Garden borders are not only essential for defining spaces; they play a significant role in shaping the overall atmosphere and functionality of a landscape. Traditionally, borders have marked the edges of buildings, pathways, and other features, providing both structure and flow.
Before diving into the details, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind when designing a garden border:
1. Purpose and Function
Is your border primarily for aesthetics, creating privacy, acting as a windbreak, or managing erosion? Understanding its purpose will help guide your plant choices and overall design, ensuring that the border performs as intended.
2. Climate and Soil Conditions
Choosing plants suited to your local climate and soil type is vital for ensuring healthy growth with minimal maintenance. Be mindful of your garden’s environmental conditions for a thriving, sustainable garden.
3. Plant Selection and Diversity
A diverse plant selection can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your garden border. Opt for a mix of plants, including a variety of heights, textures, and blooming seasons. This not only attracts wildlife but also adds year-round visual interest. Focus on selecting low-maintenance plants that require minimal pruning or deadheading to save you time and effort.
4. Sunlight and Watering Needs
Consider the sunlight exposure and watering requirements of your plants. Matching the right plants to the specific conditions of your border will ensure they flourish with little extra effort.
Border Planting Combinations We Love
Incorporating both annuals and perennials into your border creates a dynamic, colourful space. Perennials provide structure and long-term growth, while annuals inject vibrant bursts of colour and fill in any gaps during the season. This combination ensures ongoing visual appeal, attracts pollinators, and provides cost-effective and diverse options for your garden.
Coastal – Blairgowrie Hideaway
At our Blairgowrie Hideaway project, we were fortunate to work in an area surrounded by stunning native plants. Our clients were eager to incorporate as many as possible into their garden design. Multiple garden borders throughout the property served both aesthetic and functional purposes, particularly for managing slopes. The plant selection included Santolina chamaecyparissus, Rosmarinus ‘Tuscan Blue’, Astelia ‘Silver Spears’, Crowea exalata, and Pittosporum tobira ‘Miss Muffet’, with varied heights and flowering periods to ensure year-round interest.
Modern – Malvern Entertainer
Fast-growing, dense Pyrus callyerana ‘Capital’ (Ornamental Pears) were used to shield the extension next door and, combined with Prunus lusitanica, worked on adding necessary privacy to this property. Clipped Buxus spheres were planted for the structural support they bring to a garden, and Liriope muscari and Persicaria affinis were planted for their striking aesthetic qualities.
Meadow – Glen Iris Levels
For our Glen Iris Levels project, we chose plants that reflect a classic style but with a modern twist. Mixed perennials such as Echinacea purpurea, Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’, Digitalis purpurea, Echinops ‘Taplow Blue’, Allium sphaerocephalon, and Verbena bonariensis make up the meadow section, adding texture and seasonal interest.
Classic – Camberwell Soldiers
For the front garden, we chose a simple planting palette that framed the entrance. Two citrus trees stood at the threshold, guiding visitors to the front verandah. We underplanted these trees with Rhaphiolepis ‘Cosmic White’ spheres, Liriope muscari, Stachys ‘Silver Fleece’, Tulbaghia violacea, and complemented the scheme with Lagerstroemia ‘Natchez’.
Traditional – Hawthorn Star
This front garden combines contemporary design elements with traditional influences. Our clients wanted to create a structure that evoked the property’s original style. Sweeping curves form a paved space for easy passage, and the plant selection includes Buxus sempervirens, Daphne ‘Eternal Fragrance’, Liriope ‘Royal Purple’, Iris germanica, Hydrangea ‘Pee Wee’, Helleborus ‘Icebreaker Max’, and Cercis ‘Forest Pansy’.
With careful planning and the right plant choices, garden borders can transform your landscape into a visually stunning, functional space that reflects your personal style. Whether you’re after a coastal, formal, traditional, or modern look, the possibilities are endless—so get planting and watch your border garden thrive!
