My neighbour next door asked for my assistance with planning out a new garden area in the back of their property.  From dividing up some of my perennials, I was able to provide them with some surplus plants to help them get started.   So far in the mid border area we have arranged a group of iris, shasta daisy and coreopsis.  The lower growing fall aster has been placed in a group in front and then along the edge we have started to plant a variety of stonecrop/sedums.   The bed forms part of a bank so the backdrop is an array of native plants, shrubs and trees.  In the shadier part of the bed we have planted some of my surplus violets and this would be a good place to plant hostas, bleeding hearts (dicentra) and perhaps a solomon’s seal (Jacob’s Ladder), not forgetting primroses and pansies.  In the sunnier area, it would be a perfect place for lavender, ornamental grasses and perhaps some Russian sage.  To finish off, later it would be great to plant some spring blooming bulbs as long as the area is protected from the deer. I have also suggested to the owner to plant a few interesting flowering shrubs for contrast and perhaps a small feature tree.

My neighbour has since started a rock wall along the back of the border to prevent the forest behind invading.

While in my neighbour’s garden, I could not help but notice the rose/pink double blossoms of the Hawthorn trees. They are such a beautiful addition to their front garden. The hanging baskets which I planted for them are slowly filling in and I am always intrigued how the colours have turned out, in particular, there was an unusual petunia which has a combination of orange and yellow flowers.