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Posted by Martin (U14597231) on Sunday, 29th August 2010
I have planted a "prairie" area - rudbekias, sneezeworts, echinacea etc ( mainly grown for seed this year) mixed with miscanthus and stipea.
I would like spring colour in the same area. Will it be ok to plant bulbs amongst the perrenials?
Are there things I should do?
Yes, you can plant almost any bulb in there. Alliums do well.
Have to confess that I am in the process of removing our Prairie style garden altogether. I found it was just far far too labour intensive for us. Remember that if you make an area for grasses then ALL grasses like it. We have spent more time trying to keep Couch and creeping Fesue out than enjoying the plants. Even the so called ornamental grasses have become a dratted nuisance, Zebra grass.grrrrrrrrrrrr.
Hope your is better than ours was.
We have a 'managed' prairie-ish area, basically it's a large herbaceous border with lots of late flowering hardy perennials and ornamental grasses. The plants are in groups or drifts rather than fully intermingled so we can keep on top of weeds better.
In early spring we grow swathes of tulips amongst the grasses which decorate the early clumps of foliage and then Allium Purple Sensation for May. I think crocuses and narcissi would look wrong, somehow. Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus looks good as it's a bit grassy. Dieramas work well too.
So do Camassias which are true Prairie bulbs.
What about Eremurus too. I got my few to flower this year and was surprised how robust they are in spite of their height. I must get some more in this autumn.
I second the motion for Alliums.
We have some Eremurus in the widest part of the borders. This is partly because of their sheer height and partly to hide the unsightly dying foliage. Must have excellent drainage.
, in reply to message 2.
Posted by mister-grow-it-all (U14591945) on Monday, 30th August 2010
hi i think purple Alliums would look good too, nice with brown grass seed heads
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