Garden Gaps? Let’s Fill Them!
By Cheryl Farley
Now that the garden is filling in nicely, bare spots can stand out like sore thumbs. Since planting perennials and even annuals can continue through September, it’s not too late to fill those gaps.
Back border woes can be comforted with numerous plants. Have a fence or a bare wall drawing attention to itself? Plant some Clematis or an annual vine like Morning Glory to climb gently up the side and along the top – add some wire or string for it grab onto to until it is established – or lean an old garden rake or hoe against the surface for interest and support. For a bigger area, a climbing shrub vine like Hydrangea can latch onto the structure and fill and soften an annoying space with graceful beauty. Trumpet Vine will add a bit of nostalgia and attract hummingbirds. A cheerful plant that works well in a sunny back border, that will fill a bare space nicely is tall flowering Phlox. “David” is a great disease resistant white variety that will cheer up any garden bed. Phlox also come in an array of purples and pinks. For something more billowy, try perennial Helianthus (sunflower). “Lemon Queen” has small dainty daisy-like flowers, sway in the breeze, stay upright and attract pollinators from August to November. They need a larger area and will spread, so be careful when planting this one. For that shady spot in the back border, fill it with fluffy Aruncus dioicus (Goat’s Beard). Their foliage ranges from greens to dark purples to almost black and they flower in lovely feathery, creamy plumes. Real head-turners!
Front border blues? Cure them with some carefree annuals like Verbena, Daisy, Marigolds, Petunias which all stay relatively low and will add instant and long-lasting color to the front border. Look for varieties that require little or no deadheading. A perennial option is low to medium height Sedums. They have lovely succulent-like foliage in a variety of glossy shades of greens and reds that can add visual variety and interest. Their delicate blossoms are an added bonus, many which last into the fall and then dry in place to add interest to the bare winter scape. “Autumn Joy” is a classic. Shady spots can be handled with Hosta or lower height Astilbes. Anemones have different bloom times from spring to fall, and their delicate foliage and sweet blossoms are great for sunny or partly shaded areas.
The mid-garden crisis can be handled easily with cosmos, day lilies, or any plant as long as they suit the space and conditions. Read those tags! It is a good time for some instant gratification by wandering around the garden center. Some plants may even be on sale! Impulse buys are allowed!
When planting, add a little compost or manure to give the soil a boost and remember to water until the plants are established. If spring bulb foliage is yellowing, it is now ok to cut them down and mix into the soil or the compost pile. If they are still green and blocking the view to other plants, gently fold or braid them and tuck them into the soil. The bulbs receive nutrients from the foliage to ensure reblooming next spring – so don’t cut them down too early.
Be sure to take photos as the garden grows and matures. These can be used as reference for the following year. During those cold winter months they are fun to look back on when anticipating the coming season.
Happy Summer!
