Design Your Own
Design Your Own: Beds and Borders
There can't be many gardens in Britain that don't contain flowerbeds or borders. Sadly, an awful lot of them are far duller than they need to be. Perhaps the plants are past their best. Or maybe they were never conceived properly in the first place. So, if you want beds and borders with a wow factor, check out the design principles we've assembled here.
Top Tips
- Don't place plants with widely differing growth rates in the same bed. The faster-growing plants may smother their slower neighbours.
- Raised beds edged with old railway sleepers or retaining walls give you greater control over the soil and involve a lot less bending.
Back to Basics
It seems obvious, but no plant will prosper in conditions it isn't suited to. The first step to designing a successful flower bed is to establish how much sun the location gets and what sort of soil it has. You can buy soil-testing kits from garden centres. Once you know how well your soil drains and whether it's neutral, alkaline or acid, you can choose plants to suit the conditions.Wondering which plants to choose? Our Plant Finder lists options for all soil types.
New Broom
If you're reviving an existing bed, only hang on to plants that are in good condition and that can be incorporated into your new design. Take advantage of the space you've created to work plenty of well-rotted compost into the soil. If you're creating a bed from scratch, use a length of hosepipe to mark out the shape. Smooth, flowing curves give a more natural look – and they're easier to mow round than tight angles.For more advice, see Creating a Border.
Our Programmes
In UKTV Gardens
Ask The Expert
| Celebrities
| Competitions
| Design Inspiration
| Design Your Garden
| Gardening Guides
| Grow Your Own
| Design Your Own
| Gardens News
| Lawns
| Message Boards
| Organic and Wildlife
| Paving and Decking
| Planting Up
| Plant Finder
| Plant of the Month
| Programmes
| Stockist Directory
| Sven’s Diary
| Water Features
