Herbaceous Border

An area that has been planted with herbaceous perennial plants or one that has a mixture of herbaceous annuals and perennials, and sometimes some woody perennials: This will depend on personal preference.

Herbaceous perennials will die back over the autumn and winter period, however, if a border is to retain some interest over this period then evergreen perennials will be incorporated into the border, sometimes along with some taller woody perennials, such as roses.

Certain locations such as around sports pavilions, golf clubhouses, or school entrance ways or adjacent to school buildings might have an herbaceous border to contrast with hard landscaping and grass surfaces, as well as providing an alternative to spring, summer or winter bedding schemes.

Once the year’s growth and flowering has ceased or past its best, which will typically be sometime in October or November depending on where the border is located in the UK, then all non-evergreen herbaceous vegetation is usually cut down to slightly above the level of the ground, with all vegetation being removed and then the surface of the ground would be lightly forked, taking care not to disturb any roots, bulbs, corms, rhizomes, etc. as well as any remaining evergreen or woody plants.

In the autumn or spring if any plants are lifted and divided, or removed for replacing, then the exposed ground will typically be forked over to some 300mm depth and organic matter added, such as well rotted manure, added and mixed into the soil before being refirmed.