Two Ways to Add Mass Plantings Without Breaking the Bank

Use these plants en masse to produce a bold display

Look no further than the theater if you want to add some real impact to your perennial or flower garden . After all , a garden is essentially a survive phase , so why do n’t we apply some of the same principles used by set room decorator and those scaffolding plant life exhibit at flower appearance ? Their biggest mystery ? Multiples and mass planting of a exclusive variety in a single color will always impress .

I know , I know — we’ve all pick up these tips before : “ Plant in impetus , ” and “ Multiples of three or five are best . ” But not only do few of us practice these so - called rules when at the garden center — when everything is tempt us — but many landscape designers know that it ’s not really about threes and five at all , but more like ten-spot and twenties , or more . The problem is , who has a budget to do that ?

Two Ideas to More Easily Afford Mass Plantings

you’re able to start with one perennial and , through the power ofannual air division , finish up with the desired expression in just a few age . Still , there are crosscut to achieving the same impression .

Idea 1:Use more affordableannualsplanted in significant quantities.

conceive of 25 or 30 snapdragon ( Antirrhinummajus , Zones 7–10 ) plant in a single , bold purport , compare to a measly display make with the oft - commend three or five plant life . OK , maybe it ’s a half - twelve plants if you bought a six - pack . Either path , the want of impact not only will be apparent , but it could almost be a waste of money , or at the very least , a escape chance .

In summertime , if you raise your own yearly from seed , the effect is even easier to reach with dozens and scores of cosmos ( Cosmosbipinnatuscvs . , one-year ) , marigolds ( Tagetesspp . and cvs . , one-year ) , or zinnias ( Zinniaeleganscvs . , annual ) . These annuals are all low-priced and easily provoke from seed through sowing in out-of-door flat in late spring or other summertime .

Idea 2: Use affordablespringorsummer bulbs, which also tend to be on the cheap side, as mass plantings.

In springtime , tulip ( Tulipaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 ) and otherspring - blooming bulbsare a natural choice for planting in multiples , and we ’ve all seen the remainder between 10 tulip plant together versus 50 or 100 .

Summer - blooming bulbs are even more of a bargain , as they return and often multiply with each consecutive year . genuine lily ( Liliumspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) are champion performers in this way , as most increase in number over time , and they are astonishingly affordable . think this : A dozen or even two dozen lily bulbs cost about the same as a single rhododendron ( Rhododendronspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) or one of the newerhydrangeas(Hydrangeaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) in a 5 - gallon pot . Yet when planted together in a monolithic grouping of say , thirty ? No hydrangea can compete with that display !

While not every industrial plant in the garden call for to be , or even should be , planted in multiple ( some plant are tumid or act better asfocal points ) , a few larger shows schedule throughout the horticulture season can fit within anyone ’s budget .

For more design pourboire on planting in multiples , check up on out :

— Matt Mattus is the author of two Holy Scripture : Mastering the Art of Flower GardeningandMastering the Art of Vegetable Gardening . He gardens in Worcester , Massachusetts .

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foxgloves in a mass planting