Planting in the context of others

Wednesday 14th
Weather: Initially overcast & cold, but the sun soon came out & it was a basking warm golden glow for the rest of the day.

We methodically continuing working through the Long Border again. We cut down some Helenium 'Rivington Beauty', splitted them into smaller clumps and replanted them, but moving them further forward so that they can get to the sun better. We readjusted some Helenium 'Sahin's Early Flowerer' that we planted in last week - they can grow up to four times their size and we wanted to ensure they would definitely have enough room and not be shaded out or encroach on any plants that would mind.

Before we replanted the heleniums we reworked the beds, digging in a load of mushroom manure, mixing it in 3-4 times with a fork, as this border is more thirsty. Inevitably we would dig up tulips from different epoch of times (there are always traces from different bedding of yore) and would replant these after. In the initial section we also positioned and planted some purple Hesperis matronalis. All the time we are consulting with Fergus at every step, for example to check if the spacing or positions are right. I learnt a lot about considering the growth of the plants in context of others.

A miscanthus nearby (I will find out which soon!) the different strands of colour seems to get richer as winter goes on.