designing your planting

The basic principles of planting design are quite easy! As a bsic guide for beginners, you can layout your Borders using these 5 simple steps for a well designed display.

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Step 1- Choose 2, 3 or 4 Structural plants...

These will usually be large shrubs, climbers, or even dramatic grasses. They will provide a backdrop to the flowery plants, providing coloured foliage to complement the flower colours.

There is of course no reason that they shouldn’t be attractive in their own right, but they must primarily provide all important structure. Examples include Ceanothus, holly, fatsia and choisya.

Step 2 - Choose 2, 3 or 4 Ornamental plants...

Smaller shrubs, architectural perennials, climbers and grasses fit here. These are eye-catching when in flower, but will still be attractive the
rest of the summer. Examples include cotinus, agapanthus, hellebore
and rose.

Step 3 - Choose 2, 3 or 4 Decorative plants...

These are the borders highlights giving it their all for a one off show. They have a shorter season of interest, relying on flowers rather than
the shape of the plant for interest. Examples include brunnera,
clematis, iris & campanula.

Step 4 - Sketch out your Border

Sketch out some ideas on a piece of paper to arrange your chosen plants into a plan. Always try to use groups of plants in odd quantities - 3’s, 5’s or 7’s create the most natural looking border.

As a rule, try to place taller plants (fully grown) to the back of your border, the smaller ones towards the front to achieve a well balanced scheme.

Step 5 - Arrange your Plants

Place all your plants onto the soil to arrange them before planting - remember to take into account the final size of the plant (shown on the plant care label) when placing them next to others, each will need a different amount of space.

Some more good tips...

Remember, for the best results try to aim to place contrasting forms and textures next to each other.

Try soft feathery grey foliage against large shiny dark green leaves, or use tall upright flower spikes to contrast with round flower-heads.

Of course, bulbs and annuals can be added as extra highlights, especially whilst the garden is still new, to add short term interest. These won't interfere with the growth of perennial plants and shrubs.

Try to cover a range of Flowering & Berrying Times for year round colour and don’t forget Scent.

Well Watered plants are great for damp areas, or look out for the drought tolerant Water Wise plants if you have regular hosepipe bans!

Open this How To guide as a PDF and print...

Click the Icon to open this How To guide as a PDF document and print out...