How to Use Herbaceous Borders
These are the traditional ways of growing perennial plants, but one of the most common is as border. Most conventional borders contain nothing other than herbaceous plants. A herbaceous plant will die completely at the end of the season but grow again the following year from the seeds. The herbaceous border is usually planted in drifts, generally with the taller specimens at the back and shorter ones at the front with colors carefully planned so as to present a harmonious whole. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Select herbaceous plants for color. The traditional color scheme is hot, strong colors in the center with cooler, softer ones at the ends. Some attractive herbaceous borders can be made by restricting the flowers to one color, such as red, or perhaps two, such as white and gold or yellow and blue. Petunias can be found in all these colors.
-
2
Plant herbaceous perennials against a strong backdrop. Herbaceous perennials, like azaleas, look their best when they are set off against a green background, either shrubs or, better still, a yew hedge.
-
-
3
Use herbaceous plants to form paths. A herbaceous border can create an appealing walkway, with two parallel beds separated by a wide path. With a careful choice of plants, it can remain attractive from spring to autumn. Lavender planted in parallel lines makes for a stunning and fragrant walking path.
-
4
Prune herbaceous plants into shapes. Traditional herbaceous borders are long and often consist of two parallel beds with a broad path between them. However, they can be of any shape you like to fit in either with your own designs or with the shape of your garden. Jasmine can be worked into a variety of appealing shapes.
-
5
Create a border that needs little maintenance. Herbaceous borders can be quite labor-intensive, but if you combine mulching with a "little and often" approach to maintenance, they are surprisingly easy to look after and are very rewarding. A wide range of plants, running to many thousands, are suitable. Hydrangeas make excellent borders and require very little maintenance.
-
1
- Photo Credit Public domain
