Can anyone suggest a "substantial" flowering perennial (or annual) for the
back of a border in a corner. I had verbena bonariensis last year, but it
was too see-through and didn't have enough presence. I want something
heavier and bulkier, with more oomph.

Thanks.

David wrote:
Can anyone suggest a "substantial" flowering perennial (or annual)
for the back of a border in a corner. I had verbena bonariensis
last
year, but it was too see-through and didn't have enough presence.
I
want something heavier and bulkier, with more oomph.

Others will have many suggestions, but it sounds like a case for
delphinums to me, if the aspect's right. Good tall ones, not the
paltry modern runts.

Or sweet peas: again, not the modern abortions, but proper scented
ones.

Mike.

On 27/1/05 3:38 pm, in article , "Mike Lyle"
wrote:

David wrote:
Can anyone suggest a "substantial" flowering perennial (or annual)
for the back of a border in a corner. I had verbena bonariensis
last
year, but it was too see-through and didn't have enough presence.
I
want something heavier and bulkier, with more oomph.

Others will have many suggestions, but it sounds like a case for
delphinums to me, if the aspect's right. Good tall ones, not the
paltry modern runts.

Or sweet peas: again, not the modern abortions, but proper scented
ones.

Mike.


Or a Cardoon - now *that's* 'presence' in a minimum of 6'x6'! ;-) Or, if
the climate is right, Amecia zygomeris, tall, unusual, pretty, quite
eye-catching. And Salvias are greatly under-rated, IMO. Again, which are
grown will depend on the location but here we get Salvia involucrata through
the winter and its zinging pink flowers stop everyone in their tracks, as
does Thalictrum Hewitt's Double - a really marvellous plant.
And if David had Verbena bonariensis last year, I would be surprised if he
doesn't find he's got it again this year - unless he hoicked it out before
it could seed!
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)

"David" wrote in message
...
: Can anyone suggest a "substantial" flowering perennial (or annual) for the
: back of a border in a corner. I had verbena bonariensis last year, but it
: was too see-through and didn't have enough presence. I want something
: heavier and bulkier, with more oomph.
:
: Thanks.
:
I would go for a camelia if your soil is not alkaline as it can be pruned
with no problem if it gets too big and has "delicious" dark evergreen leaves
:

"David" wrote in message
...
Can anyone suggest a "substantial" flowering perennial (or annual) for the
back of a border in a corner. I had verbena bonariensis last year, but it
was too see-through and didn't have enough presence. I want something
heavier and bulkier, with more oomph.

Thanks.

Acanthus mollis, Telekia speciosa or maybe Cardoon

--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collection of Clematis viticella (cvs)

David wrote in message
...
Can anyone suggest a "substantial" flowering perennial (or annual) for the
back of a border in a corner. I had verbena bonariensis last year, but it
was too see-through and didn't have enough presence. I want something
heavier and bulkier, with more oomph.

Thanks.



Hi David,

I wonder if it has to be an _herbaceous_ perennial? If not, Lavatera would
fit the bill, being substantial in both its form and flowering period.
A possible border perennial might be Crambe cordifolia. If your corner
would support a climber, I could recommend Clematis texensis 'Duchess of
Albany' - I grow one of these and can always rely on plenty of leaf cover
as well as flowers from July to the frosts. It would look gorgeous if your
V. bonariensis stayed and kept it company.

Spider

"David" wrote ...
Can anyone suggest a "substantial" flowering perennial (or annual) for the
back of a border in a corner.


Thanks for all the suggestions. There are some good ideas there, and I'll
definitely be growing some of the plants that were suggested.

Thanks again.
David

On 29/1/05 2:09, in article , "David"
wrote:

"David" wrote ...
Can anyone suggest a "substantial" flowering perennial (or annual) for the
back of a border in a corner.


Thanks for all the suggestions. There are some good ideas there, and I'll
definitely be growing some of the plants that were suggested.

Thanks again.
David



Once you've decided, please let us know what you choose and then later, how
you liked it. It's always nice to get the feedback!
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)

In article ,
Charlie Pridham wrote:

"David" wrote in message
...
Can anyone suggest a "substantial" flowering perennial (or annual) for the
back of a border in a corner. I had verbena bonariensis last year, but it
was too see-through and didn't have enough presence. I want something
heavier and bulkier, with more oomph.

Acanthus mollis, Telekia speciosa or maybe Cardoon

The first has oomph, all right. You plant it there and, before you
get time to blink, it has sprouted up 6' away - under the lawn as
well as in the flower beds. It took me a decade to eradicate.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

In article ,
(David) wrote:

too see-through and didn't have enough presence. I want something
heavier and bulkier, with more oomph.

Large Sunflowers. I had some red ones and a passer by knocked on my door
to ask where to get the seeds.

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com
A useful bit of gardening software at http://www.netservs.com/garden/

"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
: In article ,
: (David) wrote:
:
: too see-through and didn't have enough presence. I want something
: heavier and bulkier, with more oomph.
:
: Large Sunflowers. I had some red ones and a passer by knocked on my door
: to ask where to get the seeds.
:
And what is the answer?

In article , Spider
writes
I wonder if it has to be an _herbaceous_ perennial? If not, Lavatera would
fit the bill, being substantial in both its form and flowering period.

There are herbaceous Lavateras. Lavatera thurigiaca 'Ice Cool' might fit
the bill. Lavatera x clementii 'Candy Floss' is herbaceous with me,
though I suspect that it might be shrubby in a different climate;
Alnwick Castle has a big specimen (6 feet high by 8 feet across) of
this. I don't know whether 'Sweet Dreams' or 'White Angel' become bulky,
but they are taller than 'Ice Cool'.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley
http://www.malvaceae.info/

In article ,
(Robert) wrote:

: Large Sunflowers. I had some red ones and a passer by knocked on my
door
: to ask where to get the seeds.
:
And what is the answer?

Lidl

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com
A useful bit of gardening software at http://www.netservs.com/garden/