PLANTS & PLANTING/DESIGN
Plan the
perfect border
Follow our simple guide to create an
inspirational, flower-filled border that is full of
colour and interest throughout the seasons
W
e all want a garden that
looks colourful no matter
what season it is, but how
can you achieve this? There are a few
basic rules that will help to guarantee
success, and the first is to make your
beds and borders as wide and long as
possible. Skinny beds of just 30-60cm
(1-2ft), for example, will only
provide space for one or two plants,
so when they have stopped flowering,
there may be nothing else to look at.
Then make a list of the plants you
have seen and like; you will find lots
of inspiration in this magazine,
in books or in-store. Check when
they flower or fruit, and include
plants for each season as well as
a few evergreens.
Also check the plants’ full height
sizes: some may look like little twigs
when you buy them in spring, but
could grow up to a metre (3ft) within
weeks. Finally, sketch out on a piece
of paper the shape of your proposed
border, and where you plan to plant
each flower, tree or shrub, with the
tallest at the back.
Below: The
border just
after planting.
Right: a digital
impression of
what it will look
like in bloom
by summer
Just planted
how to
PL A N T A B OR DE R
Mark out the border,
remove any turf, dig
over the soil, and fork
in well-rotted manure.
Set out your plants
on the bed. Put large
plants at the back and
leave space for growth.
Dig a large hole for
each plant, about twice
as wide as the pot and
just a little deeper*.
Gently take plants from
their pots. Tease out any
congested roots. Place
in the hole and backfill.
*Check the planting information on the plant label for each specific plant
18/ BE AU TIFUL GA RDE NS
Make sure the plants
are planted at the same
depth as they were in
their original pots.