The essence of mixborder
A mixborder is understood as a complexly composed bordering flower bed. Different types of plants are included within the boundaries of a single composition. On a single area they can connect together:
- annual and perennial flowers;
- shrubs;
- herbs;
- trees.
The composition includes clearly distinguishable specimens with different colors, sizes, and leaf formats. For the first time, such mixtures began to be created in France. The option is most widespread in traditional English gardens.
Basic rules and recommendations for creating flower beds
When organizing a flower garden with your own hands, you should adhere to certain rules so as not to end up with a chaotic planting. Creating flower arrangements is a real art. You can avoid common mistakes if you listen to the recommendations of landscape designers.
Choosing a planting site and soil
The choice of location is influenced by the size and shape of the flower bed. It should be clearly visible and not interfere with passage, passage, or walking of animals. The best place is the front part of the garden, the entrance to the courtyard. Flower beds made from perennials look great near the terrace or pool. In a well-lit area, even the most primitive plantings will look impressive.
Decorating a flower bed is a real art in its own way. Please note! All plants in a flower garden should have the same soil requirements. Fertile soil will be successful for all specimens
It must be fed with mineral and organic fertilizers.
Perennials do not require replanting and careful care compared to annuals. Plants that are well adapted to the region of planting will quickly take root.
Classic English
The traditional mixborder combines English stiffness, strict lines and natural freedom. Often these are mixborders with roses and peonies. On a single territory there are low-growing coniferous trees, flowering and green shrubs, wildflowers and cereals. Boxwood and thuja here successfully coexist with dahlias and phlox. The crowns of trees and bushes must be trimmed. Curly tops are welcome.
Do-it-yourself mixborder planning and design
A mixed flower bed is suitable for decorating garden paths
A mixed flower garden can be created almost anywhere in the garden. Mixborders are most often formed near the boundaries of the site, along the paths or walls of the house. Tall plants are better suited for landscaping fences and structures, and low-growing ones for placement in the center of the garden, as they are clearly visible from all sides. Paths, borders, stone elements and garden sculptures are used to create clear lines. They make the flowerbed complete and well-groomed.
It is important to consider the compatibility of plants. All crops for planting in the same flowerbed must equally tolerate light and shadow, this allows for high growth rates and uniform flowering
It is recommended to choose varieties adapted to the climate in the region to avoid problems due to lower temperatures. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the growing season and flowering period. All plants should bud in rows or bloom at the same time and wither at the same rate.
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Selecting the color of the components
Mixborders from perennials must be carefully shaped according to the color of the plants. The composition of the palette is usually subject to the following principles:
- Contrast. Plants of different color palettes are planted nearby. You can pair white with red, blue with yellow, pink with blue. It is important to harmoniously match the shades used.
- Monochrome. Components of a flower bed in a single color. Use the difference between similar shades. It is good to combine purple with lilac, red with orange, blue with cyan.
- Polychrome. Use several complementary shades. The green base and white accents that make up the masses in a single color scheme look good. It's important not to overdo it. More than 5 shades immediately creates diversity.
When forming a flower bed from annuals, it will also not be superfluous to adhere to the rules for selecting colors. If an unsatisfactory result is achieved, it is easier to correct the situation by replacing the technology in the next season.
The main stages of arranging a continuous flowering mixborder
First of all, you need to choose a place where the mixborder will be installed. This seemingly simple task is, in fact, very important. A mixed flower bed cannot be placed wherever you please. For perennial crops, the conditions surrounding them are very important.
Flower beds of free outlines should not be placed under the scorching rays of the sun or in damp, constantly shaded places. Everything should be in moderation. The optimal conditions for a mixborder of perennials will be open areas with moderate lighting.
Please note the following options:
- along the facade of the house;
- on a slight rise;
- on the edge of the terrace;
- as a living fence around the perimeter of the entire site;
- against the backdrop of the lawn;
- along garden paths.
The length of the mixborder is not limited, and depending on the types of plants, one part of it can be located in the sun, and the other in partial shade.
Determining the location
A border flower bed is made along the edge of something. It could be:
- house facade;
- fence;
- track.
The easiest way to build a mixborder with your own hands is at the base. A flower garden of this format is also planted on a slope. The absence of bright sunlight is important.
From perennial and annual plants
Option 1.
Mixborder of fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) of the onocleaceae family and impatiens walleriana:
Option 2
Perennial herbaceous plant Astilbe Chinese (lat. Astilbe chinensis) and Salvia (Sage) lush New Dimension.
Option 3
Purple petunias and morning glory (Ipomoea batatas), which in the West are known as sweet potato vines, can easily be replaced with regular morning glory.
Rules for combining plants
The correct choice of neighboring species is the key to the success of the design. It is important to select plants according to the following parameters:
- height;
- decorativeness;
- flowering period;
- features of care.
With the right approach, the flowerbed will turn out surprisingly coordinated. The plants will not wither, the plantings will delight you with continuous flowering.
Understanding how to make a mixborder correctly is important for any gardener. The flowerbed option is popular and easy to implement. Such a flower garden will be an ideal solution for different areas.
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Features of choosing perennials
When choosing perennial specimens for mixborders, it is advisable to take into account the following features:
- Compatibility of perennials. The selected plants should be successfully combined in color and size.
- Individual needs of plants. Before planting, it is advisable to study the requirements of the selected perennials for soil type, watering, frequency of fertilizing and lighting. It is not recommended to plant specimens with different needs in close proximity.
- Flowering period. It is recommended to plant perennials that bloom at different times to achieve almost continuous flowering.
Dense plantings lead to the fact that already in the first year after planting, some specimens die because they do not have enough space for normal development and growth. This nuance should be taken into account when forming a mixborder on the site.
English mixborders will help decorate roses
The choice of plants also depends on the style of the flowerbed. The classic version is the English mixborder. Almost any perennials can be planted in such a flowerbed. The main thing is that the selected plants combine well with each other.
The meadow mixborder must contain cereal specimens
The meadow mixborder style is popular among gardeners. In such a flower garden, only meadow perennials should be planted, which include cornflowers, bluebells, and cornflowers. An obligatory element in this mixborder are cereals (fescue, haretail).
Only garden plants can be planted in a rustic mixborder
Another popular style is rustic. It is worth choosing garden crops for it (sunflowers, dahlias, petunias, irises).
Photo of a beautiful mixborder on a summer cottage
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