Let's discover the art and science (sort of) of growing border shrubs. We'll look at the best shrubs to grow and share some great tips to ensure your new and existing borders look stunning throughout the year.

Digging out a border is something most of us will do and a filled out border can make such a difference to any garden. Colourful borders make a wonderful contrast to a formal lawn but they also provide all year round interest to any garden.

Narrow, wide, in the shade, basking in full sun, plants only or with carefully sited structures. Your border can be anything. One key component of any border is, unsurprisingly, the plants and shrubs. Choosing the right shrubs is down to personal choice but there are some shrubs which are more suitable for borders than others.

While anyone can plant a border there are some tips and techniques which you’ll find useful no matter how experienced a gardener you are.

Having said all that, let's look at our top choices and tips on growing border shrubs.

Q&A and tips on growing border shrubs

What shrubs are suitable for small borders?

If you have a narrow or short border you need to choose plants which can thrive without overwhelming the space. Dwarf varieties like Spiraea japonica, with its incredible blossoms, aromatic Lavender which is an absolute pollinator magnet, and the old faithful, evergreen Boxwood will all do the job without quickly growing out of control.

How do you plant a full border for all year colours?

Plant in layers and choose a good varied selection of plants. Go for a mix of shrubs like dogwood for its colour, evergreens like holly for winter foliage, and throw in a few flowering plants with staggered bloom times like Azaleas or Hydrangeas. The idea here is to have a continual display of colour and interest.

How do you fill a narrow garden border?

In confined spaces, go high. Tall plants not only add height of course but they fill a narrow space so much better. Elegant Columnar Junipers, combined with climbing plants like Clematis is a nice mix. Vertical borders will make the most out of your available space and are really useful to fill a narrow gap between fence and lawn. This type of border also has the added benefit of screening the fence.

What should I plant in my borders?

For a good looking border you have a couple of options. You can go for a balanced mix by incorporating flowering shrubs like Rhododendrons along with structural plants like Boxwoods, and add ornamental grasses for texture with some nice blooming perennials for ongoing colour.

Your second option is to go for the approach I like. Throw in anything and everything and see what happens. The result is usually wonderfully chaotic with a bulging border of mixed and colourful shrubs with you never quite sure what’s going to pop up next. Not for everyone I know but why not give it a go.

What is the easiest flowering shrub to grow?

So many to choose from and everyone will have their favourites. But try Forsythia. It really is easy to grow and very pretty with lovely yellow blooms. It really puts you in the mood for summer when you see it flowering. And, as I said, it will thrive with minimal fuss, making it a great choice for every gardener.

How wide should a shrub border be?

It very much depends on the space you have available of course and a border can be fitted almost anywhere. But a width of 4-5 feet is probably the optimum width you want to go for. This will give you plenty of room for a multi-layered planting scheme including low-growing ground covering plants, mid-sized flowering shrubs, and taller plants as the backdrop.

How do you create a low-maintenance border?

We all want an easy life don’t we? Borders are wonderful but like everything else in the garden you need to work hard at maintaining the plants for it to look its best. That being said, yes there are things you can do to minimise the maintenance work you have to do. Choose hardy shrubs that are drought-resistant and impervious to the madness which is the British climate. Put down plenty of mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture and keep weeds down.

How can one ensure healthy growth for their border shrubs?

Regular pruning, adequate watering, fertilising, and keeping on top of any pests. As gardeners we know that you can’t just plant and forget. No matter how much we’d like to. But careful and regular maintenance will keep your border looking its best.

When is the best time to plant a border?

To be honest I’ve planted borders as late as mid-August, but early spring is probably the best time to plan and plant your new border. The weather will be cooler and the round will still have plenty of moisture to help with establishing new plants.

How to turn a grassed area into a border?

If you’re digging out a new border, firstly define the border area - just scraping a line in the grass with your spade will do the trick or you can use small stakes and string. Remove grass using tools like a spade or turf cutter. This can be hard work and a strain on the back so I usually stagger the work over a couple of days. Once dug out, enrich the soil with compost and other organic matter, before you start planting your shrubs.

Making a pathway between two borders

A pathway between two borders is a great way to enhance the garden and is very easy to do. Use materials like stepping stones, gravel, or mulch. Design paths with gentle curves for a natural look, bordered by low shrubs or ground cover plants. Or, if you have a longer pathway, opt for height in your planting scheme and incorporate a water feature or ornamental statue around a curve in the border.

Buying shrubs for your border

Whichever way you decide to plant your border you’ll find all the plants you need here at Direct Plants. Take a look at our huge range of shrubs which we grow here in our 5-acre Norfolk nursery.

Choose your plants today and don’t forget to sign up for our Discount Club to save even more on our already low prices.