the photos are of plants in our garden and we just add garden compost each year. As was said by Spruce, snowdrops are a brilliant start to the year.

            Double white Hellebore
            P1150689.jpg

            Our Annabelle, as mentioned by John :blue thumb:
            P1100863.jpg

            P1100911.jpg


            Exochorda
            P1160468.jpg

            Aquilegia
            P1160621.jpg

            Lilac
            P1160786.jpg
             
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            • simbad

              simbad Total Gardener

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              I'm on heavy clay to alana so just thinking what white plants I have in my garden.
              Delphinium 'Galahad' is a nice white.
              Aruncus more of a creamy white
              Hardy geraniums
              Eupatorium chocolate that has dark foliage and white flowers for later colour.
              Crambe Cordifolia(needs lots of space)
              Sanguisorba tenuifolia
              Choisya Aztec Pearl which I grow a scrambling white clematis through for summer colour
              Asters I have one called 'Apollo' thats white.
              Catanache bi-colour that does have purple flecks in the centre though.
              White oriental poppies
              Thalictrum delayvaii I have a white one can't think of name offhand
              White bearded iris 'Immortality' s a must have :wub2:
              A good near white daylily is 'Joan Senior' Spruce which is quite a popular one so probably the one alana already has :)
              Here's just a few pictures
              Eupatorium chocolate
              eupotorium chocolate.jpg
              Aster novi-belgii 'Apollo'
              Aster novi belgii Apollo.jpg
              Catanache Bi-color
              catanache bi\'colour.jpg
              Iris 'Immortality'
              immortality.jpg
              Crambe Cordifolia
              crambe.jpg
               
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              • shiney

                shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                Wisteria - a rather longer term project :)
                P1170061.jpg


                A totally thornless, highly scented, white rose - flowers only for a short period
                P1170207.jpg


                Cistus - we also have a white flowered one with variegated leaves
                P1170214.jpg

                Front - Aruncus sylvestris. Rear - top right - variegated elderberry (easily controlled)
                P1170221.jpg


                Campanula
                P1170451.jpg


                Double Philadelphus
                P1170457.jpg
                 
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                • shiney

                  shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                  Verbascum Chaixii
                  P1170470.jpg

                  P1170612.jpg

                  Hebes - tall and short - sorry, don't know their names :doh:
                  P1170513.jpg

                  P1170515.jpg

                  Allium Giganteum white
                  P1170517.jpg


                  Deutzia
                  P1170539.jpg
                   
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                  • alana

                    alana Super Gardener

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                    Wow - thanks for your replies everyone. Most of my garden is full of colour so I am going for a real contrast with this border.
                    I would like to extend the season as long as possible so I will go for foliage. I already grow several pittisporums and they are a good value plant which would sit well with the flowers.
                    Shiney - I love Annabelle but I feel it would be too dominant. It is such a star it would outshine everything else.
                     
                  • shiney

                    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                    There are a whole variety of Viburnums
                    A tall growing one
                    P1070082.jpg

                    A prostrate - lace cap, version
                    P1100266.jpg

                    Lychnis
                    P1170541.jpg


                    There are many varieties of Feverfew - this is a golden leafed variety but you can get a double white version with green leaves (we've got it somewhere in the garden :scratch:)
                    P1170550.jpg

                    Nandine - also known as Sacred Bamboo or Heavenly Bamboo, although not a bamboo!
                    P1170915.jpg


                    I think that, with all the others mentioned, should be enough to confuse you :heehee:
                     
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                    • shiney

                      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                      There are lots of variegated leaved vaieties of plants that are ever'green'. They can give you some good interest. :blue thumb:
                       
                    • Kristen

                      Kristen Under gardener

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                    • Wylie

                      Wylie Super Gardener

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                      There are no pure white [or blue] daylilies. You would have to go with a cream or pale yellow, which would spoil the whole white look.
                       
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