Common mistakes when planting a new border…
Walking back from my local underground station I recently came across a newly re-designed front garden with a border that stopped me in my tracks… a small planting area running alongside a driveway, only 60cm wide but planted with a selection of shrubs that look nice and cute now but which will soon become very large, some of them reaching up to 4 metres in height and width, taking over the space and spilling onto the paved area… some will undoubtedly need to be taken out within a couple of years or in any case will require so much clipping and pruning that they will fail to thrive.
Planting a new garden or a new border requires careful consideration and knowledge of plants, which your landscaper or gardener may not have.
Not considering the plant growth and its full size at maturity is a key factor in a failing scheme.
But also, what is your soil like, heavy or light, wet or dry? What is the orientation, how much sun does it get. Is it exposed to wind and pollution? Will the plants self-seed and invade the garden? Or are they short lived and subject to disease?
These are questions that a horticulturalist comes across every day – finding the right plant for the right space is key.
Other common mistakes when planting a new border include:
- Planting too much variety; try to reduce your palette of plants and repeat them throughout the border instead
- Choosing plants that all flower at the same time; try to think of year-round interest, don’t buy all that looks good in the garden centre in May
- Not preparing the ground properly; digging a hole is just not enough, you need to clear weeds and rubble, add compost and sometimes a root fertiliser.
Despite all this, gardening is very much about trial and error, so don’t let these mistakes stop you from experimenting with a new planting scheme – just do your research first and be prepared to move plants around the garden!
Happy Gardening!
Anne Fraser and Caroline Streets
07729 835988 and 07930 876348
Planting Gems
