Create an outstanding perennial border - how to choose and combine plants

Tips on choosing and combining perennial plants for your garden from top gardeners Steve Edney and Lou Dowle of the No Name Nursery. Don't miss their argument at 14:50 on whether the persicaria should stay or go - I learned so much from it! Expert tips on choosing and placing garden plants for herbaceous borders. And how to add drama to your flower border.

00:00 Welcome
01:04 The dahlia on the left is 'Lovely Eyes Loulou'. Verbena bonariensis in the background
02:06 The grass in the background is Pennisetum. Centre: unknown echinacea seedling. Front: Eryngium agavefolium
02:16 Dahlia on left is 'Wishes & Dreams'. Centre edge of bed: Allium senescens 'Lisa Blue'
02:29 Echinacea and persicaria
02:48 Dahlia 'Lovely Eyes Loulou'
03:09 Think about the proportions of your perennial border, not just the size
03:40 Purple plant on left is Verbena officinalis 'Bampton'
04:16 Give your border a smart edge
04:40 How to choose plants
04:59 Plants clockwise from bottom left: Eryngium yuccifolium, Stipa 'Kleinfontain', Hylotelephium (formerly known as sedum) Matrona, with Verbena officinalis 'Bampton' on right
05:05 Start with your soil and climate - not just your gardening 'zone'
05:49 Eryngium yuccifolium
07:04 Potentilla 'Miss Wilmott'
07:27 Choose long flowering plants for the front edges
08:01 The big grass is Stipa giganteum 'Kleinfontain'
08:16 Hylotelephium (formerly known as sedum) 'Matrona'
08:54 Geranium 'Dilys'
09:05 Fill borders with plants to avoid bare earth - that helps keep weeds down
09:33 Edit your borders during the season, cutting back plants that are getting too dominant
10:26 When you buy plants think about what season they flower, how long they flower, their attraction to wildlife and winter interest as well as suitable for soil and climate
10:38 Verbena officinalis 'Bampton'
11:08 Contrast low rounded plants with upright shapes
11:42 Seedheads of Eryngium agavefolium
11:58 Use plants of different heights to create drama in your perennial border
12:26 Don't focus solely on flower colour, but on every aspect of the plant especially its foliage
13:15 Rule of thirds - plants look good around a third bigger than the plant near it
13:24 But grasses can be much bigger because they're transparent
13:50 Rule of thirds - don't plant more than one third of your plants as grasses in a border
14:50 Plants don't work well in a monoculture, fill a border with many different types
14:22 Plant shrubs, roses and long-lived evergreen perennials in the border first, then weave the annuals and short-lived perennials through them
14:34 How two expert gardeners disagree on a plant - I learned lots about placing plants from this!
14:50 Persicaria 'Indian Summer'
18:11 If a plant doesn't look right, it may look better with different plants next to it
18:38 Most perennials don't reach their full height and flowering potential until their third year
18:58 Ricinus 'New Zealand Purple'

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[hivicar]

The gardener said, "a place to escape and enjoy the world." I LOVE THAT!

[greglee]

I love how generous your videos are, both in length and knowledge. You give great people enough time to really explore ideas. Thank you!

[janereel]

Of course I went directly to their argument about persicaria. A charming couple. I wish my spouse would've been an enthusiastic gardener as I am. I loved their conversation. Alexandra, your videos are treasures in many ways.

[maryk]

The “argument “ about the persicaria was so sweet and void of nastiness. Really enjoyed it! Total respect for each others opinions .

[dianwilliams]

Keep the lovely Persicaria but add something to brighten the scheme 🇦🇺

[stevef]

What a stunningly beautiful border & keep the persicaria it fits in so well

[monawolfe]

What a cute couple! Even arguing over plants has a romantic element to it. Nice border! Typical gardeners challenge is “fitting” in the things they really would love to grow & experience with the micro climate, what is accessible to them and what’s already there. It’s like a puzzle we are all always trying to work out.

[jeanrae]

Persicaria should stay! Great video, Alexandria. We LOVE when you visit gardens!

[jakebe]

What a show! The Brits sure know how to create magnificent gardens. Greetings from Pennsylvania.

[juliabinford]

Lovely border! I’m of the mind that each person is going g to find respite and beauty in different plant combinations. If it’s your own garden, you really shouldn’t have to see something you detest. Life is hard enough, without adding something that makes you unhappy 🙁

[SB_McCollum]

The persicaria needs a lime green near it, something tart to brighten up its sangria/berry fruit vibe. It has a lot of pinks and burgundies around it, they all could stand some contrast.

[kalissahood]

That couple is adorable. Their 'argument' made my day 🙂

[MoonLightOnWater]

This was such an interesting video. This gentleman was so enthusiastic! It was contagious!

[mt]

The Persicaria looks great there! And, I bet it would be a lovely complement in the tropical garden, too. Do both!

[annfinster]

What a treasure for me to find! Thank you for being here for us… ❣️

[trishsantos]

Alexandra, you are an absolute gem among youtube gardeners! A pleasure every week to learn from you, from your own personal experience, and from the many gifted gardeners you interview. Thank you for your excellent work.

[adrabruzzese]

Such a cute couple. I say it should stay. Thanks Alexandra for showing us their beautiful border.

[merrillmcnicholas]

Another TERRIFIC video-you hit it out of the park with this one. Extremely useful information on plant combinations, contrast with different plants and specific info on plant heights and how to make it work in the border. I will be watching this a few times to get inspriation and rock solid advice on borders. Steve did mention a garden in the Netherlands that they visited and found useful. I couldn't make out the name-would you be able to relay that to me? I did enjoy "when gardeners don't agree on a plant"- little bit of disagreement with valid points both sides and ending with some compromise (to be reviewed later). Well done

[deano]

I’m with Lou on the Persicaria . It looks lovely in the boarder. I hope she can persuade Steven. Thanks for another wonderful video!

[meredith]

Persicaria should stay!!! What fun that discussion was! Thank you, Alexandra, for this video. I put in a new border 2 yrs ago and every year I feel it needs reworking as I am not quite satisfied with it's look. Love your videos, as I always get great tips for my garden.