How to create stunning garden borders - essential tips

Make your borders beautiful! Tips and advice from Tom Brown, head gardener at West Dean Gardens in Sussex. How to create lush, colourful borders without it turning into a mess.
West Dean Gardens are beautifully restored historic gardens with exciting and innovative planting. Open to the public for most of the year: www.westdean.org.uk/gardens
0:00 Welcome
1:50 Head gardener and garden writer Tom Brown / headgardenertom
1:52 What is the starting point for creating a border?
5:18 What percentage of a border should be perennials or annuals?
6:12 How many different varieties of plants should you have in a border to make it look lush, but not messy?
7:48 What plants mingle together well without turning into a mess
9:12 What is a good succession of plants for colour throughout the year?
10:06 List of plants to give you a succession of 'fireworks' in the garden
11:24 How deep should a flower border be?
11:57 How deep should flower borders be in a narrow garden?
12:59 How to plant a plant
14:55 Do we have to keep to the spacing between plants recommended on the label?
15:39 How to create natural patterns or drifts without it looking messy?
16:40 How can amateur gardeners get full, colourful borders like the ones you see in professionally run gardens? Is there one really good tip?
16:50 The white flowers are Astrantia major
17:24 The best tip is to mulch. That means putting a layer (5-10cm/2-3 inches) of garden compost, mushroom compost or soil improver on your soil once a year.
17:58 Tips on staking plants
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[@sibylc2908]

So many great tips in one video! The one about dipping your plants into a bucket of water before planting is one I swear by. I’ve had so much success using this one simple “trick”.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I've only just started trying it and the one plant I've planted looks very happy.

[@atrinder8944]

All things I want to know, but nobody ever covered.

[@victoriaring3846]

I’m a pretty savvy gardener and this was one of the best garden interviews I have watched!!!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@tammygarrett-williams2830]

♥️

[@handyvickers]

Agreed... You asked the questions that we all struggle with from time to time!

[@calebw2436]

As a young gardener (14) who is trying to redesign his garden I found this video very helpful. Extra tip: I have found that taking cuttings is the easiest way to propagate multiple of the same plant in different areas of the garden (and it's free).

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Cuttings are excellent for saving money.

[@Kate98755]

I can’t get cuttings to work

[@mmiller161]

This was one of your best videos. Interviews with really articulate, experienced professional gardeners are very helpful.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@canuckviolet3322]

One of the best people you've interviewed for practical, specific, and immediately applicable advice. Of course it helps when you ask all the right questions! Now to the garden to edit! 😁

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bglr2783]

Tom Brown appears to be very polite, respectful and professional. His advice are going to be really useful. Alexandra your questions were brilliant.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@marm2371]

I couldn't have said it better myself. I will add that he has a beautiful garden.

[@cambbrown6205]

What a generous gardener Tom is. What a very useful video, thank you both.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@claudiam8901]

Alexandra, this is gold! I so love your style of presenting information. It’s like flipping through a glossy gardening magazine- simply brilliant in content and presentation! I so love to come back to your videos again and again even though I watched them a couple of times already. Thank you for your time and effort! It’s such a pleasure and inspiration!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@Warwck24]

So true cld listen fr hrs

[@charlesprice925]

Thanks Alexandra, very nice. Tom was excellent. I'm retired USAF with PTSD. I took up gardening to help manage it. I was used to complex, overlapping, activities, and functions, that arrive at the same objective. Gardening does that at this stage of life on a much smaller scale. I was also used to professionals with expertise and experience providing exactly what was needed, when it was needed, succinctly and clearly, without fanfare, in a timely manner. I have made you one of my flight (team) for the simple little things that I do now.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad to be on the team, thank you!

[@colinstreeter426]

This is a particularly useful episode, Alexandra. So much sensible information and such a good overview.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@SB_McCollum]

Yes, that succession of plants recommendation is a real keeper, it will help me next year as I expand my beds out to a better size.

[@minekohinton6939]

This was like taking a whole semester course! Thank you so much.

[@belwynne1386]

One of your best ever! Tadpoles! That idea is genius and will be implemented straight away. Thank you. This was just wonderful.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I loved the tadpole idea too.

[@mmladyg]

Perhaps one of my top 10 favorite videos you've given us-- practical and engaging. Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@irairod5160]

This was wonderful! I especially liked his idea of counteracting the starkness of a long-but-narrow space by creating curved paths so that deeper and shallower borders alternate on either side. Beautiful!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It is a lovely idea, indeed.

[@inglishhomeandgarden8386]

Wonderful borders! And very good advice. I'd love to come back for a second view later on this summer. Thank you Alexandra - and Tom!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'm hoping to do just that!

[@KMJCAN1313]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Wonderful news. Thanks, Tom, too.

[@laurieanne9712]

I loved his language descriptions, too--what a delight! Thank you Alexandria!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@theresaholden7580]

The planting tips were an a-ha moment for me. Very informative information. Thank you for finding the best and brightest gardeners. This fellow is very knowledgeable and talented!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

He is, indeed

[@tingczhao]

Learned another thing from your video today. That is to water your plant before planting. Never did that before. Will start that practice tomorrow. Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I've started soaking the plant before watering, too.

[@stampinghippo7157]

Thanks again for all the hard work you put in your channel, Alexandra! These tips and advice are much needed here in my garden. And the borders look amazing.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@ashiola]

Wow, rich episode! Great guest, great convo! I could work several years with all this info!

[@Inloveofteags]

Another outstanding video from you Alexandra. Bravo! I would call this a crash course master class in creating a wonderful border. I'm a big believer in editing borders, something I've learned on my own; feels so good to get affirmation from experts.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@canadian-gardening-Zone6A]

Well done Alexandra! Thank You!

[@sharonmachin5112]

Really enjoyed this 👌 such a wealth of knowledge and interest.

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Great tips here. Love the idea of an undulating border in a small space.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thanks so much! 😊 Hope you're well and that the box blight is under control. Really awful problem and been chronic here for years.

[@SMElder-od5cl]

Such a wonderful interview. I learned so much!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nspector]

I see I'm repeating others, but this was absolutely wonderfully useful. You really are masterful at organizing information in a way that is concise, interesting, not overly technical, and inspiring. Much much appreciated.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@paulinedellar566]

I could have listened for hours. So interesting and informative. Thank you

[@kerryjean2223]

Wow... I think these may be the most pleasing borders I've ever seen. Excellent x

[@kerryjean2223]

When I plant, I definitely prefer smaller specimens. I dig the hole slightly bigger, put the rootball hard to one side, then backfill.

[@penelopehammerton2907]

Super interview Alexandra. Particularly useful as I been asking my self what now, after the Alliums and Iris have gone over. Know where I'm going now, thank you : )

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@juliekane1156]

Fantastic discussion, Alexandra! Lots of specific design tips - just what I needed this season as I rework a couple of borders. Thank you once again.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@uktouristdestinations1089]

I have come back to this video because I find it very useful to someone who’s recently started getting interested in English garden designs.

[@paulinewqi]

Great video with fabulous images of gorgeous flowers from borders of TomBrown's historic Dean's Garden. It a precious arm chair tour for me. Thanks to Tom Brown... Thanks to you for sharing...💝💐

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@FLlife]

What a treat! Tom was a wealth of knowledge - thanks for getting the interview and sharing !

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@joannereinauer7532]

Thank you so much that was very informative and watched it several times. Quite a bit of great information.

[@laura.redfield]

Oh my goodness! I absolutely love this episode. Tom definitely knows his stuff and this was an excellent interview. Thank you for sharing!! ❤️

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@kathleenreynolds6492]

Best interview yet! Very timely and practical advice with realistic actions that all gardeners can use. (Denver Colorado zone 5b. High altitude, hot, dry) Thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! Hot and dry sounds quite challenging.

[@kevinjamesparr552]

Good tip on plant roots in water first. Tom Brown School days, must have learned a lot

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It's an excellent tip!

[@rn2020]

Absolutely terrific episode. Full of practical and useful advice and information. This is one to watch again and again to make sure you have noted everything. Loved the borders too. If only mine were like that!! Thanks to the both of you for making the time to create this.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@suzannebartow6390]

Fabulous review for gardeners of all levels, thank you. The best review I have ever heard so comprehensive.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@peacelily720]

So much things to learn through a beautiful garden.

[@stevieb6173]

that was a fantastic interview and really informative , well done , as a as a qualified gardener myself it was refreshing to touch base with techniques again , thankyou

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, I am always so pleased when qualified gardeners like the videos or blog posts.

[@stevehiggins1263]

Great video and great advice. I find it incredibly interesting how some gardeners consider themselves amateurs compared to someone who has been to a horticultural college for 3 years or something similar. I maintain a garden for a lady who is a self taught, hobbyist botanist who is in her 70's and she really is an encyclopedia of information on plants, trees and shrubs. I think if I said she was an amateur I would be on the compost heap lol.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I think you would!

[@QueenAnnesLace13]

This was so helpful, this is the first time I have heard someone explain why you should dig a bigger hole to place the rootball, and why you should soak the plant before placing it in the ground. Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@ashmahembrom]

Your videos are always so informative and there's always something new to learn. Thank you ❤️

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@clairepreston9689]

What a useful set of rules/tips. An excellent contributer.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! Tom is so good at explaining things.

[@roslauchland4006]

Thank you Alexandra and Tom. Not a word wasted in this video! Everything useful, clear, informative. One of your best.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@Jpatmeadowbrook]

Great lesson on everything from planning, purchasing and planting all in one. Maintenance and trimming are the hard followup. Thanks

[@barbkenas5663]

Great video with lots of helpful information!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@fionanogawa1730]

Thank you again for such a useful episode, with so many good practical tips. And what a great interview style you have too - with questions that are compact, pithy one-liners!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thanks so much!

[@nelidascott6917]

One of my favourite post of yours so far ! What a ton of information and well-delivered advice from the head gardener, truly a very special treat for us novice gardeners. It's like sitting at the feet of a master. Thank you so much !!🥰🤩

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@francineh.7825]

This was wonderful information! Tom seems to be a true garden artist!!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

he is!

[@phylmashyna6945]

Excellent advice, so helpful, thank you! Definitely saving this video!

[@upnorth21]

I look forward to watching your videos, such an abundance of information! Thank you for sharing with us your experts and their knowledge for us on the other side of the pond!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thanks for watching!

[@convinth]

One of the very best of your videos, Alexandra. So interesting & informative.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much - I learned lots too!

[@nordlys3432]

Brilliant, Alexandra. Thanks for your work, knowledge, efforts and relationships with great gardeners.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@VancouverIslandgirl]

Great information, would love to see this garden in all four seasons. Thank-you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's a good idea

[@reneegibson8650]

This was my favorite video of yours Alexandra. Your questions covered every aspect of border gardening and Tom Brown’s answers were full of so much information that I actually watched the video twice. Thank you for making such an informative video.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@t.b.1596]

Excellent, excellent, and excellent. This video gave me a good foundation of understanding to start my flower garden. Thank you Tom Brown for your expertise. Everything you said make perfect sense and I can visualize the outcome

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@HellasGD88]

Loved this! thank u Alexandra!

[@GrannysGarden]

A very enjoyable video Alexandra and I loved listening to Tom Brown, such detailed answers delivered in a calm and articulate way. I picked up quite a few things from him. I've always planted drifts like ribbons, but his "tadpole" shape makes so much sense. I'll definitely be trying that one out. Any possibility of you returning there later on in the year? I would love to see how those borders progress. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! I'm very much hoping to pop back in a few weeks, weather and timeframe permitting!

[@GrannysGarden]

Great. Thank you!

[@jenniferpulskamp5592]

This is, by far, my favorite of your videos!

[@tanyastephens3187]

Really good tips here! Excellent video....thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@itsmewende]

Great advice right here, Thanks for sharing...again, adding to my save videos. That photo at 5.35 is the most gorgeous mix of plants I think I've ever seen.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you - I'm hoping to go back in a few weeks and see another gorgeous mix of plants!

[@bellboots]

Stunning gardens! Thank you!

[@cherylanderson3340]

This was just right. There's so much beauty here, at every turn. I felt further drawn in by your astute questions, & then looked forward to his well informed, generously explained replies. It's clear that all these inspired combinations have been cultivated by someone with a good eye for color & form, who obviously has mastered how to care for a wide range of plants, & then uses all his skills to create something that must be a delight, in its midst. Finally, I really appreciate that you've recorded these scenes & this interview, & have shared it all with us.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, I really appreciate your comments!

[@duke2011ful]

I follow a gardener in the US who uses products from Espoma when planting anything. There are a few varieties but I’ve used plant tone and flower tone this year and it has made a tremendous difference in how fast everything is growing. I especially think my flowers did not experience any shock after planting and instead immediately began flowering and were lush and vibrant.

[@laurasuitter2442]

Excellent discussion on borders! Great info and tips. I’m sold on compost! I feel it’s made a huge difference to my 2 year old garden. The growth is really remarkable.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

So glad you enjoyed it.

[@sr6001]

I’ll definitely be watching this one again. Really useful with some great tips! Thank-you.

[@lizmerritt2148]

Great information! He explained everything so well! Thank you

[@dwoodbury]

So informative and helpful. Thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@laurenb6451]

This was a REALLY excellent video. I need to watch it a few times. You asked great questions and the responses were realistic and practical. Thank you! 🌱

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@paulawalker9790]

A particularly practical video. Tom answered your questions with great clarity. Thank you, Alexandra.

[@miriambelanger7292]

By far the best and most useful video on gardening I have so far watched. Great job on presentation, beautiful slide show of an amazing garden. And great informative interview, both the questions and the answers, and the tips given. It was a real pleasure to watch it for the first time. An asset for reference.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@sweetpeasandyarrowaranchdi8327]

I feel like it's taken me 20 years of trial and error to figure this out and he just simplified so easily. Great information!!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@caroleworsley6206]

Thank you for your valuable gardening information, from a very novice gardener who is trying her best with my attempt at gardening. My husband and myself started working on our garden last year during first lockdown. We are enjoying the hard work so much. I feel alive yet switched off from things whilst in our garden, if anyone can relate to this feeling that I have. Once again thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, and I'm so glad you're enjoying gardening.

[@carolynclark8780]

My goodness! Tom Brown is such a wealth of really helpful design information. I watched this video four times before I felt I'd soaked up all I could get from your interview of him. Great content! And I especially appreciate your timestamped table of contents. Thanks so much.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@susanscott5518]

The BEST advice on how to plant a border I have ever received!! A real masterclass!! Well done Alexandra and thank you Tom. I shall come back to this video again and again!!!🌿🌸♥️

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@atefbasha1809]

Thank you so much..Thank you so much..that's very very beauty and a lot of great plants and a lot of VIDEO SHOW ME!!Together!!

[@monawolfe]

So informative, a lot of great information that’s hard to extract from books and very well explained. Thank you for that!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@lorat3084]

Wonderful video with great tips for this new gardener. Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nakedbananas444]

What great hands-on tips!! Thanks for this great video!!

[@moniquemckenna6795]

Fantastic video learned so much! Thank you Alexandria

[@LunchboxWorldCoUk]

I will definitely watch this video again. So packed with information! Love it! thank you!

[@eliev7844]

Alexandra, I’ve watched this video soooo many times! It’s an absolute gem and probably, one of the best ‘no fuss’ videos on creating a border I’ve seen!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@busarafirestone1180]

This is the best tutorial on borders I have ever come across!!! Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You are so welcome!

[@denisewax5396]

Thank you, that was just wonderful, so much good info👍 keep it coming, you are helping so many of us to refine our gardens😀

[@Tibetan2]

Excellent video! And what a treat to have session with a true master in his craft. Really loved this…

[@meredith3588]

What a beautiful border! Great tips, also. Will be moving a few things this fall with these new ideas.

[@Jpatmeadowbrook]

This was a great video for tips for an established garden. Thanks again for your inspirations!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@handyvickers]

Thanks so much, Alexandra... I could listen to him for hours! Can you bring him back for Part 2 sometime???

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I hope so.

[@Sarah_L_N]

This was an excellent video, thank you both!

[@philipgrant4127]

That was one of the best and most informative videos I’ve ever seen on perennial borders, thank you.

[@verawallace9055]

This is a keeper, very good advice, I have some tidying up to do, Thanks, both of you

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lesliekendall5668]

Thank you. This one had me looking up gladiolus that I knew were just an annual here but found out that there are hardy varieties that are perennials in my zone. 👍

[@laurieanne2791]

Leslie - I am in the US and in a zone 6a (Western Michigan) I have planted many gladiolus this spring with the thought they are an annual, however, my local gardening group indicated gladiolus are often a perennial here if planted near the house or on the south side of your property where warmth endures. The winters May indeed stunt the growth of the leaves and I am happy with this option. My glads are leaves only at this point in the season, yet they are lovely adding texture and shape to my gardens. As for longevity, I will report back! Happy gardening!

[@OliverJazzz]

Then again it's not such a big job to dig them up in the fall, I once accidentally found out the bulbs survive even in room temperature during the winter. 😄

[@alexandravladmets8206]

Very informative and exactly what I needed right now, thinking of what to do with creating borders :)

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@eileenchang2173]

Alexandra , this video is probably the only , and best information provided on planting borders! It is terrific timing for me as I have just started a new shade border this year! I always love how you put the timestamps in the videos, because it is much easier for me to go back and reference what I need to review.Thank you! 🌸❤️🇨🇦

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, it's so helpful to know what people find useful.

[@andreabriem853]

Such very good tips, help me to understand my garden

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@Onthesummit]

Absolutely breathtaking, such beautiful colour combinations and contrasting shapes.

[@kurthartle5473]

For an amateur gardener on a budget it's a challenge, and an exercise in patience, to propagate multiples of special species to achieve the repetition suggested. However, the notion of rhythm is a good reminder to step up my efforts.

[@rdoucette2953]

What a fantastic, informative video. I have been gardening in my location for more than forty years. I have learned more excellent tips from this one video than any other lecture I have seen. What an informative and practical man, who has the gift of explaining a broad topic, in a simple way.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's so lovely to hear, thank you!