Having a pick-your-own garden and vegetable garden is already fantastic. Unfortunately, there is little to nothing to do in the winter months, which means you often end up with bare and empty spots in the garden. Too bad, because borders with perennials or mixed borders you can easily solve this problem. This way you have something to experience in the garden every season and you make a positive contribution to biodiversity.
What about the location of the border?
If you want to create a border, you must of course first suitable place find in the garden. Take a good look at the spot you want to create: is it located in the sun or shade? Is the ground rather wet or dry because it is situated a bit higher, for example? Is the piece of border shielded by a wall or fence or is it very exposed to the wind? These elements all have an influence on the creation of the border. Certain plants grow well in a sunny spot, while others only do well in the shade. Some plants can tolerate wet feet, while others prefer a bone-dry location. So take a good look at the spot and especially look at what is possible. Planting shade plants in a sunny spot unfortunately has no point in the long term, the plant will become weaker and eventually die. A waste of the time and money you have invested. Consider a sustainable solossification: place plants that are suitable for the location in your border. The right plant in the right place.
How do you start creating a border?
Once you have found a suitable spot in the garden to create a border, you can start prepare of the ground. Make sure the ground is free of waste, such as rubble, and is free of weeds. Work a generous layer of compost into the ground, so you can get a good start on the border. Compost improves sandy soil, because it ensures better water storage in the soil and releases extra nutrients. At the same time, compost also improves clay soil, because it provides air and better drainage in the soil. In short: compost is the best soil improver for creating a border. But when do you start creating the border? There are several moments during the gardening season, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Creating the border in the autumn. Autumn is the best season to plant a border. The ground is still warm from the hot summer months and the plants can take root before winter comes. Some plants die above ground in the winter, but because of their strong root system they start growing quickly in the spring. If you planted your border in the autumn, most plants will already flower during the late spring and summer months.
Creating the border in the spring. This can be useful if you want to plant a lot of frost-sensitive plants. This way you certainly don't run the risk that the young, less strong plants will freeze during their first winter. Note: borders that are created in the spring must be watered often.Keep a close eye on the weather forecast and have the garden hose ready.
Our favorite perennials
Echinacea or coneflower. A beautiful prairie plant that is very attractive to butterflies. It grows upright and also retains a beautiful winter silhouette during the winter months. Do not prune it before or during the winter, small birds like to eat the seeds. When it freezes, a beautiful layer of frost always forms over the flower heads.
Ornamental grasses give body on a border. Some species can grow very tall, which allows you to create interesting height differences in the border. Just like the Echinacea, do not prune them before or during the winter. Ornamental grasses have a beautiful winter silhouette and small insects make their hiding place here during the coldest months.
Nepeta or catnip is indispensable in the border. This low-growing bloomer is a real bee magnet. During the summer months this plant is loaded with insects due to its small, lilac flowers.
Astilbe or plume spirea. This amazing bloomer brightens up every shady spot in the border. They have lush green leaves and beautiful plumes in white or pink. A real asset to the border.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to list all our favorite plants. There are so many beautiful and useful species: fortunately there is something for everyone. An important addition to this short list are flower bulbs and annuals. Do you have a gap in the border? Then you can fill it perfectly with annuals. This way you quickly have a beautiful filler and color in the border. You can also add many fine elements with flower bulbs. For example, there is already a lot to experience early in the spring: think of snowdrops, small crocuses and daffodils.
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In this video, Angelo shares his tips and tricks for creating a successful flower border.
What are the elements of a successful border?
A border can be beautiful and interesting all year round. Provide a beautiful element in every season and choose the flower colours that you like. In the winter you can give colour and shape to the border with snowdrops, a beautiful Helleborus and striking winter silhouettes. In the spring the spring bloomers bloom the roof off and in the summer the dahlias steal the show. In the autumn everything starts to become a bit quieter in the garden, but the autumn asters can provide colour accents. Look in every season what you like.
