Garden borders are ever-reliable features of our gardens, providing a vibrant tapestry of colour, texture, and life through much of the year – when planned and planted correctly that is!
Even the most enthusiastic gardener among us can fall victim to one or two common mistakes – we sure have, so don’t worry.
We’re here to give you a helping hand to identify those slip-ups and transform your borders into show-stopping displays, ready to impress at your next big garden barbecue.
Ignoring Your Garden’s Sunniest Spots
Sunlight is a plant's best friend. Before planting, understand how much sun each area of your border receives. Sun-loving perennials, such as lavender and catmint, will struggle in shaded spots, while a shade-dweller like a Hosta may wilt in too much sun.
Go back to basics and draw together a ‘sun map’ of your garden, accurately identifying where gets the most sun and fill those spots with those perennials that thrive under the rays of the sun.
Too Much, Can Be Too Much
When planting, picture the final outcome in your mind and resist overcrowding your borders. The wonderful world of gardening has so much plant choice out there, so it can be tempting to cram as many beauties into one growing season as possible.
But you need to ensure those you have in the ground have enough room to reach their full potential without smothering their neighbours.
Plant taller varieties towards the back of borders, followed by those medium height specimens, and then creeping groundcover at the front.
There’s More to Gardening Than Just Summer!
Don't let your borders become a one-act show, ignoring autumn through spring in favour of a summer masterpiece.
Plan for year-round interest, starting with early spring bulbs like daffodils and tulips that erupt in a blaze of colour, before fading gracefully to make way for summer blooms. Include late-blooming perennials like asters and sedum to extend the season and consider evergreen shrubs for winter structure.
Neglecting Plant Spacing
We touched on reducing the number of plants in your border earlier, but you also need to take care in where your selected choices are planted.
Planting too close can create competition for water, nutrients, and sunlight. Know before you grow and do plenty of research. It is much better to have fewer healthy plants than a crowded mess.
Don’t Stick To One Colour
A splash of colour will elevate your borders from pleasant to breath-taking. There are plants available that display colourful petals ranging across the rainbow, allowing you to toy around with different mixes and matches. Treat your border like you would a home renovation and think about those colours that work well alongside one another – reds with greens, yellows with purples, oranges with blues, and so on!
Forgetting the Importance of Foliage
We have spoken a lot about flowers, but try to remember it is not just about the blooms. Foliage comes in all shapes and sizes as well, with varying textures and colours.
Some foliage is evergreen, for year-round interest, and others are deep and dark, forming a stunning foil for bright blooms to really standout with pizzazz.
Not Deadheading
There is little point in planning and planting a beautiful border if you’re not clued in on how to care for it moving forward.
Deadheading, the art of removing spent flowers, is your secret weapon for a longer and more abundant display of floral might.
If you remove flowers when they appear dead, you can encourage the plant to produce more blooms in that same season, rather than focus of seed production – give it a go!