8 Beautiful Border Plants + Expert Planting Tips!

Brilliant garden border plants to plant now to fill a gap - plus useful planting tips from the experts who grow them.
If you buy your plants from the people who grow them, you'll get expert advice and help. The Plant Fairs Roadshow is a collective of independent plant nurseries, who organise plant fairs in beautiful gardens around South East England. For the price of admission to the garden, you can buy from a wide selection of nurseries, each an expert in the type of plants they grow. So they can give you the best advice.
00:00 Welcome
00:27 The Plant Fairs Roadshow: www.plantfairsroadshow.co.uk/
00:36 Ramster Hall www.ramsterevents.com/
00:51 Steve Edney www.thenonamenursery.co.uk
01:12 How to plant in dry soils or dry climates
01:34 How to plant plants that have been grown in peat-free compost in pots
02:33 Lamium orvala (spotted deadnettle)
03:48 Geum 'Pink Petticoats'
05:07 Paul Seaborne of Pelham Plants: pelhamplants.co.uk/
05:20 Planting after a very wet spring, especially on heavy soil
06:10 Geranium maculatum 'Spring Purple'
07:55 Annie Godfrey of Daisy Roots: www.daisyroots.com/
08:10 Geum 'Mai Tai'
08:38 Nepeta 'Cat's Pyjamas'
09:18 The Plant Fairs Roadshow at RHS Chelsea Flower Show: www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/r...
09:50 Graham Blunt of Plantbase: www.plantbase.co.uk/
10:24 Spirea 'Pink Ice'
10:44 Erica caffra (Water Heath)
11:35 Miles Hayward of Miles Japanes Maples: milesjapanesemaples.co.uk/
11:46 What NOT to plant in spring
12:41 What you need to know about buying trees in pots
14:30 Dan Cooper of Dan Cooper Garden: www.dancoopergarden.com/
15:20 WoolPots (available from Dan Cooper Garden)
16:30 Rob Hardy of Hardys Cottage Garden Plants: www.hardysplants.co.uk/
16:49 Veronica 'Tissington White'
18:15 Tom Brown on how to create a stunning border: • How to create stunning...
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[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Lots of people are asking 'what's the blue/purple shrub behind the plant experts?' It's a ceanothus! I meant to label it and forgot.

[@mellfraze8112]

Ceanothus is a native shrub here in Northern California, they are stunning through our hot dry summers.

[@liammullan2197]

I love the way you pick out the salient points from the conversations and summarise them in a few words on-screen. I find that very helpful, thanks!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@LouciferFlump]

It reminds me a little of my Uni days…it’s like a really smart way of revising!! 👍🏻😉

[@donaldauguston9740]

Alexandra, your vlogs are exceptional! I deeply appreciate the variety of topics you present and the individuals you interview. There are so many excellent gardeners that just don't have vlogs so when you interview them, we all win. Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@gardentours]

So cute how the robin came to the table 🌝

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

He was so sweet

[@scolexuk]

I have one complaint about your videos -- they always leave me with a long shopping list! At this rate, I'm going to need a bigger garden :^) Thanks again for such well-presented expert advice.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@constantinaolstedt]

I wish we had those kinds of fairs in Sweden...it would be great for small independent growers..

[@junerenfer8211]

Touched my heart to see your dog shopping for plants with you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

We love taking him wherever we can, although he is still mentally a puppy so can be a bit of a hazard!

[@lesliekendall5668]

Oh my gosh, I just looked at the seed packet of geraniums that I ordered and it's the maculatum! Those ARE pretty. And speaking of pretty, I don't think I'll ever get over how pretty you look in that scarf! AND NOW with the purple coat! Just gorgeous.

[@hmc9354]

Incredibly helpful. Honestly, the best gardening video of all time. Thank you so much.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@janereel1903]

Great idea of a plant road show! I always love Steve Edney's insights. The English robin is adorable. Quite the social bird! I learned the difference between English robins & U.S. robins from Paul T's Garden videos. Very useful information & thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, the robin was so sweet

[@jobeejay8201]

Great presentation and thank you for asking those questions - may be obvious to some but most helpful to those like me who are constantly learning! Keep up the fabulous job, Alexandra !

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@MyFocusVaries]

Thanks for the great plant tips. I love geums. Such a beautiful flower.

[@RosyHardyGardening]

Oh look its Rob Hardy in a youtube video! What a lovely upload as always :)

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! And didn't he do well! Lots of lovely comments about Tissington White.

[@juliepardo7767]

Learned so much from these discussions. The wool pots are genius!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@LifeHomeandGardenwithAnaRica]

Thank you for a great advice.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@user-oc7nx2rt6n]

Another wonderful video - relaxing and informative. You really have a knack of bringing out the best in the people you interview. Thanks!!!!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@nicholasmarshall3191]

This is the best gardening vlog hands down. ❤

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@patsyriggs3915]

Very useful advice to shake off peatfree compost before planting. Thanks

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@geraldinefields1730]

Thank you.

[@cerridwencottagediary9194]

Thanks Alexandra, an interesting and imformative video as always. I have put Geum Mai Tai in my cottage garden for the first time this year and love it. It has a lovely soft and subltle apricot colour

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It's very pretty, I thought.

[@maryanna6302]

The Hardy plant in the last interview is so lovely, in the right location the blooms would be stunning!

[@Mig29now]

Well, I've been using various garden centre in Birmingham for over 45 years many have been consumed by bigger corporations. They've gone to the dogs by and large, staff are really thick with one or two exceptions, they know 'not a lot' about their products and much less about horticultural matters.

[@LouciferFlump]

Omg tell me about it! What’s happened to the big chains that used to be the stalwarts of garden shopping? The state of their pitiful range of plants these days! All they have in them is gas BBQs, deck chairs and comedy greetings cards!!! 🥴🤥

[@Mig29now]

Just plainly gone downhill, very poorly trained staff mostly, yes plant range not so good now, you have to travel to specialists nowdays to get sound and good advice. Big chains are interested in big £££s only. Public seem to put up with this dumbness.

[@LouciferFlump]

@@Mig29now yes, the boring mainstream who want a BBQ, 4 chairs and a card for their Granny’s birthday! I voted with my feet, never go in them anymore, haven’t been in a Dobbies for example in over a year!

[@Mig29now]

Hi again. Yep, they're pretty much a sameness now. Imagination has gone mostly, not much knowledge about like there used to be. I recall years ago many many Birmingham gardens (like elsewhere) were council places, but lovely gardens to be found everywhere, but now nice gardens are in the minority, i find when looking about. Still a few nice gardens about but not like there used to be. Sad i find, decline commonplace it seems.

[@LouciferFlump]

@@Mig29now yeah, agreed!

[@stephanieestep7529]

Excellent advice from Dan Cooper! I’m now learning that I’ve crowded my borders and am having to relocate some plants :)

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'm always over-crowding too, it pushes out the more delicate plants

[@susanlindsay1071]

Look forward to your posts. Thank you

[@elainemarcavage2619]

Love this show, admire your instructions, appreciate your advice, all this means I love you...

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@laurelsayer7557]

Particularly enjoyed this week's video. Loved the recommendations, the growing tips, and the reminder to look up what plant fairs are scheduled to be held near me.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikelson1988]

Great video with valuable info as always. Thanks a lot😊

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@marlenetunbridgewells2597]

Learnt a lot again- thanks!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@SpanishEclectic]

This was wonderful! I'm so glad the odd looking 'air pot' was explained! And that little bird got it's 30 seconds of fame, lol. Conditions even within a single garden can vary so much, so information from all of these gardeners was helpful. I did balk a bit at the nettle, as I've yanked out a ton of the stinging ones from my garden this year...every time I think I've gotten them all, a new one pops up in a flower pot or crack in the pavement, and I must resist the urge to grab it without gloves. Love the "Cats Pajamas". :)

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! And don't worry about the 'nettle'. It's a 'dead-nettle' or Lamium and isn't related to the stinging nettle (Urtica), although the leaf shapes look similar. I know what you mean about wanting to grab it without gloves, I always think 'it's just a tiny nettle, it won't hurt...ouch!'

[@franconianable]

Thanks again. Very interesting as always!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@user-cz9mx4km5h]

Another very good video, thank you.

[@barbkenas5663]

Great video, great info!

[@inspiringgardenkorner]

Great information at the right time. We are ending spring and I want to start planting perennials that will be in my enchanted garden

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That sounds lovely!

[@juliashearer7842]

So many great tips in this video, thank you.

[@anneconoulty4722]

What a great start to spring gardening for all of us. Thank you. Enjoyed my garden last weekend in the sunshine, peonies & roses blooming , lots others, just love it.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@anniemars]

Wonderful!! Just what I've been needing. Thank you 💐

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@annathomas9423]

I actually went to Hardy's the other day and bought the tissington white! It's a beautiful plant 🌿

[@DownButNotOutYet]

Good morning Alexander, I just love these garden fair's. We can get the most wonderful information from these growers. Are those Geums not stunning? Such a beautiful flower and the colour is absolutely amazing. So many marvellous plants the individual growers have shared with us and they are all exquisite. I know the Erica's are so hardly, look at those fine leaves, that is the secret of those plants!! They are almost like needles. There are so many wonderful plants that we can choose from, and they are cheaper than a movie ticket, and they last it seems forever when taken care of. There is just so much joy in the plant world not forgetting those essential garden tools and the woollen pots are just the bling now. Just amazing the video was as good as ever, thank you for showing us new or hardly plants to choose from, as you know I am in S. Africa. but I just adapt according to climatic conditions. Our summers as quite harsh especially when the rain holds back, then it becomes a nightmare for us gardeners. Needless to say you are looking good as always, it has to be Nature that brings out the beauty in you/us. Many blessings, kind regards, Elize.

[@stephaniemaddalone5290]

Excellent video. Wish I lived in the UK.

[@bigtomatoplantslover6205]

What a lovely Flowers Like 845 My friend thank you for good sharing. Have a good relationship 😊

[@lindamurns1245]

Have a wonderful mother's day 💕

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thanks so much

[@PatriciaG99]

Excellent! I think I may have the Tissington - will investigate. Lots of good recommendations so I will need to rewatch. Thank you Alexandra

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@palmtide]

Helpful tips.

[@stephaniejohnson4703]

Ahh I bought the veronica tissington white last week from RHS shop because I was so drawn to it! Great to hear the story behind it and a bit more info before I plant it out! Thanks :)

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I thought it was beautiful the first time I saw it, and now that I've heard it clumps out, I'm very interested!

[@BeautifulOaks]

Fascinating Airpots

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

They look great.

[@janyshendrickson3833]

Have never heard of "wool pots", just a brilliant idea! Thank you for another one of your educational videos, I always learn something valuable.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you like them!

[@dianepuskas6362]

So informative! Thank you

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@LoriSavingWild]

sweet brave little bird.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Wasn't he? He 'helped' us unpack, but I didn't have the camera set up then.

[@LoriSavingWild]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden So cute and so glad you acknowledged her/him because isnt that why we make gardents in the first place? So we can be one with Nature and all of its sweet wild friends? Lori

[@twpsy634]

Robins have such amazing connections to people.

[@lesliekendall5668]

Goodness, THANK YOU Steve, I never paid any attention that my dry shady spot is also slightly SLOPING. No wonder everything dies there. I'll try again with the "bowl" planting.

[@LouciferFlump]

I have a section of my garden that’s severely shaded on a steep embankment covered in deciduous trees! This tip really does help things that can tolerate the conditions to establish tremendously. I can vouch for it!

[@GardeningatDouentza]

That's a great video. Great tip about the peat-free compost and also the tree planting. I will have to ignore the tree planting info though as I'll be planting 3 in the next two weeks. Thank you, Alexandra.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Ha, ha, I think Oscar Wilde said 'the best thing to do with advice is pass it on.' Happy planting!

[@zonabrown9241]

Gr8 advice on peat free they tote this as the greatest thing since sliced bread

[@MyFocusVaries]

Peat free compost is saving peat bogs from being mined, thus preserving key habitats.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I think the industry is clear about saying that adapting our growing practices - and getting the best formulations - to gardening peat-free will take a bit of time, but there are countries who have never gardened with peat-based composts, such as Australia, so once we've adapted, it will all work out. But the main point is that the peat bogs only renew themselves very slowly and they are a valuable habitat, so it makes no sense to use peat in our gardening.

[@zonabrown9241]

@@MyFocusVaries totally agree wihyou

[@MyFocusVaries]

@@zonabrown9241 in Vancouver BC Canada Costco this year, they had a peat free organic potting mix, so we know the idea is catching on.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

Preserving peat bogs is vital

[@smiley9872]

Hello again!

[@GabbyGocher]

I love your videos ! :-) Thank you 4:59 ! ☘️🌿

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you like them!

[@heatherw.2751]

I have been trying germs for the past 2 years and can’t seem to keep them alive. I was told they don’t like to be kept moist but the 2 experts in this video say the opposite. I will try giving them more water when we’re not getting rain. Hopefully I can succeed this time around! 🤞🏻 Coastal NC ZONE 8b.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Mine have certainly been better this year, we've had lots of rain, whereas last year we had a dry spring and they looked a bit sad

[@heatherw.2751]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden thanks for the tip! We have been super dry this spring so I will have to keep an eye on the soil moisture and supplement water when needed.

[@lipotrimloser]

Wonderful contributors, the wool pots are amazing.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

They are!

[@kerryjean2223]

I have the most magnificent Blue gum tree that Serendipitously came up in a pot out the back that was most certainly root bound and planted the whole contents of the pot out the front not expecting the tree to do anything. How wrong was I. My next door neighbour is none too impressed.

[@lisab.6818]

Hi Alexandra. I saw that you brought your pup with you, who is really getting big and gorgeous 😍. Loved the interviews and wondered if you could tell what the purple blue shrub or tree is that is sitting behind your guests? Thank you from across the pond.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It's a ceanothus. I meant to label it and forgot. Ozzie is definitely quite big now!

[@tawanajeffries3610]

Is there a way of getting lists of the plants in a specific national collection? I’m in the US so I’m not to familiar about these collections but I do find it very interesting. Thanks

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

There are some lists of plant collection holders - you could try contacting the collection holder as I imagine they would have a list. Here are some resources:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_Collections_Network and members.publicgardens.org/plant-collections-network/ (both US) and www.plantheritage.org.uk/ (UK)

[@olsonlr]

What is the blue flowering shrub behind the guests?

[@OldBlackCow72]

Hi there, I believe it is a Ceanothus.

[@stephanieestep7529]

I agree, Ceanothus. We call them California Lilacs in my neck of the woods.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Yes, ceanothus.

[@alejandro26_]

Hola, Alexandra: sé que me vas a entender porque hablás español, así que te mando saludos desde Córdoba, Argentina. Tu tocayo.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Saludos desde Kent!

[@LouciferFlump]

Oh dear, I’m a serial overfiller!!! 🥴I really must try the bung a few annuals in the gaps tip! Top tip👍🏻 I’ve been having a dreadful time with peat free composts recently. Oddly enough regarding the soil thing, as part of my experiments, I’ve been mixing my peat free compost with shop bought top soil and my own leaf mould & finally I have found a recipe that keeps everything from Violas to French Marigolds to Toscana Kale to Hostas alive and thriving. For me, it’s the cure for very hit&miss peat free compost mixes! They’re all so confusing, what’s in them? Why are they so crumbly and seemingly bereft of nutrients? They really are a problem. I think some of them are actually worse now than when they first came out??!? I switched as soon as they became available & I’ll swear down I didn’t used to have as many growing failures in the early days…🤔

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It's been very difficult for the industry because it's been hard finding a formulation that works and is environmentally sound (ie coir works well but is imported from thousands of miles away). And yes, you're right that formulations have changed and continue to change. Part of it is us adapting to a different way of treating our composts, but your mixing strategy sounds like a good one. But Australia, for example, has never used peat based composts and has a thriving horticultural industry, so it's all possible.

[@LouciferFlump]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden oh yes, I mean it’s not like I disapprove of them, I applaud them, but the mixes wildly vary so it’s a bit frustrating! 🥴

[@revvend]

00:40 good grace anyone can tell what that pink thing is sooo chock full of flowers???? 😍😍😍

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Rhododendrons and azaleas - don't know the variety but that's what they do in spring.

[@1Kent]

Through the whole video I could not stop looking at the light purple plant in the background, what is it?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It's ceanothus - I meant to label it and forgot! But everyone wants to know.

[@1Kent]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden I've just bought the Evergreen variety, Concha. Thank you.

[@lornaprice3748]

Hi Alexander, I remember you posted a very good video on the way you make your videos , and your advice on the different equipment that you use. Are you able to tell us what the name of that video was thanks 😊

[@shirleywittering9698]

I have Yellow dead nettles called Archangel, it’s become invasive, never used to be.😢

[@pollywoggarden]

Could you tel me what the tree is that Miles Hayward has with him?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I think it was a Paperbark Maple

[@catacombcatholic5571]

Alexandra, somehow I am not able to click the thumbs up for this video "8 Beautiful Border Plants". I click and the hand disappears?!?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

oh, dear, I'm not sure why that's happened. But thank you for trying. Let's hope the glitch goes away soon. But thank you for telling me, it's useful to know in case there is something I can do.

[@Flower_hoarder]

🪴Lovely 🪴Informative 🪴

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it