Mixed Border: How To Create An English-style Mixed Border?
The mixed border is one of the elements that contribute to the charm of English gardens. If you enjoy colorful and abundant blooms, you can incorporate this type of romantic flowerbed along your garden paths. We will explain how to create a mixed English-style border.
What is the definition of an English mixed border?
A "mixed border" can be defined as a country-style flowerbed where plants are matched by color. In this type of mixed border, the plants blend together without competing, and each element should remain visible.
As the name suggests, a mixed border is based on the principle of mixing plants but creating a certain harmony among the colors, heights, and silhouettes of the different plants used.
Unlike the straight-lined flowerbeds of French gardens, this wide, flowering border typical of an English garden retains a natural look.
How to create a mixed border?
To create a mixed border in your garden, you need to start by carefully choosing the location and composition of this flowerbed. Despite its somewhat wild appearance, the mixed border is the result of a well-considered design.
Choose a relatively flat area, preferably along a main path such as the walkway leading to the house entrance. A sunny location will allow you to plant a wider variety of plants.
Also note that this English-style flowerbed should be installed in front of a wall or a hedge of shrubs to highlight and protect it from the wind. A dark green evergreen hedge provides a perfect backdrop to showcase the profusion of charmingly British plants...
When the mixed border is edged by a wall, it is advisable to use climbing plants as a backdrop. Indeed, this plant composition is more complex than a simple perennial bed and includes several layers of different heights.
The principle of the mixed border is to create a carefully managed abundance of plants. To give it volume, it is important to mix several types and heights of plants, following a pre-established plan.
Even though herbaceous perennials make up the majority of this flowerbed, it is also necessary to integrate shrubs with a flexible silhouette, as well as annuals and bulbs with longer-lasting blooms.
What shape should be given to a mixed border?
A mixed border usually appears as a wide, elongated flower bed, positioned between a wall and a path or on both sides of a grassy walkway.
Typically, mixed borders have an overall rectangular shape. However, the front row of plants, consisting of the shortest species, can take on a sinuous shape.
Which plants should be used to create a mixed border?
A mixed border consists of a combination of perennial plants grouped together to form patches of color.
To achieve a nice overall effect, start by choosing a dominant color, then select 5 to 6 species of perennial plants, making sure to match the color of the foliage and blooms.
With full sun or partial shade exposure, you'll be spoiled for choice with yarrows, coneflowers, catmints, delphiniums, agapanthus, Oriental poppies, lupins, bellflowers, and asters, for example...
For bulbous plants, you can use irises, cannas, daylilies, fritillaries, and ornamental garlic. Shrubs also have their place in this composition, provided you choose species with a flexible and natural growth habit, such as smoke trees, abelias, spindle trees, roses, or ceanothus.
Finally, you can fill in the empty spaces with evergreen ground covers or low grasses such as sedge or fescues.
