choosing perennials for a design

by KW
(Langley, BC, Canada)

I have a very long, narrow flower border (30ftlong by 3ft deep). It is backed by a 6' fence. It gets good sun most of the day, except for one end which has light shade. There's one camellia (at one end), 2 peonies, one climbing rose (white) which is just getting established midway along the fence, and one lavender (in front of the rose). I have been given an assortment of lilies, but I really need some advice on what perennials to choose which will look pleasing together and fill up this narrow space. I love the cottage garden look with lots of colour and charm and very little empty space. I would appreciate any suggestions you can make.

Doug says that it is *really* hard to design and suggest perennials over the Net. Let's be frank here - I love 'em all. I've barely met a hardy perennial I don't like. I've written about cottage gardening and cottage garden design as a serendipitous garden event. You can find those articles, free ebooks and other design tips right here.

Your own perennial garden is all about you. It's all about your favorite plants (not mine). It's a grand adventure in picking and placing plants and then moving them about because you want them in different places.

There are some articles about basic beginner perennials right here that might help you with your first choices. Scroll down the page to see the plant suggestions.