Are you looking for the best plants to fill your narrow borders? Whether you have a long, thin garden or just a narrow strip of soil, there are plenty of plants that will thrive in these tight spaces.
From evergreen shrubs to colorful perennials, these are some of the best plants for narrow borders. Read on to learn more about each one and how to make the most of your narrow space.
Benefits of planting narrow borders
,Creating beautiful, lush gardens in small areas can often be a challenge. However, this challenge can be overcome by planting narrow borders. Narrow borders are a great way to make the most of a limited space, while still creating an attractive landscape.
Not only do they provide a pleasant visual appearance, but they also have many other benefits. Narrow borders are low maintenance, making them the ideal choice for busy homeowners who want a landscaped garden without the hassle of upkeep.
As the borders are narrower, it’s much easier to reach all parts of them and keep them clear of weeds and other unwanted vegetation. Narrow borders take up less space than traditional borders, meaning you can use less resources when creating them and save on costs. The best plants for narrow borders include perennials, bulbs and evergreen shrubs.
Perennials are perfect for adding colour and interest to your garden. Bulbs are ideal for providing spring or early summer color and can be in flower for months.
Evergreen shrubs provide a pop of color all year round, while also providing cover and a haven for birds and other wildlife. Selecting the right combination of plants for your narrow border is key to creating a successful landscape. Overall, planting narrow borders is a great way to enhance your outdoor space while still keeping maintenance low.
With careful selection of plants, you can create stunning displays of color, texture and scent that will give your garden the wow factor throughout the year.
Types of plants suitable for narrow borders
When it comes to planning an outdoor garden layout, it’s important to consider both the area of space as well as the design elements at hand. For those who have smaller outdoor spaces such as narrow borders, selecting the right plants can be key in creating a lush, inviting outdoor oasis.
When choosing plants for a narrow border, the most important factor to take into consideration is their size and growth potential. A short, ground covering perennial that grows to a width of one foot or less is an ideal choice if you’re looking to add colour and dimension to a narrow border. A few great plant choices include Violas and Pansies, Iberis Perennis or Candytuft and Ground Cover Thymes.
Each of these reaches a maximum of 12” in width and 12” to 18” in height and won’t take up too much room in a narrow border. You can also create a vertical focal point with a stunning flowering vine or tall grass. Try climbing hydrangeas, clematis, or ornamental grasses, such as Miscanthus sinensis or Panicum, for a wonderful backdrop that can add a unique charm and focus to your narrow border.
Another way to creatively spice up a narrow border is to add evergreen shrubs, such as boxwoods, dwarf Alberta spruce and yew. All of these shrubs offer a lush, green backdrop that is also low maintenance and very hardy.
This can add a polished, professional feel to your garden while not taking up too much room. Well-chosen plants and clever design of your narrow border can bring the best out of small spaces, resulting in a beautiful and inviting outdoor oasis. When it comes to gardens and landscaping, there’s no one size fits all prescription; start with what you have and make the best of it!
Tips for planting narrow borders
Narrow borders are a great way to make the most of the limited space in a smaller sized garden. While large plants can be difficult to fit into these spaces, careful selection of the right plants can create an abundance of beautiful, low-maintenance color and texture without taking up too much space. Here are some tips for choosing the best plants for narrow borders.
When planting narrow borders, it’s important to pick hardy plant varieties that are better suited to the area’s climate. This could mean looking at drought-tolerant, native species that may be more resistant to any local pests or diseases.
Supporting local wildlife and pollinators is also an important consideration, as these offerings will attract beneficial insects to your garden and help to create a vibrant atmosphere. As there isn’t a great deal of space, it’s best to look for plants that stay small and compact. Herbaceous perennials such as Veronica or Geranium rozanne can be great choices as they have a low-growing, compact habit but deliver plenty of colour throughout the year.
Similarly, species of grass such as Stipa tenuissima and perennials like Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’ can lend both textural interest and a burst of bright colour. To add even more interest to the border, edging plants like ornamental grasses, hebes and lavenders can soften the edges of the border, giving it a much more natural look and feel.
Finally, to ensure the plants get the best start in the narrow border, make sure you add a layer of compost or mulch each year to prevent weeds from forming, as well as a healthy feed of slow-release fertiliser. By choosing the right mix of plants, you can create beautiful and unique borders for your garden, bringing structure and colour to even the smallest of spaces.
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Bottom Line
Narrow borders can be tricky to fill with plants, but there are a few great options to choose from. Groundcover plants, such as ivy, are ideal for narrow borders as they spread quickly and can fill the space with greenery.
Shrubs, such as boxwood and lavender, can also be used to create a low-maintenance, low-growing border. For a splash of colour, consider planting perennials such as daylilies, daisies or lavender. With careful selection and planning, narrow borders can be transformed into beautiful and vibrant garden spaces.
FAQ
What are the best plants for narrow borders?
Some of the best plants for narrow borders include dwarf shrubs, ornamental grasses, and low-growing perennials such as hostas, ajuga, and sedums.
What are the benefits of planting in narrow borders?
The benefits of planting in narrow borders include increased space efficiency, improved soil drainage, and better air circulation. Additionally, narrow borders can be used to create interesting visual effects, such as a winding path or a series of steps. Planting in narrow borders can also help to reduce the amount of maintenance needed, as plants are more easily accessible and can be pruned and weeded more easily.
What are the best plants for small spaces?
Some of the best plants for small spaces include succulents, spider plants, peace lilies, aloe vera, pothos, and ferns.
What are the best plants for creating a privacy screen in a narrow border?
The best plants for creating a privacy screen in a narrow border are tall, fast-growing evergreen shrubs such as Thuja, Leyland Cypress, or Arborvitae. These plants can quickly create a dense, living wall that will provide privacy and block out unwanted views.
What are the best plants for creating a colorful display in a narrow border?
Some of the best plants for creating a colorful display in a narrow border are annuals such as petunias, marigolds, and impatiens; perennials such as daylilies, coreopsis, and coneflowers; and shrubs such as butterfly bush, hydrangea, and azaleas.
What are the best plants for creating a low-maintenance border in a narrow space?
The best plants for creating a low-maintenance border in a narrow space are low-growing shrubs, such as boxwood, lavender, and rosemary, as well as evergreen groundcovers, such as creeping phlox and vinca.
