Uturvande

John Cushnie On... Herbaceous Borders

I have a love hate relationship with herbaceous borders. I love them in the summer in full flower and ignore them in the winter when it has a dead appearance. That is the problem.

Winter flowering heathers, Christmas box (Sarcococca confusa) and early flowering dwarf bulbs mixed with the Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) will see the border in a good light right through the winter.

To prevent double planting and damage make sure to mark the position of bulbs that will have disappeaed by late spring. A layer of coarse sand or horticultural grit will warn you that the space is occupied.