As usual, at this time of year, the gardening magazines are full of=20
plant catalogues. Like everybody, I tend to look through them with a=20
little interest at what is on the market and what I can usually expect=20
to see in the nurseries in a couple of months.

We move into this house 3 years ago and after getting rid of the=20
leylandii, I was left with a lawn and a Kerria Japonica. Down the west=20
side of the south facing garden, I put a raised bed in and it was=20
fantastic the first year. I plotted out and started out a couple of=20
shrubs and perennials for the east, but was distracted by the dog and=20
then the arrival of our daughter in July 2003.

I'd intended to build up a wide cottage garden type bed of mostly=20
perennials and some shrubs down that side. As things stand I have grass,=20
weeds, runaway strawberries and a bay that's a couple of feet high.

I'm not looking to do instant glamour, but an improvement on last year's=20
mess of Dahlias, weeds, sunflowers and more weeds would be nice.=20

Back to the point, a couple of the catalogues have pre-planned,=20
perennial collections of 70-80 plants for about =A330. The plant=20
selections, while a bit basic, look to be fairly bullet proof good=20
performers. I'm considering the offering from Van Meuwen at =A332.97 for=20
81 plants (presumably at plug stage). I appreciate that it'll still be a=20
bit gappy for the next couple of years and I'll lose some stock that=20
won't get on with the soil/position/dog/slugs/toddler, but it does seem=20
a fairly good deal for getting the bed properly started.

Has anyone tried these deals?

Warwick