How to plan a flower border - top professional tips

[@ev1677]

For any new gardeners who are feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the information and advice and what not to do's, just plant the things you like and learn from the process overtime and hone your craft, that's the most enjoyable thing about gardening!

[@nightandaypp]

Hi Alexandra. Somewhat to my surprise, I have started following a number of British (and Irish) youtubers who do videos about gardening. I am living in Finland and not all species or even tips are applicable here, but still I like the encouraging atmosphere of your and others' videos. I know it's maybe not your speciality, nor even in the range of your interest, but I'd be happy to see some overwintering tips of plants that don't survive in ground in colder climates. I have discovered many plants through these videos and have started growing them, even from seed. Gaura lindheimeri and verbena bonariensis, to name a couple. I managed to get five gaura plants to flower from seed through extensive period of sewing, growing and finally planting them in. Now I would like to take the roots and overwinter them to replant them in the spring, but I simply do not find information on how to do it in my climate or reality. So I pull every string I can to get even some hints. But it's ok if you don't, I'll keep watching anyway.

[@zacharysimon2952]

“Gardeners learn by trowel and error” is one of my new favorite lines! Thank you for another great video.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! I was rather thrilled when I discovered the saying as it completely sums up my approach to gardening.

[@hagenmaikel]

Great video! I would also recommend if you’re planting a new (bare) part in the garden, to consciously plant it over the course of a full year or at least from early spring to late fall. If you’re buying all plants that your garden center provides in one go in early April for example, you risk having a border that looks a bit tired already by late summer. If you spread your plant purchases throughout one full growing season you will have something in flower all spring, summer and fall for following years as well.

[@nelidascott6917]

Wow ! Great advice ! Thanks !!👍🥰

[@georgiacinq-mars1899]

Oh yes, happened to me!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's an excellent point! Thank you.

[@verawallace9055]

Am almost there Maikel, last year i have something blooming from Spring to fall, only disappointment was my pansies, couldn't get those seeds going

[@hagenmaikel]

@@verawallace9055 Good job! 😉 It’s been a process for me as well but definitely on my mind when I replanted our entire backyard last spring. I’ve never tried sowing pansies myself. My best guess is that they’re a cold season crop and might be a bit fuzzy about (too warm) conditions after germination? Winter sowing might be an interesting experiment for pansies.

[@mjday7982]

So glad to see you again. You are one of my favorite garden advisers because you are so generous with your knowledge and have wonderful guests. Missed seeing you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much! And I missed doing videos, but had to take a break - so glad to be back, though.

[@jeromegagnon8335]

Yes!!!!!!! Finally!!!! My favorite show is back on. I hope you had a good rest, but we missed your show!

[@paulinecrispin121]

Hi, yes really missed you videos. Understand that you needed a break

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! I would have been back earlier but got a bad back so had to take a longer break than planned.

[@jeromegagnon8335]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden totally understandable. 😊

[@jeanieling7296]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden I hope you weren't pot-wrangling, like those two speedy fellows in your last container-scaping video. : )

[@JustinJohn-j4r]

I love the British gardening channels most. The accents and the great adherence to tradition and shared knowledge of horticulture is inspirational. Kudos from America.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@JustinJohn-j4r]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Wow! Is this really you? Keep up the good work. Greetings from Long Island, New York. Cheers, Justin

[@joycecooper3290]

Good to have you back Alexandra, and excellent advice.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@juliabinford6500]

Your videos stand out because you provide depth of information about garden design. The work you put in to travel to other gardens and provide thoughtful interviews is impressive. Now you have to find work arounds to maintain safety... I’ll continue to look for your videos!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much! And, yes, the current situation is challenging, which is why I ask my interviewees for a strip of video they've done themselves, and I'm also using footage that I've taken previously. Planning to try recording a few Zoom interviews next!

[@RoseMary-vs3io]

I loved Posy Gentles's advice at the end, "don't plan it all, give yourself a shape, and certain things you like going together" this has been my garden from the beginning and I love it, great video thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! I agree, I've never personally managed to plan any of my borders from start to finish, they're always evolving (or surprising me).

[@philipwilliams5808]

Just what we need! Thank you very much. We have just started to lay out a new big flower border. We always enjoy your posts.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@Cassieskins21]

Same here! I can't wait to fill my new border with all sorts of goodies.

[@philipwilliams5808]

@@Cassieskins21 I wish Utube let us message as I have a long planting list I could share.

[@penelopehammerton2907]

When I decided to transform my small garden, which is fairly wide but not very deep. I started with a white and green section drifting into white with pale pinks and yellows. Then a centre bed including yellow and a little white, lavender, and stronger light purple colours. Then the last section which included warm colours oranges, reds, strong yellows and purple blues. Alstroemeria Indian Summer a show off in this area was fabulous. Not saying this is good planning, but it is working for me, drifting across my garden the colours increase in intensity. Thank you for your ever welcome videos. Happy New Year.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you - and that does sound beautiful! Happy New Year!

[@GrannysGarden]

Thanks for the video Alexandra. It's great to get different insights on how garden designers plan their borders.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@LittleJordanFarm]

I do like..I have 3 acres I'm wanting to create different types of gardens on. I'm very thankful for tips and ideas

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Three acres sounds wonderful - you'll be able to get quite a few garden types in!

[@kimjapinga6550]

Thank you so much for this video. As a novice gardener, pulling together a cohesive garden is daunting. This video is very helpful in understanding the key components. I almost feel like I should take art classes to understand shape, color and composition before tackling a garden! I appreciate all your work in bringing these videos to us. They are informative and interesting.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much. And don't feel daunted by your garden - the plants want to grow and it's fine to make a few mistakes. I've made lots and continue to do so!

[@Ibis333]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Another thing that shocked me as a novice gardener to discover is that no decision is permanent. One can actually !move! plants later if they don't work out where you first put them, either because of conditions or for reasons of design/composition. I'd gone into things thinking that once I planted something it was either going to be there forever or it would have to be removed, destroying it in the process. It's been a great relief to find out otherwise.

[@kimjapinga6550]

Thank you for the encouragement. I am looking forward to spring to get back into the garden.

[@TheOmmW]

Just got into gardening 🪴 new hobby I picked up with my grandma lol

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Welcome to gardening!

[@amyjones2490]

I enjoyed this very much. The blue and peach/yellow border was amazing!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@AnnMarieKing]

Welcome back, Alexandra! This was a dream video for me - love my borders as you know ... thank you! Wishing you and family a safe and prosperous 2021!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! A safe and prosperous New Year to you too!

[@Neldidellavittoria]

Good to see you again, Alexandra. Happy new year!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you - and it's nice to be back. Happy New Year!

[@caroleprete2367]

Your channel is bursting with great foundational information. Each video is so packed that I find I need to watch each one several times just to absorb it all. I so appreciate all the links too that provide hours more of education. This pandemic has taken so much from my life but it sent me the love of gardening. These fundamental principles help one understand why a beautiful garden looks so beautiful. It’s simple but absolutely necessary. Thank you for creating this journey for us.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that.

[@hellohouselovers1747]

Great advice.....and so happy my purple & yellow idea for the front was validated by Lee!!!!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Purple and yellow in the front should be great! So sad not to be seeing you all this year.

[@hellohouselovers1747]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Yes! This year.....

[@sudhirchopde3334]

November flowers,must be Mediterranean..bloomin dahlias!! Thanks for the support!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you too!

[@samarajarosh1038]

Insightful and inspirational.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@andrewradgick4424]

My tip - plan for early interest and late interest especially. The rest of the growing year will tend to look after itself, but by concentrating on the start and end of the growing season, you can extend the period of interest for as long as possible

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I think that is an excellent point - someone once said to me 'plant for the winter, because all gardens look good in summer.'

[@maryanna6302]

Great advice on color and pattern. To get more plants, dividing your own perennials is fun and a good moneysaver. It would be fun to see some demonstrations on this and also on how to best transplant volunteers. In particular what to do when the plant is a bit large or stubborn. I have resorted to using an ax. Maybe the best advice is don't wait too long before dividing or transplanting!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You're so right! Last year I did this video on dividing Iris Sibirica, which are one of the most stubborn plants to divide. All I can say is that I think that when you see it done on TV, they must divide the plants first and then push them back together again. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4XEi4ukesiXe7M

[@maryanna6302]

Yes indeed, I think so too! I'm now placing my iris bulbs in a more remote section of my back garden so even if I neglect to divide them when they need it, it's less of a worry.

[@SMElder-od5cl]

I love seeing Posy's own garden!

[@Kylie4Queen]

Welcome back! I’m actually planning my first ever flower border now, so this is incredibly helpful, especially Garden Ninja’s advice about color. Thank you

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheEnthusiasticGardener]

Great tips and tricks as always Alexandra!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thanks so much!

[@TheEnthusiasticGardener]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden 😍

[@jcking6785]

What a wealth of useful information! Well worth a second and maybe a third re-watching.

[@barbll000]

Excellent video and very informative. Thank you so much for all the time and energy you use to create these videos. They're top notch.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@beckyscheller9358]

Just give it a go! Love it!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@chamalismith]

I love Lee! This has been fantastic, thank you Alexandra, it's given me a lot to think about xx

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kathleenblundetto1624]

Wonderful advice!!🌸🌿

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@robertbaker9775]

Could you be a little bit more specific, please, about how deep you plant your bulbs in order to plant annuals above them? I'm a beginner with bulbs and don't know anything! Your gardens are so very beautiful, and I truly appreciate your wealth of information! Many, many thanks for sharing your love of gardening! 🌷 Linda in Houston, Texas

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! When I started planting bulbs, I was advised by Sarah Raven to plant tulips as deep as 12" because that makes it harder for squirrels to dig them up and also seems to encourage them to come back. It's all a bit 'trial and error' (or 'trowel and error' as gardeners might say) because some bulbs seem to come back well but others don't - even if they're the same bulb types. I've also noticed that some of my bulbs work themselves deeper and others seem to emerge onto the surface. I'd suggest seeing how it works if you plant a few inches deeper than it says on the instructions - the roots of annuals are often quite shallow and they work themselves around the bulbs.

[@robertbaker9775]

Thank you for your very explicit instructions for planting annuals on top of bulbs, Alexandra! Isn't it awesome that we can communicate so easily when we are almost 5,000 miles apart! I will let you know how my "trowel and error" experiment goes with narcissus bulbs and pansies this spring! Your kindness is appreciated so much. 💛💜 Linda in Houston

[@nuruzzaman4893]

Just what I needed for my planning of a border.

[@emmalavenham]

I think it is especially important in a large flower border to incorporate scatter planting. It not only looks more natural, it helps tie the space together, particularly if you are planting perennials (and shrubs) in drifts...

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Very good point!

[@liamvnbw]

Your videos are always so wonderfully informative and interesting. Great work!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you very much!

[@leonienolan511]

Wonder clear information , love this channel , thank you 😊

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@jeanieling7296]

So glad to see you back . January needs you ! Currently forcing magnolia stellata branches & buds in a lovely green bottle where the light shines through. Stuck a few bud-twigs in with a healthy orchid, and some small dry hydrangea blooms as well. These and my gardeners online will get me through the winter. : )

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! The magnolia stellata sounds beautiful. And dried hydrangeas are my favourite.

[@sarahfox3312]

Great video. I’d love to see an episode on various out buildings like potting sheds, green houses, tunnels etc and what they’re used for on a practical level and examples of what goes on and when with these structures. Also are they necessary, useful or can we get away with not having them.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Oh, yes, excellent idea. I'll get onto it, thank you.

[@MeadowlarkMystic]

I really enjoyed this and appreciate your tips. Although I thought the Garden Ninja had good content, the way the camera was held for their segment made me feel motion sick! I appreciate the good steady camera of your videos.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it! And thank you for the comments.

[@alizacooper2937]

More great tips!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mariedeyo7399]

Hello and nice to see you again Alexandra 🙂 great Video and to a time where we all start to plan the plants and beds for this year. Today my new raised bed came in the mail and in germany the hardwarestores are closed and I was thinking what seeds are still in my gardenbox and what I have to mail order or get some other way. What veg I want to grow and flowers to ad in my borders. So this was just right again. Thank you so much. Stay safe and take care. 🌷

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much! and it's lovely to be putting out videos again, glad it's helpful.

[@georgiacinq-mars1899]

Missed you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Ah, thank you - and I missed all of you too! But I had to sort out a very bad back as well as taking a Christmas break, getting much better now.

[@Cassieskins21]

You've got me all excited for the spring! Please do a video on how to prepare for the spring and what types of plants can be bought now for us gardeners that can't wait to get stuck in. Thanks!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I will give that serious thought!

[@dougandcandacebishop7259]

Bravo, Alexandra, of providing a wealth of info as well as incorporation a wide set of experts! Thanks so much.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@beautygrowshope]

I love planning borders at this time of year! Thank-you for sharing your tips!

[@tim7589]

This is an excellent collaborative video. Something that seems to be becoming your trademark! Thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! I find it so interesting to work with garden designers and head gardeners - they have such good insights.

[@nelidascott6917]

What a great and helpful video !! Just had my garden done and planning what plants to put on it and this post just gave me some confidence to tackle that ! Thanks ! 🙌🏼❤️

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bethechangebath7663]

Really enjoyed this. Thank you. I would like to know more about trees in borders.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good idea! Will think about that.

[@evelyngriggs8356]

Really too much information to take in in one video. I think I’m quite knowlegible and experienced but I could not decide what was being advised. This would have been incomprehensible to a newcomer to gardening or to someone who wants advice to develop an existing border.But it’s good to see you back!

[@eviekleinwhittingham9237]

Dear Alexandra, it's so great to review basic principles in garden design. Lots of fun watching 3 contributors with visuals. I've been gardening for years in Ontario Canada, but last year we moved to southwestern Ontario Zone 5b/6a to a property on a small/med sloping corner lot with no landscaping aside from lawn, a chopped Norway Maple (invasive to our region), and a few lovely perennials. We've utilized the no-dig/sheet mulching method for 3 flower beds and the veg garden. For design we''ll be planting big to small, trees and shrubs down to perennials, annuals. bulbs and ground covers. Many gardeners here use winter sowing outside to start perennials and hardy annuals from seed using translucent plastic containers as mini greenhouses. Is that a thing in the UK? Even tho' our native plant options are different from yours and we have colder winters and hotter summers design principles are transferrable. Keep bringing it on! Evie in Ingersoll, Ontario

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, and you are so right about the design principles carrying over a wide range of zones. I think most people here are using mini greenhouses rather than translucent plastic containers, although that does sound rather tempting. There's also some use of cloches, and of course heated propagator trays by windowsills.

[@lanipowell7287]

You are always so informative and encouraging! Thanks for another great video.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@suzetteccc]

Thank you Alexandra. What a wonderful guide with great ideas. I never thought of using annuals as fillers after the perennials.👍🏻So many other useful tips. 💚

[@catherinedugan8065]

I’m so happy to have found you - your blogs are excellent- thank you! My one ask, could you linger on the pictures a bit longer. I love what you share and would like more time to take it in & think.

[@jeanieling7296]

lol I pause & pause my favorite images, then watch straight through , eventually. That's the wonderful thing about videos, they can move or stand still at my whim. The purple monochromatic gardens, and the mostly green topiaries and hedges always cause me to pause. I can amble and dawdle in the middle-sized garden for an hour from the warmth of my ruby-colored sofa.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's a very good insight, and I have been thinking about that myself, so you have encouraged me to go for it. thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

thank you!

[@fionaseath3591]

Glad the videos are back 😃 I always look forward to the weekend vids. Such good information x

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you like them!

[@carolinepartridge668]

love your vidios since I discovered your channel. Thank you.

[@nowirehangers2815]

That amaranth was lovely. I have been going back and forwards about planting one.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

me, too, I've planted amaranth in several years and have always been glad of it. But sometimes I just forget about it.

[@nowirehangers2815]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden i might give it a try next spring.

[@donnabilling3061]

Thank you. Really inspirational video which is especially welcome in these difficult times

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@allaboutrap1]

Wonderful video! Thanks 😊

[@wildflyingdove]

Loved this!

[@peggylee6086]

What a wonderful video ! Thank you for the great tips.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You are so welcome!

[@naomiweaver1855]

I really like buying and planting exactly what I like, and to me it’s successful. I don’t set out to do a specific thing or plan.

[@hossenfeffer8383]

Excellent video, many thanks.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@nowirehangers2815]

I have an aversion to orange. I do not know why.

[@josephinebrevig8748]

I follow Lee on KZbin, The Garden Ninja, .he's such a darling. I'm such a fan.

[@far3v]

This was very helpful!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BeautifulOaks]

I’d like to see a video about focusing scenic views in wide angle or framed. I would like to see how that’s applied using plants or creative means to blockout buildings in the lower forefront from a hillside view of a valley. Thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Interesting, I will certainly think about that.

[@alangomez7592]

Min 13:33 do you have a full video on that green house and the garden around it? Wow!!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Yes, this is it. It's been such a popular garden kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6m5qYh6oM6qjdU

[@jeanp5395]

Alexandra...love your videos, they are so informative and inspiring💕🌷. Please...do you have any information on ridding a grass lawn and perennial flower beds of MOLES ??? My husband and I are at a loss...the moles leave destruction in their wake😢

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It's quite a problem. I don't have moles myself but everyone who has them seems to find them an absolute nuisance, and I've never heard anyone come up with the final solution - so sorry not to be more encouraging. If your neighbours have similar problems, maybe you could all club together on pest control and reduce the number in the area?

[@carefreedelight2355]

Might be helpful to have a look at the bed rather than the Ninja’s lovely face/ b- Just saying! I know it’s late November, but it’s nice to see

[@gardeningjunkie2267]

Wonderful video. I'm still hoping you'll have John Lord on one of your videos, hopefully soon. He's amazing and has more energy than any gardener half his age.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'd be delighted to.

[@nspector]

Holy cow that bit of Great Dixter at 9:36. I had to stop to comment. I'm...dumbstruck.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Great Dixter is always a revelation!

[@pauwerwoman1247]

Oooops I have a pick and mix garden

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

me, too, often! I have another garden designer friend who calls it a 'fruit salad garden', but the important thing is that you enjoy your garden, not that it follows rules (which may be very good rules, just not to everybody's taste!)

[@pauwerwoman1247]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden haha indeed! That's encouraging 😊 thanks🌷I'm happy with it, and the birds are too🤗💕🐦🐦🐦🥳🌈

[@trendingnow3912]

very helpful garden tip, im going to roll around in my garden as so as i can, lets be youtbe mate ?

[@katharinedavis4947]

We can't see the flowers because he is centre stage ! K

[@hobbitlady7568]

I'm sorry...but I don't enjoy the colors together in the Garden Ninja portion. The purples and pinks bother me together. Just my two cents.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's OK - everyone feels differently about colour - I sometimes think it's quite helpful to see something and to know why you don't like it.

[@adriennecalhoun7351]

Show the flowerspls. Not enough pretty flowers.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you for the input.