Help me pick what to plant

[winofairy]

We live in a condo so we really aren't allowed to do much outside.

We are stuck with this really old privacy fence .

I'm hoping our section will soon be on the list for replacement (different sections were replaced last summer so fx).

DH tried his best to spruce it up by bleaching it but this is what we are left with unfortunately. So please try and ignore (or feel free to toss suggestions out there) when offering your help when I ask what I should plant in this small flower bed with my coral colored dahlia's that I just purchased.

I need suggestions for plants that are full sun (part sun would be ok to-- I think) to plant in this bed that would look good with the coral.

I like to stick to the same color group but DH likes varieties and lots of different color.

I also have to careful because we have a chipmunk who lives in our flower beds and ate all of my lily bulbs last year (he dug them all up).




Please help a newbie me decide?

[Mashara]

If they replace the fence, do you think they'll walk all over your plants and maybe kill them?

How wide is the bed? The dahlias look kind of small in this pic, when compared to the tall fence space. If they'll get wide compared to the bed width, you might want to move them further away from the fence to give them more growing room.

Some good medium-size plants for sunny areas are daylilies, coreopsis, and peonies. You could always try a climber like a rose or clematis to go between the dahlias.

But I'd pick a color scheme first. First, keep in mine that too many colors in a small space can be confusing, like your eyes doesn't know where to look. If the area is small, I'd choose one or two complementary colors. For example, I'm planting a new bed and want to use mostly red or white, then use the other color as an accent. You already have coral, that would probably look nice as a bright splash against a backdrop of blue. Or add other shades or coral, so the bed has a cohesive look. Second, remember that the plants you like might bloom at different times. You can always add a few annuals for all season color.

[winofairy]

Lots of good ideas and tips!

[mrsbing]

I'd suggest a little arborvitae of somesort...just for a second color. And then, if there is room, maybe some yellow daylillies or maybe some dusty miller.