Do you have landscape border envy?
Does your neighbor or sister-in-law plant the most colorful, lush borders you’ve ever seen, perfectly sculpted and balanced, like something from an Emily Dickenson poem? Well, marvel no more. We have assembled a list of helpful tips for planning your own idyllic garden or landscape borders.
The Why and How of Landscape Borders?
You can use landscape borders for many purposes in your yard and garden.
Many gardeners swear that borders are better – and far more attractive – than fences. They keep all but the most determined people or critters out while providing critical resources for beneficial insects.
Here are some basic guidelines to get you started.
It’s okay to repeat plants in your borders. In fact, you want to repeat a bit. Whatever you do, don’t simply grab one of each of your favorite plants and hope to pull it together.
The general rule is to start with the tallest species in the back and graduate down to the shortest varieties in the front. However, to create that unique, sculpted look, you have to break this pattern now and again within the border.
Choose your plants based on the amount of sun the area will receive and how much you want to water it, prune it and spend time with it. Because the plants will be so tightly grouped, you must choose varietals that have the same requirements for sun and water.
In your desired landscape border location, layout your boundaries using either string or a garden hose, to see how it will look.
Finally, keep in mind that your border must be lush and packed with plants. If you space them out too much, you won’t achieve that ideal look.
Design Ideas for a Formal Landscape Border
If your yard and garden are more on the formal side, match the theme of your landscape border accordingly.
The essential nature of formal gardens and borders are straight lines and intentional color schemes. Choose shrubs and flowering plants that are more restrained in appearance, rather than relaxed and overgrown looking. Formal landscape borders typically adhere to a pattern that you must maintain and cultivate.
Create a Casual Landscape Border with These Tips
In Northern Utah, most gardeners prefer a more casual approach to landscape border design.
The shape of a casual border is more freeform and natural-looking. Plants are grouped rather than regimented into a specific design. A casual border will have less of a sculptured or manicured look. In a formal design, a sense of balance dominates. In an informal bed, you will perceive the texture most clearly.
The casual will require significantly less time and maintenance as well, as you can select shrubs, flowers and groundcover that don’t require constant pruning or trimming.
Millcreek Gardens has all the plants and shrubs you need for your garden and landscape, including annual and perennial flowers, rose bushes and flower bulbs. Visit our beautiful Salt Lake City nursery today for more advice – and all the gardening supplies you’ll need – for planting your dream landscape borders.