We didn\u2019t realise how complicated a task it is to design a border in your garden. Most of us purchase plants which we like and just pop them in a space in the border. Our speaker, Helen Riches sought to change all that and gave us some tried and tested ground rules for designing that perfect border.<\/p>\n
Start with big ideas \u2013 do you want a favourite tree to be the focal point, do you wish to concentrate on summer-flowering perennials or fragrant plants. Check out the soil type, the direction which the border faces, what about the shade. Don\u2019t forget architectural plants to give your border a backbone. Aim for 30% evergreen and 70% deciduous plants to ensure that the border looks good at all times of the year.<\/p>\n
Draw your plan, starting with the shrubs and bearing in mind the eventual size of the mature plants. Add your perennials in groups of three or five and bulbs last of all. Man-made structures add another dimension to your border so look for interesting pots or bricks. Seek inspiration for your plants from magazines, visit other peoples\u2019 gardens and think carefully before buying that impulse plant at the garden centre.<\/p>\n
Helen showed us examples of gardens she had designed and described the \u2018before and after\u2019 stages. But now it\u2019s up to us \u2013 we have to decide how we can transform our borders \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.. Good luck!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We didn\u2019t realise how complicated a task it is to design a border in your garden. Most of us purchase plants which we like and just pop them in a space in the border. Our speaker, Helen Riches sought to … Continue reading