How to create a perennial border | Garden Design and Inspiration | Gardening Australia

Jerry plants his version of a perennial border, using beautiful and lush plants perfect for the subtropics, instead of the traditional cottage garden choices. Subscribe 🔔 ab.co/GA-subscribe
If you've got a dull spot in your garden that could do with some pizzazz, perennials might be the permanent solution.
A perennial border is simply a display of perennial plants. Perennials are long-lived, but unlike trees and shrubs, don’t have woody branches or a trunk. Perennial borders are often designed for strong visual impact, usually in the form of flowers, but they can also feature seed heads or bold contrasting foliage for some real razzle-dazzle.
They have a long horticultural history, rising to prominence in Victorian England. Due to this, plant choices are often focused on herbaceous perennials that peak in summer and die down in winter. However, in a warm, subtropical climates these plants may not be suitable, and instead, you can choose from a wide range of plants with year-round bold colour and interest for a stunning garden feature.
Jerry’s plant selection suits a sheltered, lightly shaded position in a humid, frost-free climate. Autumn is the ideal time to plant perennials, as this is when stock is readily available and the soil is warm, allowing plants to establish quickly and gradually fill out through winter. Early spring is next best!
Prepping the bed:
First, choose what to keep and what needs to go. Some plants can be transplanted in and out easily, others you may need to work around. Perennial weeds and large roots should be removed before planting.
Check the soil pH to ensure it is within a neutral range. Slightly acidic soil is suitable for most perennials, but Jerry found the soil here to be very acidic. He raked in a handful of dolomite per square metre 2 weeks before planting to get it just right.
Refresh soil by fluffing up the top layer with a fork or shovel. Add plenty of aged compost and manure.
The art of a good layout:
Make a statement! The ends of borders should have a standout, accent plant. Jerry has chosen a jammy mouth with unique orange flowers for one end and a striking cycad at the other.
Arrange in groups by size, with tallest at the back and shortest at the front. Jerry has selected plants with strong structure and foliage for the background, including variegated crinum, calathea and shell ginger. In front goes smaller, shrubby or clumping plants such as white candles and walking iris.
At the very front, low-growing, compact catnip and Moses-in-a-basket are used as a living edge.
Care & upkeep:
Water well immediately after planting unless there’s plenty of rain around. Mulch thinly with sugar cane or similar straw-based mulch. This helps keep the roots cool over summer. Compost and mulch should be topped up at least twice a year and use a liquid feed regularly during the growing season to keep up with all the growth.
Some plants will grow faster than others, so a regular check and prune is needed to keep up appearances. Plants such as the shell ginger will form a large clump over time, so you need to divide and replant or share the surplus. Short-lived perennials like the catnip will need to be reinvigorated by taking cuttings or saving seeds to grow a new generation.
This border is more than just ornamental, Jerry has selected plants that will provide food for bees, butterflies and birds, along with a few Queensland natives to give it a sense of place.
Featured Plants:
KURUME AZALEA - Rhododendron cv.
FLAX-LILY - Dianella sp.
JAMMY MOUTH - Ruttya fruticosa
GIANT CRINUM - Crinum asiaticum var. pedunculatum ‘Variegatum’
WHITE CANDLES - Whitfieldia elongata
WALKING IRIS - Trimezia gracilis
- Alternanthera ‘Plum Dandy’
FISHTAIL STRAP-FERN - Microsorum punctatum
MOSES-IN-THE-BASKET - Tradescantia spathacea
(Check before planting: this may be an environmental weed in your area)
SHELL GINGER - Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’
CATNIP - Nepeta cataria
AIR PLANT - Tillandsia cv.
Filmed on Quandamooka, Turrbal & Yuggera Country & Brisbane, Qld
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[@sydneykasmar]

I love perrenial borders. This one is gorgeous. I'd love to see it again early next summer.

[@SUPP-M.F.]

Those plants will grow so well down south❤❤

[@aussiebushhomestead3223]

So appreciate Jerry's segments for those of us in tye subtropics.

[@wildchook745]

Great video, Jerry.

[@GardeningAustralia]

Glad you enjoyed it