Planning An Annual Border

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30882, 15 October 1965, Page 8

Planning An Annual Border

Well - designed bedding schemes, whether annuals, biennials, perennials • or a combination, are always the centre of admiration and it is usually impossible to bypass an outstanding display without wanting to create a similar effect in one’s own garden. However these displays are the result of a combination of skill and considerable work, imagination, and a study of the habits of growth, colour, height and season of flowering of these plants. Provided you are prepared to look after the plants from germination onwards, it is not difficult to plan a border comprising various groups of plants to provide what may well be the most colourful feature of the garden. Draw up a scale plan of the proposed area and divide it into several reasonably large, but not uniform or straightedged sectors. Those bounded by a path or some other permanent feature may have straight sides. At least one and a half square yards should be allotted to each division. Then , work out a colour scheme for the divisions using a colour circle if necessary. Most blends, with a few contrasts will enliven the bed. One full of blends may look rather dull. This method, I think, will probably be a little tricky unless you have a knowledge of flowers. Do not forget that foliage

can be as effective as flowers. These can be used singly oi in groups to tone down harsh colours or accentuate weak ones. In deciding which plants tc grow, remember that mosl annuals bloom longer than most of the hardy herbaceous perennials, so there is no need to provide for filling gaps that may follow the flowering season. There are several annuals that may, in fact, be used to advantage in the herbaceous perennial border tc provide a pleasing mass of colour for a long period and to fill a gap left by some early flowering subject. Tall plants should be kept to the back of the border and should be given more room than the smallest kinds grown in front. Perusal of suitable literature, such as specialised handbooks and catalogues, will greatly assist in formulating a suitable range of plants which should be assembled to give a continuous display over a period. A suitable position for growing summer displays is one situated in full sun but protected from strong wind, which will flatten taller plants. Good drainage and reasonably good organic matter with no perennial weeds are required. Some time before sowing blood and bone should be added to the soil which should then be well forked over and left to settle. Cultivate and

rake over immediately before attempting to grow anything. Now, with the aid of your : plan, mark out the divisions with a stick or a trail of line, i and mark each with a cen- : trally placed label. Hardy annuals and half- ; hardy annuals can be sown now. Hardy annuals are plants which may be sown where they are to flower, and the seedlings thinned to appropriate distances as soon as the second pair of true leaves appear. Half-hardy annuals, which are those unable to withstand frost, are best raised from seed sown under glass and then planted out when the danger of frost is past. Fine seed requires only a very light covering of soil. Larger seed can be sown more deeply. Slugs and snails can cause much damage amongst seedlings so rake a suitable bait lightly into the soil surface. Caterpillars can also cause trouble and D.D.T. applied before flowering will keep them down. Thinning of seedlings should not be neglected as crowding will cause spindly plants to develop. If done carefully, thinnings Can be used in areas where germination has been poor. Taller plants will need support which should be provided early. Birch branches are very suitable for this purpose. The advantage of placing supports in position early is that the plants will smother them, thus hiding them, and at the

Flower Colour Height Flowering X. Lobelia “Hamburgia” Sky blue 4-6” December-April 2. Sanvitalia (Creeping Zinnia) .. Golden Yellow 6” December-April 3. Celosla “Fire Feather” Deep crimson 1’ January-March 4. Violet-Cornuta “Admiration” .. Deep violet 6” May-November 5. Silene White 6-12” November-Dec. 6. Nasturtium “Golden Gleam” .... Yellow December-March 7. Marigold “Naughty Marietta” .. Yellow T December-April 8. Petunia Florabunda Rose li-2’ December-April 9. Zinnia Tangerine Tangerine orange 15" February-April 10. Centaurea Yellow 18" February-April 11. Dahlia pompom White February-April 12 Aster Lilac 18” January-March 13 Phlox tetra salmon Salmon pink 15” December-April 14. Ageratum Pale blue 12-18” December-April 15. Petunia elks purple Violet purple December-April 16. Scabiosa (double) black Purplish black 3’ December-Feb. 17. Amaranthus trlcoler splendens Scarlet 3-5’ February-April 18 Marigold Bronze 2’ plu« December-April 19. Tithonia Torch Orange red 4’ February-March

same time will receive support without tying. Weeding, watering, removal of any damaged or dead parts will all be required during the season. An example of an annual bedding scheme for a border 36ft by 7ft is given below together with a few plants which could well be considered.