Help with planting a border from scratch
Hi,
I’m based in the UK and looking for advice on the positioning of plants within a border.
I’ve chosen the plants I’d like to use but I don’t know how to bring it all together! I really need help with identifying which plants should go at the back of the border, front next to each other etc. I’m a bit of a novice and really want to avoid creating a shambles with lots of plants swamping each other.
I’ve already cut out the border and other than an existing Bamboo Fargasia which is in the corner I will be starting from scratch. (See diagram)
I like plants with interesting foliage, colours and textures and ideally want to end up with a scheme that nods to the exotic and tropical. I’m hoping to do this with the following plant choices:
Hostas
Fatsia Japonica
Heuchera
Phormius
Carex Comans
Euphorbia Wulfenii
Mahonia Oregon Grape
Crocasmia Tangerine Queen
Cordyline
Canna
Any advice you have would be really appreciated
Comments (16)
rachelmidlands
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoHi Keswing. Which direction does the border face? Does it get a lot of sun, shade or a bit of both? Only reason I ask is because a lot of the plants listed are better for shade. It’s a good list tho and it definetly give you a jungly vibe. You don’t say which vareity the mahonia is, some are more like a ground cover while others are almost trees. My suggestion would be for Mahonia ‘soft caress’ https://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/mahonia-eurybracteata-subsp-ganpinensis-soft-caress-pbr/classid.2000019611/
Euphorbia has toxic sap so wear gloves when pruning which needs doing once a year and probably not recommended if you have toddlers/ pets that like chewing random plants😊. Otherwise it’s a beauty and ‘Wulfenii’ will grow big quickly so definitely one for the back. Personally I like to mix the leaf shapes up, so sword shape leaves (e.g. crocosmia) next to large round leaves (e.g. Hosta.) I’d keep the smaller heucharas and carex to the front as I think these could get swamped by the others. As said if you can increase the width of the centre bit of the border it will look more lush. 50 cm is only really good for one plant depth wise.
Also wanted to recommend Helleborus foetidus ‘Stinking Hellebore,’ great foliage and amazing flowers in winter.
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PROWiltshire Garden & Interior Design
3 years ago
Sonia
3 years agokeswing
3 years agoThank you for all your comments. The border faces north so is shady. The top corner gets a bit of sun though. The shape of the border is like half a dog bone so is wider at both ends (approx 180). Do you still suggest extending the 50cm area to 1m?
rachelmidlands
3 years agokeswing
3 years agokeswing
3 years agoRachelmidlands, apologies I was at work so only got to quickly scan your replies and overlooked your question. The mahonia I’m looking at is the Oregan Grape. I’d eventually like it to become a tree to provide a bit of privacy between the neighbours. I was thinking of putting it in the straight run which is the only area where we’re overlooked. I’ve hashed it on my new plan so you can see. I was hoping the cordyline might eventually look palm tree like which again is why I’m not sure where it should be positioned. I’ve amended my plan based on suggestions - reduced length of run to 2m and increased depth to 1m and made comments based on yours and others replies. I don’t know which plants to remove from the list tho 🤯. I have inherited some plants already but the others I have still to buy. I was thinking of buying online but have no experience of online plant buying. Thanks again for replying
keswing
3 years agoSonia
3 years agokeswing
3 years agorachelmidlands
3 years agokeswing
3 years agoSo I thought you’d like to see the finished result..... There’s a few more plants in there than initially planned but I figured they can be moved once other plants become more established.
I was advised that my canna’s wouldn’t do well without full sun so I’ve put them in pots on the patio and have put some calla lillies in their place for now. So after cutting out, planting the border and painting the grotty old fence (should I paint the concrete too?)here’s it is with a before and after.....I just need to figure out what to do with the area at the other end of the garden now! Will probably be seeking ideas at some point soon. 😃
Ellie
3 years ago
rachelmidlands