Planting ideas for narrow borders

Posts

• Borderline Posts: 4,700

  September 2018

  It all depends on what you like and the level of work you are prepared to do throughout the year. Generally, shrubs are more easier to maintain. Although not very deep, but all borders are decent size for most plants. It's just a case of planting in smaller groups/blocks of each plant. Climbers and wall trained shrubs can also add colour and interest. Think about themes, styles or maybe post what you don't like too. Helps to narrow down recommendations.
  
  The soil preparation is the most important part, and being a clay soil, you can never have enough compost or well rotted manure. Don't rush to plant until you have dumped loads of the stuff on top and dig in well. 

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• Adamlewis1 Posts: 6

  September 2018

  Thanks. I think mostly shrubs as the maintenance is easier. Style wise, I'm thinking something Mediterranean inspired - I love lavender and herbs, and plenty of pollinators for bees. The second photo especially is the kind of vibe I am looking for, although obviously that is a lot deeper. 

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• DimWit Posts: 553

  September 2018

  The western aspect border will be specially suitable for a mediterranean theme. Add grit (check out how much would fit your microclimate), maybe mulch with gravel over the membrane. Notice how the second picture border was raised above the house level: a smart step for a place with heavier rainfall than Provence!

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• Obelixx Posts: 30,090

  September 2018 edited September 2018

  Lavender doesn't like clay soils.  It wants fierce drainage and some alkalinity.
  
  Dig over the clay as much as you can to break it up then pile on masses of well-rotted manure and leave it for winter so the worms and other micro-organisms plus frosts to work it all in.  Fork it over next spring and then work in plenty of fine grit to open up the soil structure and then you can start planting Mediterranean style plants with less risk of losing them to winter wet.
  
  If you go for agapanthus, make sure you choose the deciduous, narrow-leaved varieties as the others are not winter hardy and need lifting and sheltering.  If lavender is not an option, try nepetha and herbaceous salvias to get the same blues.

  Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
  

  "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."

  Plato
  

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• Adamlewis1 Posts: 6

  September 2018

  Thanks for the advice Obelixx. Lavender seems to grow OK as I chucked a lot of grit into the bed  before planting years ago although I am sure it could be improved. I've just taken a photo of the garden so you can get a sense of it. 

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• Borderline Posts: 4,700

  September 2018

  Thanks for posting a photo and it helps to get an idea of space. I'm afraid a lot less space than I imagined. But with spaces like that, it's all about keeping clumps within their space and don't be worried about digging every few years and dividing to keep them fresh and small.
  
  For your back border and right border, have a look at the following and see if anything you find you like. I believe they will all do fine provided you work a lot of grit and compost in before planting, and continue to top dress compost every year.
  
  This is based on your few photos of ideal look. For a mediterranean feel, I think these plants can create that look. Just pick even 2-3 will work. Plant staggered to have over-lapping. Creates a more naturalistic feel. Anthemis Tinctoria EC Buxton/Sauce Hollandaise, Convovulus Cneorum, Helenium Moorheim Beauty, Erysimum Bowles Beauty, Santonlina Chamaecyparissus, Nepeta, Artemesia Powis Castle. Maybe think about planting something that can add height like Nerium Oleander. Your garden looks pretty protected. Long term the apple tree will grow bigger so you will need to alter you planting in the corner.
  
  On the left border, you have quite a lot going on, so I can suggest ground cover plants like Alchemilla Mollis, Thalictrum and Japanese Anemones to extend the colour into autumn time.

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• Fairygirl Posts: 55,117

  September 2018

  Hi Adam, in addition to all the great suggestions you've had, I was wondering what you intend to do with the central area? Grass? Paving?
  Just to add my thoughts - and maybe a curve ball - how about making a larger bed in the middle and planting that up? Perhaps a curved shape with another path for access etc, or a rectangular or square shape if you want a more formal look. That would give you more scope for your Med. planting, and you could add other features like water or statuary, depending on your plans and your needs for the space.
  A bit of height in the middle, using taller planting, can also give you a suggestion of 'something beyond' because it acts as a screen. It can also make smaller spaces look bigger. 

  It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
  
  
  
  I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...

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• Adamlewis1 Posts: 6

  September 2018

  Borderline said:

  Thanks for posting a photo and it helps to get an idea of space. I'm afraid a lot less space than I imagined. But with spaces like that, it's all about keeping clumps within their space and don't be worried about digging every few years and dividing to keep them fresh and small.
  
  For your back border and right border, have a look at the following and see if anything you find you like. I believe they will all do fine provided you work a lot of grit and compost in before planting, and continue to top dress compost every year.
  
  This is based on your few photos of ideal look. For a mediterranean feel, I think these plants can create that look. Just pick even 2-3 will work. Plant staggered to have over-lapping. Creates a more naturalistic feel. Anthemis Tinctoria EC Buxton/Sauce Hollandaise, Convovulus Cneorum, Helenium Moorheim Beauty, Erysimum Bowles Beauty, Santonlina Chamaecyparissus, Nepeta, Artemesia Powis Castle. Maybe think about planting something that can add height like Nerium Oleander. Your garden looks pretty protected. Long term the apple tree will grow bigger so you will need to alter you planting in the corner.
  
  On the left border, you have quite a lot going on, so I can suggest ground cover plants like Alchemilla Mollis, Thalictrum and Japanese Anemones to extend the colour into autumn time.

  Hi Borderline, thanks for the suggestions. I've not seen many of those suggested elsewhere but I love the silvery foliage and bright pops of colour. I was thinking maybe some small ferns in the shade as well to provide some decent coverage. 

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• Adamlewis1 Posts: 6

  September 2018

  Fairygirl said:

  Hi Adam, in addition to all the great suggestions you've had, I was wondering what you intend to do with the central area? Grass? Paving?
  Just to add my thoughts - and maybe a curve ball - how about making a larger bed in the middle and planting that up? Perhaps a curved shape with another path for access etc, or a rectangular or square shape if you want a more formal look. That would give you more scope for your Med. planting, and you could add other features like water or statuary, depending on your plans and your needs for the space.
  A bit of height in the middle, using taller planting, can also give you a suggestion of 'something beyond' because it acts as a screen. It can also make smaller spaces look bigger. 

  Hi Fairygirl, 
  
  Thanks for the suggestions. I'd love to do something like that but we're about to have our first child so I think I need to keep it as lawn for now at least. In the future though, I'd love a central area perhaps with 4 quarters coming off it and planted out in paths. 

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• Borderline Posts: 4,700

  September 2018

  Adamlewis1, of course, ferns would work, especially in your east border on the left side. It's all about the type of look you want. My suggestions were a bit of a continuation of the sunnier borders.
  
  Other good ground cover for moist shade, think about Cyclamens for certain time of the year and Asarum Europaeum can gently fill out any gaps.

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