Need new plant ideas- garden looks sparse

I planted a new kidney-shaped garden in my narrow backyard. I couldn't extend it to the alley because of the underground lines.

I spaced out the plants according to design, but the garden looks empty. The bareoot tree (american redbud) I bought is small but grows up to 25 feet high . The butterfly bushes can also grow up to 8 feet high and wide. The Indian Hawthorne is on the left (Rosalinda) and there are eunonymus on the right. There are small plants that I bought at Michigan bulb that are so small you cannot see them. I regret it now, because it will take more than a season for them to even be seen.

Any ideas to how I can make the garden look fuller without breaking the budget and accomodate the space needed for the main plants?

You can always plant some annuals for the next year or two--they can fill in and give you color while you're waiting for your other plants to fill in, but since they only last for a year you can just stop planting them when you think your other plants have filled in enough.

I would just go to your local garden center and buy whatever is cheap. Those butterfly bushes will grow very fast. We have them at church. I am going to cut them down because they take to much care.

breathehope, I am sorry that I seemed to be putting down your bushes. I was running late to pick up my grandson. I should not have posted without finishing my post. My point was supposed to be that they grow very fast so you want need much to feel in with. The ones at church seem to grow overnight. They are amazing at how fast they shoot up and out. There are 3 very large ones beside our church and about 6 behind the church. I am the only one that works in the flower beds there and it is just too much with all the other plants. I wish you much luck with yours.

The butterfly bushes are deep purple (guinevere). The eunonymus are variegated. Begonias are nice but they would clash... I never see pink ones at the store. Maybe petunias would work?

Petunias should be a great choice and you could mix pink, purple, and white for a little extra pizzaz. Some of the newer types, like Wave petunia, really fill out nicely too. Our Wal Mart here is already starting to mark plants down so they can unload them before it gets too hot. Maybe yours is too--it would be worth it to check it out. I'm still waiting for some of my beds to finish filling in--it can be frustrating and the beds look a little disappointing until the do but they look sooo good when they get finished! Good luck with yours.

Edited because I couldn't seem to spell "like," it turned out "live," lol.

This message was edited Jun 10, 2008 1:51 PM

I agree with adding annuals. Petunias are nice because they spread, but you might want to find something with a little height as well to really call attention to you new island. Perhaps you can find some rudbeckia at one of the box stores.

You don't need to fill in every space. I would consider three or four areas with several annuals planted close together. Sometimes it looks nice to have space around your plantings. Go for cheap and pretty. Is there going to be a swap or roundup in your area soon that you can take advantage of?

Check out your local friends that garden. Most of us have SOME stuff that we could/would share. You could even add some periennels with the plan to remove them when your "main plants" have matured enough to need the room. A little bit of garden art would help too. A 4x4 post is cheap and add a birdhouse to the top. If you have access to landscaping rock, a few well placed rocks or drift wood add interest without expense. Check craigslist and freecycle to stretch your $ for more ideas.

Oooooo. Nice ideas. Thanks !! Got some eye shopping to do.