border plants and seeds

[joysie21]

I have just watched monty dom garden programmes on the TV Fridays the chap in london had a lovely garden as mine is so bare I would like to grow plants round my pond which is only a foot in depth as they never state what plants they grow

Can I throw seeds all over the borders as I have lots of packets also when is the best time of year ??

I have a bag of peat can I add that to my soil

Sorry for all the questions but I do need more advice please

[SueA]

I was envying those gardens too joysie21, the smaller one in London was great wasn't it as you couldn't see any boundaries (or the neighbours!) because of all the planting but it's probably taken him a few years to get it like that & he did have a lot of 'tropical' style plants which will die down & maybe need some protection in winter although London does have it's own microclimate. You could try putting some 'marginal' plants in your pond if you haven't already got any & maybe a miniature waterlily in it, water iris, marsh marigold etc. would work, I have lots of primula japonicas, irises , white & purple loosestrife & arum lilies planted around our pond, lots of them die down in winter but always come back. You could try sprinkling some seeds around your borders now if you've got some hardy annual types such as poppies, foxgloves, calendulas etc. or wait until spring for tender ones & I always think bulbs like daffs & crocus are good value as they come up every year & you can put them in the ground/pots in a couple of months time ready for next spring.

[joysie21]

Sue just seen your suggestions I have a small water lilly in the pond that never flowers
Ive just bought some creeping flox to cover the soil in the borders which Ive had to put ib a tub as they are so small I will sprinkle seeds round the borders I get some free from the magazine answere magazine

Thank you joyce