Don’t Be Afraid to Take Chances When Planting up a Border

The plants mentioned in today’s video:
Griselinia,
Weigela,
Cherry laurel,
Portuguese laurel,
Yew,
Beech,
Hornbeam,
Buxus,
Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace',
Cotinus coggygria 'Dusky Maiden',
Viburnum tinus,
Pittosporum,
Rose 'Berkshire',
Rose 'Hertfordshire',
Choisya ternata 'Sundance',
Pieris 'Forest Flame',
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Red Angel',
Heucherella 'Sweet Tea',
Salvia 'Royal Bumble',
Miscanthus ,
Physocarpus,
Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant’,
Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm’,
Drimys lanceolata 'Red Spice',
Leucanthemum × superbum 'Snow Lady',
Anemone 'Honorine Jobert',
Euphorbia 'Tiny Tim'
Visit John's garden at Ratoath Garden Centre in Co. Meath, Ireland.
ratoathgardencentre.ie
Come and visit us, stroll around our gardens and be inspired.
/ ratoathgardencentre

[@pauljenkins8287]

I could watch this all day

[@wendychandler8304]

Now I've got to dig up, chuck out, re-hash and - dear Lord J., buy more plants. Slowly!

[@johnmainwaring6556]

I learn so much so quick from this guy. Guiness on me if we ever meet in a pub.

[@DMacDaddy]

Imagine the knowledge this man has in his brain. Knows every plant by name and where they should go, where they grow properly... I feel like you could sit for hours and listen to the man explain his garden like an architect his master blueprints... Awesome!

[@carmenbailey8209]

Well you are certainly entertaining, watching you change your mind, been there many times. I have a small front yard that’s all garden and my greatest rewards are when people say they walk by purposely just to see my garden. Totally satisfying, thanks for sharing your planning. 👍❤️😊

[@bluemoon3927]

Carmen your garden is a gift to the world 💛

[@1939panda]

Carmen Bailey

[@nancymencke6980]

From one aging hippie to another thank you so much

[@lully381]

Thanks for that I smiled all the way through it! I love your haphazard approach which clearly works so well. I think you have so many favourites it is hard to know which ones to put in and what to not and would be me too if I had such a selection to choose from. Once when I moved into a brand new build house the garden was just a blank canvas, we had little money so plants were bought a bit here and a bit there. On a visit to my husbands lovely uncle who was an amazing gardener he took me to his greenhouse and there was a green house full of plants he had been getting ready for us. He had been busy taking cuttings and splitting plants from his own garden. I came home with a car load it was like Christmas and I was like a dog with two tails. I have since moved again and dear Old Uncle John now sadly passed away but I still have some of his plants I brought with me in cuttings. I managed to take a small bit of his Mock Orange plant from his garden when we cleared his house out after he died and delighted to say the cutting took and it flowered for the first time this year. I also took a huge Camellia he had in a pot which is beautiful so I still have some of his garden still in my garden. His enthusiasm for gardening always inspired me the same way that your enthusiasm springs out from the screen when you are showing us all your plants and how to plant etc. Thanks for the smile today, wishing you a Happy Sunday.

[@nancybennett9265]

Sometimes I think everything in my garden has been in the wheelbarrow at least twice! I'm always moving plants around. I enjoy seeing how you think!

[@jessicabradshaw3365]

Nancy Bennett Me too!!! But every time it moves looks better

[@lully381]

I once had a Christmas tree about a 1ft tall that started life in a pot from the supermarket. I planted it and it took well but as the garden changed I must have moved that tree at least 5 or 6 times. When I left that house the tree was about 10ft tall and I loved it but a bit too big to dig up and take with me!

[@jeffreymorris9776]

Thanks for making all of your brilliant videos, John. I always look forward to them. 👍

[@abeckwith6561]

Always fun watching you work! Regards, from Maine.

[@marieburton6127]

It’s like watching my Adhd brain at work.......you’re a master at thinking quick on your feet.

[@garethcumming667]

This man is brilliant..Hard Core info..I have said this before.. "Gardener's World" drip feeds useful info.. You learn more from John in a single You Tube post than in a full series of GW..

[@clairemacca6941]

Great informative video! Love how you laid out the border and talked about spacing etc. Would really love to see the same thing done with a semi shady border.

[@shadeva28]

You are sooo right. I'm sooo impatient, its funny. Great vid!

[@audreysweeney5338]

Thank you so much for your help.

[@janclark1894]

Thank you Mr Lord I'm saving this for when I move house so very interesting and helpful as always 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@janejohnson6411]

Now I don't feel so bad about moving plants around until I get to a point where I feel that everything looks good.

[@lubybel3221]

Thank you for a new video ... I love seeing you show how difficult it is to plan a new border ... you have a wealth of knowledge and I thank you for sharing it ...

[@mn4169]

One can follow the process in head in words. Both entertaining and helpful at the same time.

[@alisonburgess345]

I’d make a hedge out of the Viburnum tinus, John. You’re right - people (me too, of course), often underestimate the final size of plants. You have to be very firm about it. Very nice vid - enjoyed that. PS - that red hydrangea is incredible - never seen anything like it!

[@RLSCS]

FlowerGrower Smith , I'm always underestimating the mature size of plants. I tend to pack everything in because I want instant impact then I have to move things around as they grow bigger.

[@laurenb6451]

I find that plants grow to different sizes in different gardens so you can never be so sure.

[@francefournier1118]

Thank you John for this great video,

[@SandyKH]

Thanks John, this was informative. I am jealous that you can try so many different plants when you are trying to figure things out. Most of us don't have that. On the other hand, I'm not sure I could ever decide if I had so many choices! Sometimes it is a burden to know as much as you do! Nonetheless, in gardening, mistakes are seldom fatal, and it's time to go out and do, rather than just ponder.

[@nataliedodson1637]

BRILLIANT BRILLIANT BRILLIANT I learnt so much as ever. I've missed John's videos he makes me laugh and loud whilst teaching me. Also thanks to the camera and editing person as well. Take care Natalie 😀

[@luckysmummy5325]

That was brilliant, thanks John.

[@outdoors459]

Great demonstration of a gardening mind. Interesting to watch, thank you

[@76adrienne]

I am so happy I found your channel and garden! I’m just sad I didn’t find it sooner! Beautiful! You are full of information ! ❤️

[@globalgardener6561]

Subscribed. What a great channel. It’s good to know that even the pro’s live with some uncertainty when planning a feature! Lots of useful info and very entertaining...and the next time I’m in Co. Meath I’ll be sure to drop in. Thanks a lot...

[@carolrose4784]

You make it look easy! Wish I had your help here.

[@kommissareetheisraelitegar6153]

I'm a second year gardener, I've watched and appreciated all your videos & love this channel! Thank you for the knowledge, information, & tips!

[@josephmccole4132]

Love your videos John.

[@carolrose4784]

You’ve given me hope that eventually I can put together a wonderful garden. I only wish I could see it mature. Thanks I enjoy your videos!

[@julieh7009]

Great info!! Thanks!

[@alisonburgess345]

The north/south facing discussion sounds weird cos it's the other way round in Australia. North facing gardens: highly desirable - south facing garden: problematic! I'm about to attempt a eucalyptus hedge using my own seed raised young trees - wish me luck.. Great video John.

[@RLSCS]

@ 18:20 💚 Thank you!

[@Foley4]

oh boy, I love this man lol Thanks John, I will be sharing in all my garden groups

[@michelleb6071]

OMG John where have you been all my life? 😍 After the Rona come visit me in Texas and help me with my backyard please. lol That would be a dream come true.🙏🏽 I have so many questions. John, I must know, what is the gorgeous tree behind the white toetoe grass? It speaks to me. It has the most gorgeous pinks, yellows, orange blends I have ever seen and it dances so beautifully behind the white grass. I'm in love.❤ I must have it. Please help me? I'm begging. lol You are amazing! So happy I found your channel. You add new joy to my life. 🤗 You are an 😇

[@sharonsteele618]

Thank you. Seeing you work this through makes me feel more comfortable with my own garden decisions. I love to see you just move plants around. I thought I did that because I really didn't know what I was doing but I live changing things.

[@TamiGoldmann]

You remind me of my uncle on a creative burst. Bravo!

[@garethcumming667]

Please can you do a template for a North facing border John?

[@kristinregine4798]

I am absolute thrilled with your introducing speech! Love it!

[@bargainboymakem1]

Congratz on 10k subscribers! Can't understand why it's not 100k to be honest.

[@TheGeorgiaMediaGroup]

John. U are fantastic

[@eppityrrell8236]

Better than telly 😊

[@Gigi-fv9ky]

Loved the demo!

[@margueriteocarroll9532]

Great video, can I just suggest planting the smaller plants in groups of three, instead of the two. I always think the odd numbers look better together. Love the way you constantly change your mind... lucky you though, you have the plants on hand to be able to do it 😄🤗

[@kathleensmith644]

How is it that when I plant a border the plants I have left over and that I just plant in a part of the garden I’m not too bothered about always end up being the most interesting and attractive?

[@hasmukhpatel7972]

Thanks

[@jeanninemorgan3526]

Loved this video as I am working on creating a garden bed right now, but with all the in and out of the plants, how long does it take you to actually plant a new bed? Weeks/months/years🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Please keep making your videos. You are so practical in your advice!

[@jenniewilliams1668]

I'm slowly loving John more and more - I want to visit merry olde England BUT - maybe I should visit Ireland instead? What I'd love to do is to walk from the furthest West point of Ireland to the boat that goes to Liverpool. We'll see, we'll see. Warmest regards Jennie

[@noracoolen2167]

Thanks for the info

[@josanders1428]

I love it.

[@hobbitlady7568]

This is my personal design philosophy- choose purple or red FIRST. Before you buy or plant randomly, choose between those colors and make either one your theme. This is what really has helped me when it comes to effortlessly blending bloom colors because otherwise for me it’s very hard to have the yellows oranges and blushes when you have both red and purple in your garden. So when I moved in there was lots of dark purple salvia Caradonna so I move that out and decided to go red as my theme, so that red was my base as an everything should be able to blend with burgundy and red and when it’s come down to it it’s worked orange is OK like butterfly weed some yellow is OK but not too much peach blush pink dark red bright red all of these things can blend and go nicely when done right and I’ve even added a secondary color that is I only use pale purple when I have a choice and never dark purple. Because with the red very pale purple is OK and the contrast is fine but the dark purple sort of throws off my whole theme of reds, blush, pink, cream etc.

[@RaggiBoy1]

What are those tall grass like flowers you are holding in the intro, (with your bright purple tshirt on) they are amazing.

[@buttercreampainter8443]

I enjoyed the heck out of watching this, but I am very confused, lol.

[@SkippyTheRedKangaroo]

The best thing you can do with pallets is burn them. They have kept my house warm for 20 years.

[@thafathassirem232]

I like your garden .i like what you are doing.i like your flowers they are so bautiful .i wech i will have some plants like your.s .ecxcuse my english i am not very good .i am from algeria in south of africa.thank a lot

[@bargainboymakem1]

Marvellous. Been too long since your last post Mr Lord. Do you shut down till early next Spring like Gardeners World? I hope not. I need my fix.

[@lully381]

Oh yes I would be lost without my fix too, he is my go to when I need to feel calm and get ideas.

[@grahamthomas6283]

What your thoughts on beachgrove only showing 14 out of 26 programs next year not right !!!!!!

[@Gigi-fv9ky]

@@grahamthomas6283 l agree! Huge disappointment what happened with Beechgrove this summer! Hope they don't do the same next year.

[@josanders1428]

I don’t have the money to buy so many plants to play with. Wish I did.

[@pozzee2809]

Please do more like these and then name what you would have eventually left. 🇨🇦 Lower Mainland BC

[@vins6036]

Good episode for insomniac.😁

[@GardenLawncareGuy]

Pampus grasses looking great, I have selloana variety and the plumes on mine look more brownish and seed like compared to yours that look whiter and feather like. Any idea why?

[@pansepot1490]

I think selloana is the species not a variety. I had one like you describe but there are varieties (I have seen them in other gardens) which have more decorative silvery white plumes and even pinkish ones. They are not as bright pink as in the photo when they try to sell it to you but they have a pink tinge especially when compared with the traditional ones.

[@GardenLawncareGuy]

@@pansepot1490 yeah you are right, the variety I have is 'Pumilla' which is more compact than traditional but does have a more pink/brownish tone

[@verawallace9055]

Gracefully fading away, nice way to put it ☹

[@josephinebrevig8748]

There's no such thing as mistakes...just learning points. If it doesn't look right, you could always re-position/re-plant them i suppose..right?

[@AlexMercadoGo]

We need to get him a lapel mic. He's all over the place, and we can't keep up with him!

[@Rougebasque]

Hello John, would the Sundance Choisya be happy in full shade? Thank you

[@VeggieBackGarden]

Such an informative video - thoroughly enjoyed it. The presenting skills of a heroin addict - but I like that also 😂 I will keep the information shown in mind - it's probably the best info I've looked at on youtube when it comes to border planting. Cheers .......... Kevin.

[@convinth]

Would you really plant a laurel bang next to the fence? Surely, you need to bring it out a few feet to let it grow more naturally?.

[@davidbeck1696]

What Miscanthus was that please.

[@audreysweeney5338]

What if I don't put a hedge?

[@benneb663]

Next video....how to dig up replant your pretend garden. Imagine if you just had potted plants! Then you wouldn’t have to dig to rearrange! I’m just goofin. Teddy!

[@Rodoriginal101]

9:19 what variety of pittosporum is it? I googled "pittosporum" and found nothing that looks vaguely similar. Cheers.

[@Gigi-fv9ky]

I was wondering which one, too. Looked nothing like the pitts I grew up with. Wondering if it has the same amazing orange blossom scent? The deer keep eating mine and they don't bloom and I miss that scent.

[@johnlordssecretgarden]

That's Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Magic'.Thanks for watching!

[@Rodoriginal101]

@@johnlordssecretgarden Thank you! I always learn some new plants from you.

[@warmgreenshade1210]

:)

[@grumpyschnauzer]

What sort of plants need no-work? 😂

[@carefreedelight2355]

Thanks - but unlike you, I have to do it all in my mind and that means colour, size, ( height and width)contrast, evergreen/ soil/ shade etc.,::the effect can be paralysing, and usually sends me into dreaming not doing my garden, or watching you, Lord!