Old-fashioned perennial borders for modern gardens

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Wednesday, 11 July 2007

If I say herbaceous border or perennial border to you, what comes to mind? To many people this conjures up images of gardens filled with colourful blooms all summer, only to become empty and barren of flower or leaf during autumn and winter. Many more of you will think of landlord's estate grounds, staffed by teams of subservient garden workers, who look after all the deadheading, pruning, staking, mulching, feeding, watering and division.

Now those impressions may have been the way perennial borders were thought of in the past, however, perennial borders today are somewhat different. They are actually seeing a bit of a mini revival. Homeowners who have become tired of the never-ending cycle of feeding, weeding and mowing lawns, have decided to decrease the size of these green areas. Instead, they replant them with colourful perennial or herbaceous plants.

This solution is suitable for a lawn that has become devoid of playing children, now mature and all done with lawn games, or for the homeowner who becomes sick of having the same mirror image lawn as his neighbour. I can tell you, there is nothing like a perennial border to change that situation.

Planting a new perennial border can really help improve your garden. The plants overall are much faster growing and softer in form than shrubs. It is also interesting to watch these new perennials grow and develop, often shedding their skin of last season foliage only to replenish it the following spring. As more and more of these perennial borders are finding their way into Irish gardens, I have decided to show you step-by-step, just how to create your own border with drifts of colour.

The first thing I would suggest when creating a perennial border is to become nosey. When out driving or walking, have a look into others gardens. You may see something you like or an idea you can borrow. Another good way to learn new planting ideas is to visit garden open days or gardening exhibitions.

When you have an idea of what perennial plants types you like, you can then select a point in your garden to position a border. Try to determine how much sun or shade your chosen location gets. It is best not to battle nature and force a sun-loving plant, such as Michaelmas daisy, to grow in an area that gets a lot of shade. On the shape of your border, try not to create a perennial area that is very narrow, as a wide border will be easier to maintain and look far more awash with lush planting.

Next week, preparing your soil for perennials.

Answer to last week's gardening brainteaser:

The perennial Solidago hails from the prairies of North America. Because of this, it prefers a free draining, somewhat infertile soil.

Here is this week's question:

True or false, a perennial is a plant that lives for just two years?

There are no prizes: this is just for fun and education. I will have the answer next week.

As well as his horticultural writing, James Kilkelly provides a garden and landscape design service based in County Galway. Contact him through his website www.gardenplansireland.com or alternatively by phone on 087-2067846. For free access to an incredible wealth of gardening information visit his gardening forum www.irishgardeners.com.

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