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The best border plants for every garden

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Alex, Staff Writer

Thursday, 27 May 2021

A gorgeous border is the perfect complement to any garden. But how do you know which border plants are best suited to your garden?

In this article, we will explain how to plan out the perfect edging for your garden, whether you’re looking to plant in an area that is flooded with sunlight or in a shady spot. Read on to discover the best border plants for every garden.

Why plant borders in your garden?

There are many different reasons that people chose to plant borders in their garden. Some people use edging to add different layers to their garden, helping it to feel bigger. Others simply like the look of borders, enjoying the feeling of plants surrounding their garden.

However, borders can also have a more practical purpose. For example, if your garden is overlooked by neighbours, you may decide to opt for a border made from tall plants which define your property border and provide privacy.

Edging can also be used to soften hard edges. For example, if you have a stone path, you might choose to line it with plants that have leaves and flowers close to the ground to soften the edges of the hardscape.

What should you consider when choosing edging plants?

Before you begin choosing plants for your garden borders, you’ll need to consider a few things:

  1. What are you hoping to accomplish with your edging? For example, are you trying to enhance the appearance of your garden or add privacy to your property?

  2. What space do you have available and what growing conditions does this space offer? For example, is it in full sun or a shady spot? Is the ground dry or wet?

  3. What are your goals for your garden? Do you have a theme or colour scheme in mind or are you looking for a low maintenance outdoor space?

Considering your answers to this question will help you to understand which plants will help you to achieve your goals.

How to choose the right border plant for every area of your garden

Not every plant is suitable for every area of the garden, so it’s important to consider your growing conditions before choosing your border plants.

Any plant can be used in a border, although classic edging plants are low-growing plants that form the lowest tier of landscape design. However, the plant will need to be suited to the area in which it is being grown.

Border plants for full sun

If your border is situated in a sunny spot, or your garden is south facing, you’ll need to choose border plants that are happy to grow in full sun.

Examples of border plants that grow well in full sunlight include:

  • Creeping juniper

  • Ice plant

  • Chamomile

  • Zinnia

  • Daylily

  • Agave

  • Yellow alyssum

  • Angelina stonecrop

Border plants for shade

If your border is situated in the shade, or your garden is north facing, you’ll need to choose border plants that are happy to grow in the shade.  

Examples of border plants that grow well in shade include:

  • Aloe vera

  • Lenten rose

  • Hosta

  • Virginia bluebells

  • Begonia

  • Impatiens

  • Trillium

  • Geranium

Hire a Gardener

A border can add a new dimension to any garden, whilst defining your boundaries and adding privacy to your property. However, it’s important to choose the right border plants to give your edging the best chances of success.

If choosing the right plants for your border is leaving you confused, hiring a gardener could be the perfect solution. A gardener is perfectly placed to advise you on the best plants for every area of your garden, whatever your growing conditions.

If you’re ready to hire a Gardener to create your dream borders, find one on Bark. 

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