Planning a garden border is an important part of any gardening project. Not only does it provide a defined space in which to plant flowers, shrubs and trees, but it also encourages wildlife and creates a sense of order and structure in the garden.
The best way to plan a flower border is to have a planting scheme in mind and then choose plants that match it. This can be a theme such as Mediterranean, exotic or cottage garden styles, or it could be a colour scheme with a range of shades – for example reds, oranges and yellows.
Having a clear planting scheme in mind will help you avoid making mistakes when it comes to choosing plants and ensures your flower border looks fantastic all year round. It will also mean that you can make informed decisions about which plants will grow well in your garden, and which ones won’t.
Planting schemes can be tricky if you’re a beginner or don’t know what to plant, but there are some simple tips that will guide you through the process. These will help you to design a stunning border, no matter what your skill level is.
1. Designing flower borders
Creating a beautiful plant border is not difficult, and it is an excellent way of bringing your garden to life and giving it a more defined look. This is particularly helpful if you don’t have a lot of space or if you’re working on a budget.
2. Planning a border with height in mind
One of the most successful ways of making your flower border stand out is to have a selection of tall plants at the front and rear. These can include trees, such as crab apples and rhododendrons, as well as shrubs, such as salvias or ornamental grasses.
3. Plan your border to maximise sunlight
A good rule of thumb is to plan your flower border so that it gets between six and eight hours of direct sun each day during the summer months. This will encourage the most colourful blooms and give the plants plenty of food to thrive.
4. Plan your border in clumps and not single plants
If you have a large garden, it’s tempting to plan your flower border using a single group of plants. But it can work better if you use smaller clumps of plants to build up a more attractive arrangement that gradually grows in size.
5. Planting a leafy border
Foliage borders offer a great contrast in texture, color, and shape. They also help to soften the overall impact of a hardy flower border.
When planning a foliage border, it’s a good idea to include some evergreen shrubs, like camellias, daphne and mahonia. They will provide stunning flowering and scented foliage for the majority of the year, with minimal maintenance.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://diygardeningtips.com/beginners-gardening/top-7-tips-for-gardening-care/