Calwest Orchid Supplies

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can you advise a leafy plant to fill out a cottage garden to bulk out with perennials?

I have a cottage garden with plenty of trees and shrubs and roses and perennials but need a a foliage plant to tie the garden together and make it more lush and complete.I also need tough plants to plant under giant lillypilly trees at the back fence as underneath is bare and spoils the look of the garden.It is a very dry spot.

If it is very dry you are not going to be successful with ajugas and annuals.

Cotinus is a good choice for a large shrub 2 to 3 metres, but not suitable if you want a small plant.

If you want a plant about 1/2 to 1 metre high go for acanthus mollis (oyster plant) or believe it or not artichokes. Both are large leafed and put up with drought, poor soil etc. I had artichokes growing in my front beds and people where really impressed they thought they were a rare plant, and all wanted cuttings (massive gray architectural leaves).

If you have 1/2 day sun any of the artemisias (wormwoods) would suit. There is also tough old Senico cineraria tough in this situation and gives a nice grey appearance.

There is a new miniature bottlebrush (callistemon), called ‘great balls of fire’. Has hot pink new growth (not grown for the flower). this may suit.

Spindle bushes will put up with drought and competition, Euronymus – the yellow variegated ones might suit your colouring.

If you want a groundcover under the lillipillies try and pick a native so it can compete with them. if you have the sun prostrate Grevilleas such as Gaudii Chardii are good. natives usually don’t like too much shade.

Perhaps liriopes may suit or if very shadey mondo grass. Lambs ear (stachys) don’t care how much sun they get and are drought hardy.