I planted Ray’s raised bed (still love the alliteration..) in early May and I have just been to photograph the site again today. I cannot believe how much everything has grown. Well, actually what has grown the most are the Tropaeolum (Nasturtiums). I only planted them as space fillers whilst the other plants became established in their new bed. I hadn’t realised how happily they would keep on growing! I think the photograph below illustrates the plant’s will to outgrow its plant companions.

Passers by comment on their vivid orange flowers and it is lovely feedback for me.. but I feel compelled to say that these showgirl flowers aren’t the intended jewels in the crown, but are merely there to play a supporting role whilst the star performers grow themselves up. For they are on their way and the combinations of colour and tone is this scheme will rightly pull focus.

Some of the plants in this planting scheme weren’t available at the time of design so I had to make substitutions and due to Dianthus chinensis heddwigii ‘Victoriana’ being unavailable, I grew them from seed myself. The young plants looked healthy and strong enough to be placed into their positions this week and over the next few weeks will look lovely and smell delicious with their flowering scent of cloves.

The plants
Dianthus chinensis heddwigii ‘Victoriana’
Centaurea cyanus ‘Black Ball’ is a substitute plant (grown at JtG HQ)
Epimedium x rubrum
Osteospermum ‘Nuanza Copper Purple’
Tropaeolum (Nasturtiums)
Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’

If you would like to talk with me about a new planting scheme in your garden, please do feel free to get in touch, my email is judi@judithegardener.co.uk. For gardening maintenance enquiries (North-East London, Essex, Hertfordshire and Enfield) please telephone 07818 005773. Always happy to answer gardening questions if I can or steer you towards resources. Happy gardening!