Spring decoupage - part 2

Spring Decoupage - Part 2

Discover how to create a beautiful spring decoupage in this lesson, the key step needed to create a garden that is beautiful all spring.

Always start with foliage: it knits everything together and serves as the backbone. Foliage is especially important in the winter when your plants are dormant or cut back.

Foliage in the Winter

Kale has completely transformed Arthur's winter garden. Kale varieties Arthur likes for the winter are 'Curly Scarlet' and 'Redbor.' Try planting kale after you've made your bulb lasagne. Arthur always buys or sows kale between July and September. Kale, especially 'Curly Scarlet', becomes almost bonsai-like when sown late and does not grow massively.

Rosemary, particularly 'Foxtail', is an excellent permanent plant for permanent planting. Arthur recommends planting rosemary in a sunny, south-facing location.

When to Create Your Decoupage

Arthur finds spring decoupage revitalising. It's all about thinking ahead. You should decoupage before you do anything else. Arthur creates a spring decoupage in September before the bulb order and prepares a summer decoupage in January and February.

Providing an Understorey of Flowers Beneath the Tulips

Wallflowers are very sentimental for Arthur and are best married with tulips, as they provide a great understorey of flowers. Wallflowers give off a great perfume. The key thing is to order them early, about 6 for a big pot or 3 for a small pot. They go on top of your bulbs.

Before putting any bulbs in, you need to consider how the plants will hold themselves through the winter and the spring display.

Viola 'Tiger Eye Red'

One flower Arthur really loves is a Viola called 'Tiger Eye Red'. It powers on throughout the whole of winter and spring. He pairs it with quite delicate things like snake's-head fritillary. He often doesn't plant anything underneath it as bulbs can easily swamp violas.

Sweet Peas

You need to leave one plant pot unplanted if you want sweet peas. They want to be planted in large dolly tubs as their roots like to be in deep, moist soil. The spring display includes sweet peas as they are sown between December and New Year.

Using Catalogues to Select Plants

Catalogues are grouped by shades, making it easier to know what goes with what. The captions of a good plant catalogue come into play. Each caption shows you when they are going to flower.

'Palmyra' tulips catch catches Arthur's eye every time: "they're ballsy and dramatic, making me instantly excited". You want enough of a similar tone so that they complement and echo each other. The 'Palmyra' will be in season first, then the 'Black Hero'.

'Black Hero' is a beautiful tulip that is short like a lantern and has a great classic tulip shape. 'Prinses Irene' is a great reliable deep orange, tangerine colour. Regardless of the palette, you need to make sure that there are early, mid and late tulips.

Arrange Colour Throughout the Garden

Colour combinations in a small space need to be planted opposite each other so the eye can follow them through. Create harmony in your garden by combining colour combinations in different areas.

Your Assignment

Get ordering plant catalogues. The key to creating good-quality decoupage is to order plant catalogues. Get to know the plants in the catalogues and make your discoveries about each plant.

Plant Directory

Herb plants

• Rosemary 'Foxtail'

Foliage & Vegetables

• Kale 'Curly Scarlet'
• Kale 'Redbor F1'

Violia

• 'Tiger Eye Red'

Wallflowers

• Wallflower 'Vulcan'
• Wallflower 'Sunset Orange' F1
• 'Ruby Gem'

Sweetpeas

Tulips

• Tulip 'Palmyra'
• 'Black Hero'
• 'Cairo'
• 'Prinses Irene'