Does the thought of a stunning flower garden appeal to you? Follow these helpful tips and a gorgeous, colourful space can be yours...
How to create a
Borderline love
If you don’t have a full garden to dedicate to growing flowers, why not start with a border instead? There are many different plants that can be used, including bulbs, shrubs, biennials and herbaceous perennials. Hardy annuals are a great starting point as they are easy to grow from seed and inexpensive. At the end of the year, you can dig up the patch as part of a crop rotation plan and then create another bed elsewhere.
Choose a well-drained sunny spot. Growing these florals in raised beds will aid drainage. There are two methods that can be used for sowing a flower bed. You can either sow them in rows next to each other or, if you want to be more artistic, you can create patterns and interweave the plants. If you plan on using the latter method then it is best to mark out the pattern first in sand to avoid confusion.
Step-by-step: how to create a flower border
Get started with your very own flower border for the new season by following these simple instructions:
1 Choose a sunny corner of the plot with well-drained soil, and dig and fork over the ground thoroughly to remove all weeds and debris. Afterwards, take a garden rake and drag it back and forth over the soil several times to create a fine, level and crumbly surface tilth.
2 Give each perennial a good water and then plant them in the new border, ensuring that they all have plenty of room to grow. Once they're all in the ground, spread a mulch over the soil surface as this will help them to establish themselves and suppress weeds.
3 If you are raising borage and nasturtiums from seed, sow them directly outside and then thin the seedlings to a suitable distance apart. During the main growing season, remove all weeds from the edible flower border and water the plants in dry weather.
Planting throughout the year
At the beginning of the summer season, allium and flag irises are brilliant choices. These majestic beauties are the stars of the show. Underneath them it’s a good idea to grow scillas and late tulips. The foxgloves look wonderful – purple and white spires pop up every other year. The euphorbia looks splendid and the hostas and Solomon’s Seal are early foliage beauties that always attract fans. Peonies look their best in the early summer and most roses begin to bloom in early June, too.
