Join Joe Dransfield, lead ornamental gardener at The Newt in Somerset, as he shares expert seasonal planting advice, design inspiration and gardening wisdom
How to make your garden borders dazzle
I still remember the moment it clicked. I was gardening at Regent’s Park London, hands deep in the lush herbaceous border, when I realised: this is exactly where I want to be! There is something so incredible about being enveloped by beautiful plants in their prime. Even for the non-gardener, the spectacle of a well-tended to and well-designed border can bring joy. Today, I channel that passion into curating the colour gardens, woodland stumperies and running the horticultural apprenticeship programme at The Newt, as well as running a series of workshops, including Border Design.
The seemingly effortless beauty of a garden border is, of course, anything but effortless, however with some planning, patience and a clear vision, you can create a garden that you and your guests will love.
Know your border
Before embarking on your border improvements, survey your garden. Make a note of:
- Existing plants: what is doing well and what is not.
- Aspect: where the sun rises and sets.
- Microclimate: is it mostly windy or protected? Does a south facing wall heat up your garden, or is it in shade for most of the day? Where does the frost lie?
- Soil type: Is it mainly sand, silt, clay, chalk or loam? Test your soil pH with a simple kit.
Taking these factors into account when selecting plants will give them the best start and allow them to thrive. ‘Right plant, right place’, is a famous quote from acclaimed plantswoman Beth Chatto, and one I always work by when designing a border.
Top Tip: visit gardens throughout the year. You will gain inspiration and insight.
Theme and Design
The best borders have a vision; a theme that drives the creation and development of the garden. It could be a white garden, a jewel garden, a cottage garden or even a Mexican party garden! The possibilities are endless, and we are blessed with a huge variety of plants to choose from.
When designing or developing your border consider:
- Season of interest: You may want a border that sings in the height of summer or waits until autumn to show its colours.
- Height and spread: Taller plants towards the rear and shorter towards the front.
- Structure and form: Add plants that give your border structure. It could be strategically placed roses or a Cotinus (smokebush) at the back, framing the border to give it the bones from which you can fill out the space.
- Colour: This may be the most important aspect. Do you want harmonious hues that complement each other, or colours that vibrantly clash? You could choose a pastel palette or delve into the tones of one colour.
- Repetition: Repeat your plants throughout the border, it creates a visually coherent display.
- Focal point: Where is the eye drawn to? This could be a feature in the garden or a gorgeous clematis in the border. The eye needs somewhere to rest and absorb the garden.
- Plant type: Choosing mainly perennial plants will ensure your plants return every year. However, you can add annuals, biennials, trees, shrubs and climbers too.
Top Tip: Don’t get overwhelmed. With your theme in mind choose plants that suit your vision and start to make a plant list. Why not try creating a plant mood board, a helpful tool for visualisation; cut or print out pictures of plants you like from magazines or the internet. Plant choices can be aided by using the RHS plant encyclopaedia, garden magazines, social media, or by visiting gardens/garden centres.
Make a planting plan
A planting plan will keep your vision in check and allow you to order the correct number of plants. Measure your border and create a rough sketch of the outline. Start to sketch out groups of plants where you think they will grow and look their best. You might create clumps, swathes or dot plants here and there, just remember to have some repetition and think about plant height and spreads. Plants look best grouped together in odd numbers, so try three, five or seven, leaving enough space for them to grow. Any gaps in the border will soon be filled as plants mature, or as annual/biennial plants are added. Remember, there is no right or wrong, this is a living piece of art that can be fine-tuned as you go.
Soil care
It is a good idea to mulch your border every year in either autumn or early spring. This improves soil by adding organic matter and nutrients, which feeds a huge array of life in the soil including worms, microorganisms and fungi. They will, in turn, improve the structure and health of your soil, helping plants grow strong and floriferous, whilst suppressing weeds. Your garden will be more resilient to droughts and floods, retaining moisture in summer whilst being more porous in wet winters.
Mulch with a well-rotted compost which you can make yourself or purchase in bulk. Aim to cover the ground with an inch or two of compost.
Plant ideas
The most exciting part of gardening a border is experimenting with different or unusual plants. Every year I browse a seed catalogue, making a list of all the annual plants to add to the border. There are some incredible plants that add so much foliage or flower power to the border. The best thing is that they are economical and make your border dazzle.
- Consider adding: nicotiana, cosmos, zinnia, cleome, cornflowers and ornamental grasses. They will flower for a long time when dead-headed and fill your border with scent, colour and vibrancy.
- Layers of tulips, alliums and daffodils enhance the display and extend the season of interest. There are so many different bulbs that you can add, this may be something you do as your border matures.
- Other layers might be mature shrubs, small trees, climbers clambering around an obelisk or dotting in tender annual plants which will elevate the border..
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