Sometimes gardening inspiration comes from the most unexpected places. Today we're embracing what we lovingly call "full floof"—that abundant, cottage garden aesthetic that makes every corner of the garden feel lush and romantic. Our projects include creating formal square tree beds inspired by King Charles's garden and planting our most ambitious container arrangement yet.

Royal Inspiration: Square Beds Under Trees

Breaking from our usual curved garden beds, we've created geometric square cutouts under two special trees: our Princeton Century ginkgo and paper bark maple. This formal approach was inspired by King Charles's garden in England, where fruit trees are underplanted with square beds of lavender (later switched to catmint as shade increased).

Why Square Beds Work

The geometric contrast between organic tree forms and structured planting beds creates visual intrigue while serving practical purposes:

• Defined maintenance zones - Clear boundaries make care easier
• Formal focal points - Structured elements balance flowing garden areas
• Historical connection - Links our contemporary garden to classical design traditions
• Plant protection - Defined beds prevent accidental damage during lawn maintenance

Sweet Romance Lavender: Perfect for Our Climate

For these formal plantings, we chose Sweet Romance lavender—a variety that has proven successful in our challenging, moisture-rich upstate New York environment where many lavenders struggle.

Sweet Romance Lavender Statistics:

• Height: 12-18 inches
• Hardiness: Zones 5-9 (perfect for our Zone 6a)
• Exposure: Full sun
• Special features: Deer and rabbit resistant

Planting Strategy: Maximum Impact

Instead of following traditional spacing recommendations, we packed 16 plants into each square bed (5 per side with corner plantings). While this seems dense, our "go big or go home" philosophy creates immediate impact and faster establishment of the hedge effect we're seeking.

Planting Sequence:

1. Corner plants first
2. Center plants on each side
3. Fill in the gaps between

This approach ensures even spacing while creating the lush, full look we want from day one.

No Irrigation by Design

These lavender beds receive no supplemental irrigation—a deliberate choice that honors lavender's Mediterranean heritage. Our naturally wet climate provides sufficient moisture, while the lack of drip irrigation prevents the overwatering that often kills lavender in humid regions.

The Jensen Urn: Ultimate Container Floof

Our largest container project centers around the Jensen urn on Greenwich pedestal—a substantial piece that demands an equally impressive planting. With the addition of a Decor Wow garden obelisk for vertical structure, this container becomes a true garden focal point.

The Thriller Plants

Meteor Shower Verbena (3 plants) - At 30 inches tall, these provide the height and structure needed for such a large container. Unlike traditional verbena bonariensis, this sterile variety won't self-seed throughout the garden while maintaining the same pollinator appeal and airy texture.

Stratosphere Pink Gaura (2 plants) - These 24-inch "wand flowers" add movement and grace, creating a secondary height layer that softens the transition from vertical verbena to mounding plants below.

The Fillers and Spillers

Supertunia Pink Cashmere - A vigorous trailing petunia that provides substantial coverageAngel Face Cascade Blue Angelonia - Our first experiment with cascading summer snapdragonsSupertunia Mini Vista Pink Cloud - New for 2026, offering iridescent pink flowersSuper Bells Grape Punch - Bold purple flowers with yellow centersBluebird Nemesia - Fragrant lavender-colored blooms (10-12 inches)Laguna Royale Pink Lobelia - Improved 2026 variety with enhanced heat toleranceWhirlwind White Scaevola - Last-minute addition for textural contrast

Design Principles for Large Containers

Layered Heights - From 30-inch verbena down to 8-inch lobelia, every level is filledColor Harmony - Pink, purple, and white flowers with yellow centers create cohesionTextural Variety - Fine verbena contrasts with bold petunias and delicate lobeliaSeasonal Performance - All selections thrive in heat and bloom continuously

Soil Strategy: Annual-Specific Mix

For this massive container, we used Coast of Maine's Organic and Natural Planting Soil for Annuals—a specialized mix that's richer and more compost-like than traditional potting soil. This provides the nutrition and moisture retention needed for such a densely planted container.

Installation Tips for Large Containers

Obelisk First

Installing the structural obelisk before planting prevents damage to delicate annuals—a lesson learned from previous seasons of trying to thread supports through established plantings.

Work from Center Out

1. Install tallest centerpiece plants (verbena)
2. Add secondary height (gaura)
3. Position largest mounding plants (petunias)
4. Fill remaining spaces with smaller varieties

The EcoGrande Technique

For easy plant removal from containers, crack the bottom of the pot first, then turn upside down. This prevents root damage and soil mess during planting.

Managing Dense Plantings

With 10+ varieties in a single container, spacing becomes critical:

Avoid Plant Jealousy - Ensure each variety has adequate space to showcase its characteristicsPlan for Growth - Anticipate how vigorous growers will spread and adjust accordingly
Create Rhythm - Repeat colors and textures around the container for visual balance

The "Floof" Philosophy

Our embrace of abundant, romantic plantings reflects a broader garden philosophy:

Cottage Garden Aesthetic - Informal abundance over formal restraintSeasonal Impact - Maximum color and texture during peak growing monthsSensory Experience - Fragrance, texture, and visual appeal all consideredWildlife Support - Dense plantings provide habitat and food sources

Maintenance Considerations

Lavender Beds

• No supplemental water (Mediterranean plants prefer drier conditions)
• Annual trimming after bloom to maintain shape
• Minimal fertilization to prevent soft growth

Container Garden

• Daily watering in peak summer heat
• Regular deadheading to encourage continuous bloom
• Mid-season fertilization to sustain heavy flowering

Looking Forward: Seasonal Development

These plantings represent just the beginning of their seasonal journey:

Week 1-2 - Initial establishment and root developmentWeek 3-4 - Explosive growth and first major flush of blooms
Mid-summer - Peak performance with maximum coverage and colorLate summer - Continued performance with possible second pruning of lavender

The lavender beds will develop into solid hedges by season's end, while the container will become increasingly lush and full as each variety reaches maturity.

Design Impact: Formal Meets Informal

The contrast between geometric lavender beds and exuberantly planted containers demonstrates how different design approaches can coexist beautifully in the same garden. The formal tree beds provide structure and visual anchors, while the abundant container plantings offer romance and seasonal excitement.

This combination ensures our garden feels both thoughtfully designed and naturally abundant—exactly the balance we strive for in all our garden spaces.

Thanks for growing with us!