A curve of Sisyrinchium Striatum

There is a curved path that sweeps out from the terrace.  It arcs away with a small equally curving bed on one side containing box balls while on the other is the main herbaceous bed.

The smaller curving bed was used in our Tulip trial and our intention is to plant more Tulips in it later in the year.  However, it craves stature and form. 

One plant that we have already used extensively in the garden is Sisyrinchium Striatum.  Its name is something of a mouthful but it has become a firm favourite.  Its leaves are a spiky light green and it grows in a clump-like form. It has thrived and seems perfectly at home in our chalky soil and exposure to sun from our south facing site.  It is also an evergreen and offers the added advantage of all year round interest even when not actually in flower.  Indeed it is now about to flower and small rosettes of white flowers with pale yellow inside are appearing. 

It is this plant that we have used to define the curving path and yesterday my order of 25 arrived at Holmes & Sons for collection.  I planted all 25 last evening and the effect is immediate.  They add this definition to the space and take the eye to the end of the path in the most pleasing way.  I will plant an under-story of planting so that the Sisyrinchium rise imperiously out of the folliage and flowers below.  But even now having just occupied the space, the planting scheme works well.