If you wish plants to eventually grow together so they look like they are unified, spread & spacing are the same.

Al

Ladyisz,

I enjoy your dilemna. Even after gardening for quite a few years, it is one which I still have... on occasion!

Plants grow differently in everyones garden and from one place to another. And what's on the packet or the tag may or may not apply to your gardens because of where you've placed the plant, the soil, sun exposure, etc.

So.... to solve your frustration, you might try a few tricks which I've used from time to time.
- Check out gardens in your neighbourhood and make mental notes on how the plants grow. If you like something, ask questions about how that gardener gardens. Do they mulch? fertilize? Did they change the soil from what it was by adding topsoil? etc.

- Plant your schrubs and perennials as 'bones' in the gardens, and fill with annuals. Then if things become too crowded, you can transplant the annuals elsewhere without interrupting the 'bones'.

- Your garden is not just for plants, but also for garden art. I have several bowling balls which I've done mosaics on and I also use them as fillers. I also use trelisses, bird houses and such to draw the eyes to particular sections of the gardens. Play with it.

- Let things go for a while in an area where you feel you have a problem. I did this in a particular garden this year and love it right now!! It looks like a cottage garden which was planned - NOT! - and everyone loves it!! Full to the brim with blooms from annuals and perennials. It's bursting!!

- Consider height. Sometimes it's not the spacing which is the issue as much as it is the height. Plant shorter plants next to taller ones. I used to place all the tall ones together and then all the short ones in the front. Now I plant tall ones in the back 2/3rds of a border, and plant shorter ones (and medium height) throughout. It makes the eyes go up and down and travel through the gardens in a way which explores and finds new things at every turn.

Seeing the gardens on paper is one thing. Seeing them in real life is another. You have seen your plants grow this year, and now (fall season) is the time to make changes so that next year you will start to see what you wish to see!!

Have fun!

I agree with Tiffy, good suggestions there.

in comparing my yard with other members from my garden club remember several things make a big difference. One gals's newly constructed beds with new topsoil and alot of fresh compost grew like gang busters, but next year the growth will be slower, and she also waters very well several times a week. Do you like the cottage look, then don't worry about the spacing. I like my hostas spread out more to admire their individual leaves so I try to leave alot of space between plants, and use alot of mulch, but in a couple of years, the plants grow larger and I need to change things again. I think the amount of water you give a plant and if you fetilize more than twice a season will make the biggest difference. After 4 years the daylily bed is a big mess, and I need to dig everything out and seperate the spreading groups-bloom numbers are down. In other beds I enjoy the cottage look. just have fun, until it looks like your vision.