I need some ideas for my perennel flower garden

[shellshockedlady]

Hi Everyone,

I am a new gardener. This one is my first. I’ve had it for three years. I need help in design. I think I have too much variety. This year I planted a perennial wild flower seed mix and it’s truly a wild garden.

I wanted to redo the whole garden this year but I just don’t know how to start. I want to get rid of some plants and keep others but don’t know what to do with them after I dig them up and before I replant them in the ground.

Now I see how difficult it is to plan a good garden and it’s obviously I don’t know what I’m doing, like I said, I have so many different plants; it's much to busy, which makes it uninteresting. My garden is small and is in two layers. The bottom layer is larger than the top.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Oh, you may need to know that my garden gets full morning sun and isn’t in shadow until around three in the afternoon. The soil here is sandy; I live on a barrier island along the coast of the Atlantic in South Jersey so the air can sometimes be very wet with dew. Plants have been growing well in my garden from the beginning but I did add some black soil and humas to it this year. Again, all the plants are doing well...it's the design that is lacking.

Thanks,
Denise

[Janie2004]

Hi Denise.
How nice to get your e-mail and picture of your lovely garden.

Sometimes this site seems like there are such a few amount of people posting...I wish more would get an ID and join in the fun of writing messages and giving ideas and advice!

I sent you an email note back...It is ironic that you and I both lost sons at the age of 18....I think, for me, this nurturing of flowers, was something I needed for my emotional well-being.

It truly has helped me tremendously, to watch the plants turn to beautiful flowers! And in the Spring especially, I watch for the first signs of green.
I thank God, that HE gave me this love of flowers; it is more than just a hobby for me...it is a PASSION!

Love, Janie :D

[shellshockedlady]

Dear Janie,

So far, I'm happy with this site as it's the first one I've posted on where I received a reply...and of course, that was from you!

It would be nice to hear from others too, but we shall see. I will write you again, personally, to comment on the other things we discussed. I have dedicated my garden to my son with a small memorial plaque. I'll send you a picture...I love digital cameras!

Bye for now,
Denise

[Janie2004]

Dear Denise.
I will e-mail you later...I have been crying and crying since reading the story of your son...My oh my, bless your precious heart.

Would you mind sharing it here? If you wouldn't mind, I would copy and paste it and post it here...I think it would be a blessing to others, when they read your heartache and how you are getting involved with your flowers to help you cope.

Maybe someone would have words of comfort that would help you.
I just don't know what to say...your sorrow is greater than mine....it just breaks my heart what you had to endure for all those years.

Sincerely, Janie

[mla2ofus]

I have a shade garden that is an absolute mess. :oops: I've rearranged it 3 times and it still looked bad. Too many plants and no balance. I finally asked for help on another forum and a kind soul :) finally pointed out my problem. He told me to try to balance out the bed. The back corners should have either 3 plants,or 1 large one so that they balance each other. If they are rounded plants then put some up right ones next to them. Try to keep it balanced, not identical plants but ones that have the same mass effect. Work your way forward trying to vary leaf textures and colors. You may want to make a second bed so you can put the ones that "don't fit" in it. Maybe making one a pastel bed and another a hot or warm colored bed. Think of the colors your son liked and go with those. I hope I helped you as much as I've been helped. It doesn't hurt to move your flowers around. Mine probably think they need wheels! :lol:

[mla2ofus]

When you are transplanting just make sure the roots are moist and set them in the shade if your going to get them back in the ground the same day. If it takes longer, cover the roots with wet newspaper. It may help if you draw out a plan so you know where what is going to be planted.

[shellshockedlady]

Dear mcalpin1,

Thank you very much for your response :), I had almost forgotten that I posted the question since no one but you responded.

I will take your advice, it's seems logical and if it worked for you I can't see why it wouldn't work for me. My garden is a full sun garden and it sounds like your old garden...a real mess. It has lots of wonderful flowers but no order....they are wild and look out of control :?.

Also, thanks for letting know what to do with the plants that I have to dig up while redoing my garden. I was really worried about that...I have hundreds of dollars invested in those plants. So, again, thank you for being so kind and passing along your knowledge.

Denise :P