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Herbaceous Border Ideas

fliprollswfliprollsw Posts: 35
in Plants
I’m looking for ideas for a nice, medium sized herbaceous border. Does anyone have suggestions or photos of their own. I’m happy with the work of staking etc. 
Delphiniums, lupins, kniphofias, daylilies, eremurus, heleniums, oriental poppies, Turks cap lilies. 
I also have a separate border full of bedding plants
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  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    Can't make sensible suggestions without knowing more. Whereabouts are you, which way will the border face, soil type and pH, how wet/dry etc ? The more info can you give the better the answers are likely to be.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Can you tell us what conditions you have? Soil type, climate (particularly how much summer rain you get), how much sun and shade does the border get, is it backed by a fence or wall or hedge, is it overhung by trees at all, etc. You'll always get better results from plants that suit the conditions. As an example, I don't grow delphiniums here because the soil is too dry for them, but verbascums do very well. After that, what colours do you prefer?
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • fliprollswfliprollsw Posts: 35
    Good quality, draining but not dry soil, plenty access to dung if needed. South and South east facing, sheltered by a fence and no hedge behind it. Bordered by lawn to the front. Want a big statement when looking from
    across the garden. 
  • fliprollswfliprollsw Posts: 35
    Colours less important as would like random blobs across the landscape in groups. 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    It sounds as if you could have more-or-less anything! All the traditional herbaceous perennials things in the list in your first post should do well, lucky you!
    If you want colour for a long season, include some earlier-flowerers (lupins would be an example) and some later ones (eg asters, heleniums). Maybe add some bulbs in between your perennials when they become available in the autumn, for colour next spring.
    A quick google found me lots of ideas for planting plans, e.g. https://www.hardysplants.co.uk/rosy-s-planting-plans , https://www.thegardenshop.ie/herbaceous-borders-planting-plan/ and I'm sure there are more.
    Some nurseries sell collections of plants, e.g. https://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/perennial-plants/ready-mixed-collections ,but do check before you buy that they're going to be decent-sized pots - some sell little plugs that need growing on before they'll do much.

    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    If you want a statement to enhance your flowers Stipa Gold Fontane 7ft if happy.
    For drama plant in 3/ 5/ or/7 plants repeat elsewhere in the border.
    This border will look flat in the winter without the structure of shrubs but may be that is not a problem for you.
    Grasses such as Molinia Transparent can be placed at the front as a 'veil'. Calamagrostis Karl Foerster creates a great upright to show off Verbenas and Salvias. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • fliprollswfliprollsw Posts: 35
    Don’t care if it’s flat in winter as won’t be sitting out enjoying it! I do like big showy plants. Eremurus etc. Could add in some dahlias too. 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited March 2023
    Eremurus gives height but needs space around it.
    I think you need to write a long list and then seriously edit.
    You could consider just a high summer border if you have interest elsewhere in spring.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • fliprollswfliprollsw Posts: 35
    I hate geum and hardy geraniums. 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    The ultimate big showy plants are probably peonies, but the flowering season is short, and early for herbaceous plants. Maybe include a few for a burst of colour before the later flowering things get going.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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