whoops, flowerbed becoming crowded....

dollparts

Rookie error I guess, I have been shortsighted in estimating just how much these little flowers grow:think:

The part of my flowerbed giving me concern has a mixture of African marigolds, viola, and busy lizzies (which are getting very busy!) Behind that little lot is the hollyhock which although is growing up it also growing out!

Admittedly I may not have paid full attention to spacing instructions but tbh, I wasn't optimistic any of it would take off.......not a very confident gardener I'm afraid.

So, I think within a week or so there is going to be some serious congestion. What is safe to move and thin out? I'm worried that if I disturb anything it will damage the survival of what is proving to be a really pretty flowerbed I am soooooo proud of.

Anybody know what I could do?

Kay_Peel

Leave it and just do a little tidying up. For instance when the hollyhock starts barging into the little bedding plants, simply cut off the bottom leaves so that you have a bare stalk letting in light and air around it.

Pinch back the Bizzy Lizzie. This will encourage it to get bushier rather than long and straggly.

Your violas should be very happy with some shading, so there's not much you need to do except dead-head them regularly.

The Marigolds will behave themselves and just need dead-heading too.

As soon as you see anything getting exhausted, cut it right back and you may be rewarded with a second flush of flowers in late July. Clear up any yellow or wilting leaves by pinching them off the base of the plants - this will stop any mildew or fungus getting a hold and ensure a good flow of circulating air.

You can, of course, lift the flowering plants carefully, taking a big chunck of the surrounding soil with them, and transplant them but frankly, I think a busy, crowded, colourful and lively bed is just wonderful. If the plants keep flowering and growing and that would be sign, to me, that they are alright and best left to their own devices.

:beer:

dollparts

Thanks Kay, that's all really good advice. I was reluctant to start moving things around as despite the possible overcrowding it looks so pretty and natural. The last thing I wanted was a uniform bed with order and symmetry so I really am rather pleased to hear that it wont do any serious harm.

I have had some new turf laid on the other side of my garden and have created another bed but I will plan that more for next spring/summer. I really like the cottage garden style and have been reading up on it loads.

I will keep pinching and deadheading in the meantime!

stumpycat

I have borders that look like jungles - I work on the principle that if you fill them up with plants, there's no room for the weeds... :rotfl:

dollparts

stumpycat, that explanation will also do me nicely!:rotfl:

savemoney

Its a favourite of mine having too many plants. In my eagerness to get garden nice I buy in bedding plants and grow some from seed and I always grow more than I need. Sometime end up moving plants around, getting more pots, giving some away or chucking some away usually the weakest ones

On top of that I take lots of cuttings have around 30 pots on the go at any one time

savingmummy

Oh better then bare beds! Like mine currently sitting empty
Would be great to see your flower bed, bet it is beautiful!!x

dollparts

savingmummy wrote: »

Oh better then bare beds! Like mine currently sitting empty
Would be great to see your flower bed, bet it is beautiful!!x

I'll post up some pics I took yesterday, I was going to do it last night but I chickened out because I bet compared to others, my garden will be naff!

savingmummy

dollparts wrote: »

I'll post up some pics I took yesterday, I was going to do it last night but I chickened out because I bet compared to others, my garden will be naff!

Aw noones gardens are naff!! Mine currently is lawn and 2 standard roses LOL! No flower in sight :rotfl:

Primrose

If things are looking really crowded by mid July, you should be able to keep them all flourishing by adding a top-up slow release fertiliser to the soil to prevent soil exhaustion. Chicken manure pellets are good for this as they will slowly dissolve with rain showers or watering.

newlywed

Primrose wrote: »

Chicken manure pellets are good for this as they will slowly dissolve with rain showers or watering.

But don't put too many out in one go if you plan to sit in the garden as they do whiff a bit !!! :rotfl: