Border ideas

Pick a style to see a real planting plan, then make it fit your own border.

Sunny border

Lots of sun is good news: it opens up the widest choice of flowers. We'll plan a border that's full of colour from spring to autumn, with the right plants at the back, in the middle and at the front.

Shady border

A shady border can be one of the most restful parts of a garden. We'll choose plants that are happy with little direct sun: ferns, hellebores, spring bulbs and leaves that light up dark corners.

Cottage garden border

Roses, catmint, geraniums and foxgloves, packed in and spilling over the edge. We'll plan a relaxed cottage border that still has a backbone, so it looks good in winter too.

Wildlife border

Flowers for bees and butterflies from early spring to late autumn, and seed heads for birds in winter. Every plant on our list is rated for its value to wildlife.

Dry garden border

For hot, dry spots and free-draining soil. Lavender, sea holly, grasses and silver leaves that cope with dry summers once they've settled in.

Pet-aware border

Tell us you have dogs or cats and we'll leave out plants on our list that are known to be harmful if eaten, or harmful to cats. It's included in every plan at no extra cost.

Low-maintenance border

Plants that look after themselves: long-lived shrubs, tough perennials and grasses, with just a few simple jobs a year.

New-build garden border

New home with a bare fence and a strip of turf? Start here. New-build gardens often have heavy or packed-down soil, so your plan includes simple soil preparation and plants that cope.