It looks easy doesn't it? Stuff it all in and as long as there are no big gaps all should be well. Ha! How the hard work can be lost in the eye of the viewer.
As we all become more knowledgable through more information (overload some would say) from social media sites, from radio, non stop TV etc. we are always looking to get better with our planting, for the new and fresh, for unusual plants. But you know me I like to hark back to the past and keep things simple. I am interested in how we have got to this point in our planting and the origins of the evolving plant choices.
In one of my gardens, the owner has been gardening for about 50 years and she really has the herbaceous border down to a fine art. I have learnt so much from working in her space and with her (when she works alongside me). She has a great eye for the flow of the border, using repeats to bring the border together, planting in groups, changing up annuals with perennials.
She likes to begin a border with permanent shrubs such as Deutzia or Philadelphus. Then builds into the gaps with Nepeta, Geraniums, Alchemilla, Scabious, Hostas, the list goes on depending on site, permanence, size of border. But that isn't it for the season. From Tulips in early Spring, we move into Alliums and Digitalis. When Alliums are done but still hold their form in dried seed head, she moves onto Salvias and annuals such as Cosmos or Lily. As these go over, we fill with Sedums (I know I know but I always forget the new name) or the later flowering Verbena Bonariensis.
I also like the silver leaves used in a border; Stachys, Lychnis, Perovskia. I love how they contrast with many greens. I also quite like the way my client uses individual borders to show off one specimen. Rose border, Hot border, Iris border etc.
So much work is involved, all year around. We must remember as we breeze past a border in the height of Summer and it looks 'nice' what has gone on to get it there!
