What can I plant...

I got a few packs of seeds with an offer, and I'm wondering if any of these would be suitable for growing with the apple trees?

Nasturtium

Cineraria

Brachycome

Bidens

Nemesia

Hopefully I've spelt all the names right!

Well, I think they are all annuals (although each one might have wide varieties depending on the specific one) so they will tend to enjoy sunshine (good for the apples) and will have relatively shallow roots (also good as less competition with the apple tree roots) so I think they could make a lovely and colourful show.

And if you really like any, try and collect your own seeds for next year, and if you don't, you won't have spent too much!

DM

Thanks DM!  I've got myself two propergators to grow the seeds in (on sale in the garden centre!) so I'll get to work on those since some can be sown now, the others are sow feburary or March - though could I just sow the Feburary ones now?  Feburary is only a week away afterall lol  I've got an area set up in the reptile room for them as that has the most constant temperature out of everywhere in the house and it is sitting at about the right temperature.

KatTai said:

I'm going to get some larger tubs for my apple trees (IF they have survived my complete lack of care over the winter, but they survived the same treatment last year) as they need repotting and as I'm planning on those big barrel type things I would like to plant something to grow around them.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to what would be suitable?  Must be good for wildlife and look pretty or attract pretty things like butterflies :-)

 Hi busy lizzies, or any of the alpines, also pansies, apple trees unlike plum, or pear, the bark is fairly nutral, so will not kill other plants, hope this help, KK

Thanks for the info Kitkat :-)  Didn't even know plums and pears had bark that killed other plants!  Learn something new everyday!

If you're sowing them indoors that should be fine, just don't put them outside before you are absolutely sure frosts have gone, so depending on where you live, that might even be May. That's the drawback with sowing them early is looking after them so they don't get too soft for being indoors for too long. I'm always doing things too early 'cos of impatience (I love watching things grow) and then regrest my impetuousness!

If you live somwhere mild, you may be okay...:)

DM

Hmmm might not be good then because I'm in Scotland lol  Saying that we tend to be out of the worst of the weather where I am.  I'm pretty much in the same boat as you though - I am VERY impatient when it comes to things like plants!  I want them full size and ready to be planted out there and then lol  I've got plenty of bubble wrap so I can always tuck them in if it turns cold :-)

Don't worry about going on Kitkat it is all very informative! :-)

I have some seeds potted up, will do more at the end of next month and hopefully I will have pots filled with flowers in the spring! :-)

KatTai said:

I'm going to get some larger tubs for my apple trees (IF they have survived my complete lack of care over the winter, but they survived the same treatment last year) as they need repotting and as I'm planning on those big barrel type things I would like to plant something to grow around them.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to what would be suitable?  Must be good for wildlife and look pretty or attract pretty things like butterflies :-)

Just posted this reply on another thread might be of some interest??

Recommending plants is quite dependant on the size of your garden so without knowing the exact size it's difficult to say....

I am fortunate to have a large garden so can grow a good variety of different size plants. From my humble experience these are the plants which have worked well for me when trying to attract bees and butterflies....

• Sedum,
• Buddleja (small tree if kept pruned)
• Verbena boneriensis or any other verbena (I particularly like the big bushy varieties which flower all summer), 
• Lilac (small tree again)
• Lavender (plant in a nice sunny spot near to where you sit as it smells lovely)
• Aster
• Scabious / field scabious
• Wall flower
• Corn flower
• Hebe
• Rudbeckia (I love this as it's bright yellow and I plant it mixed in with pink verbena for a riot of colour which really shouldn't work! I have found that this combination is also great for bees and butterflies for some reason)

Just a small selection of my favourites, also remember to keep an area a bit untidy with some stinging nettles if you can as the butterflies will lay their eggs on them (if your garden is small maybe a 'controlled' patch of stingers under the hedge?

Here's a picture of my 'colourful' butterfly border from last year which was planted in the spring!....

I also found Dahlias really good for butterflies but you have to protect them from the slugs!....I planted mine in an old wheelbarrow which I found under my hedge!....a possible idea for a small garden....

I hope this gives you some ideas?

Cheers

Higgy

Higgy

http://higgysgardenproject.blogspot.com/