16 May '04 5:33 am I am having to redesign my side yard due to construction near my home. Right now I have a bed that is half the size of the new bed I am making. It is filled with purple agapanthus. Beautiful in bloom and out. I love the mass of them but they will now line the entire length of my home. I need some suggestions of what I could plant with the agapanthus. Should they be close to the house with something lower to the ground planted in front or should I plant them on the border with something larger planted behind them? There is only one low window on that side of the house and there is a large rose bush centered. My yard favors a free form, flowing style. I have no hedges or squared off bushes.
I will now have a fairly large lawn on that side of the house so I want to be sure my border does not get lost in the mass of lawn area. I am just having trouble imagining what will look good with the broad leafed agapanthus. Help.
Thanks to anyone who has a suggestion!
moosey
head gardener
17 May '04 3:05 pm I have two vague suggestions - choose something with a different shaped leaf - or even something variegated cream and green, so the Agapanthus leaves will be able to contrast nicely. What about their roots? After some years the Agapanthus root mass might take up the whole garden bed!
And beware - my New Zealand friends will probably tell you to plant New Zealand natives like pittosporums! They're very biased!
Happy gardening, and good luck with your new plans.
pumpkin
compost executive
Auckland
22 May '04 6:39 pm I have another vague suggestion , something like upright conifers (Cupressus sempervirens) at the back and some more standard roses midway with the aggies being left to fill the gaps.
Anything you plant that is smaller than the aggies will almost certainly get smothered by those fabulous green strap leaves.
I must confess to only ever being tempted to plant one or two pittosporums......they don't do too much for me in the garden scene
, something like upright conifers (Cupressus sempervirens) at the back and some more standard roses midway with the aggies being left to fill the gaps.
