The border surrounding the garden gives it personality and style. It takes years to get the border into some kind of perfection. Creating a good border certainly is not a piece of cake; it requires patience and a flair for combining form, colour and texture.

Historically, border planting is a very English thing. What began in the 17th century as a way of edging a walk, slowly became a garden style in its own right. Gardeners arranged various plants    mostly perennials    into cohesive compositions. Giant, colour-based gardens were rich and sumptuous and labour-intensive. Today's more practical mixed border, which incorporates small trees, woody shrubs and all types of herbaceous plants, has been popularised by gardeners around the planet.

Drawing the Line

Borders should play off a hedge, wall, fence or other background. The point in planting a border is to paint a picture and a picture needs a frame. This device, however you decide to employ it, will command the average viewer's attention, more than the rarest plant collection in the world.

Border Crossing

Choosing plants for a mixed border is purely personal. A person is limited only by imagination and circumstances like soil, sunlight and zonal restrictions. Use plants with contrasting habits. 'Habits' refers to a plant's behaviour and how it presents itself to the world. Does it shoot straight up, form a tight clump or sprawl in every direction? Clever plant juxtaposition lies at the soul of good borders. Combining a dense, fleshy-leafed plant with a loose, fine-textured one creates tension that rivets the eye. Further, repeated plant forms, colours and combinations make a border appear balanced and cohesive.

Above all, cover the ground; allow things to weave, tumble and meld. Have fun, break the rules and never be complacent.

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