Revamping a Border (Part 1)

16 comments

This year, ‘Devonia’ will be open under the National Garden Scheme on 19th August. Naturally, I would like everything to be looking good for then, but my main border in the back garden has deteriorated over the years. This is how it looked in 2015:

But by last year, things had changed and it wasn’t looking very good at all:

Something had to be done.

As this is the main border seen from the living room, I wanted it to look good for as long as possible, but obviously peaking for the middle of August. I decided it would have to be completely replanted this year.

I needed to see plants coming into growth so I could remove them before starting the revamp. As you may have noticed, spring was “delayed” this year, so it was not until a week after Easter that I decided it was time to start

Almost everything was taken out and put to one side. A few plants are moving elsewhere – a small bottlebrush (on the far right) was not enjoying life so has moved into a sunnier spot in the front garden, and those coloured primulas are now in a giant clump among some ferns

This included labeling everything to be re-used – all four heleniums look the same when they’re not in flower, but as they are different heights and colours, they need to go back in the right positions

Then it was a case of digging over the soil to remove any weeds and lingering roots, and adding barrowloads of garden compost

Before giving it all a feed. Six hours, tired muscles and an aching back later, this is how it looked

As well as replanting some of the original contents, I was adding a few new plants

Work started a few days later

Until eventually everything was in its new home

By now it was May, so everything should grow up fast and I will be able to judge if anything needs “tweaking”

4 Jun, 2018
11 likes

Comments

Eirlys

So interesting to see the all that work in progress. I am sure the end product will justify all those long hours of slog.

Be good to see a monthly catch-up.

4 Jun, 2018

Siris

You've worked hard, Andrew, have you also painted the fence? The green colour will set off those plants beautifully.

4 Jun, 2018

Andrewr

Yes, the old fence panels were beginning to rot so were replaced and painted too. Glutton for punishment eh?

4 Jun, 2018

Seaburngirl

that's a been a bit of hard work and it will look wonderful when it 'fills out'. In fact brilliant!

4 Jun, 2018

Dawnsaunt

We did a similar thing last year, you've done alot of work but it's so satisfying and you'll be relieved it's done and excited to see it develop, as will we.

5 Jun, 2018

Callie1914

Phew Andrew well done,what a lot of hard work,but its going to look lovely.

5 Jun, 2018

Dottydaisy2

I love revamping a border, luckily ours are not as large as yours! we shall need monthly updates please.but looks like a job well done!

5 Jun, 2018

Andrewr

DD - I went out earlier to take the next photo, but will wait until we have our Open Garden before posting the second blog. It's less than a month since the last picture and things have grown massively.

5 Jun, 2018

Dottydaisy2

Please do....good luck with your opening, ours will be a very wet one this year!

6 Jun, 2018

Stroller

Hope the aches and pains are gone and you feel when rested ready for the open day, I`m sure it will look great and well worth all the effort you`ve put in. Shall look forward to the next blog.

7 Jun, 2018

Linmar

Really interesting to see how bed is developing. I need to be as ruthless with some areas! Look forward to seeing more pictures. Wish you well with the opening and to hearing how it goes.

16 Jul, 2018

Pb123

When do we get Part 2? I'm longing to see what your border is looking like now!

6 Aug, 2018

Andrewr

The garden is open for the NGS on 19th August, so I'll write Part 2 around then. You will then be able to see whether my plans for it look good on that date worked out or not

6 Aug, 2018

Sarahp

You’re not far from me so I’m hoping to pop in on Sunday, I’d love to see your new border and get some ideas for height at the back , good luck for Sunday

14 Aug, 2018

Andrewr

Thanks Sarah - I look forward to meeting you

14 Aug, 2018