If you want to create a perennial bed, you should invest some time in planning it. After all, the perennials come back every year and save you a lot of work. It is all the more important to have a precise plan. Below are a few ideas for the ideal planting plan for your perennial border.
Larger perennials are at the back, groundcovers are at the front
The size of the perennials is crucial for the planting plan
Especially with larger perennial beds, it is important to arrange the plants according to size. Depending on the size, you can divide your perennial bed into two, three, four or more zones:
- in the middle or in the back area (if the bed can only be seen from one side) are tall perennials (1.50 to 2m)
- medium-sized perennials are planted around it (1m to 1.50m)
- smaller perennials are planted further towards the edge (0.50 to 1m)
- and the edge is decorated with ground covers
Large perennials for the center
The center should be dominated by vigorous, highly visible tall perennials. Perennials with a growth height of 1.50 to 2m are ideal. This includes:
- Real marshmallow
- True Angelica
- Garden knotweed
- Elecampane
- giant leek
- delphinium
- Cattails
- mock aster
- perennial sunflower
- sweet pea
- hollyhock
- water dost
Medium-sized perennials for the second zone
The large perennials are surrounded by slightly smaller ones. With a growth height of 1 to 1.50 m, the following are suitable:
- barbel
- Bergeisenhut
- speedwell
- Verbena
- thimble
- Indian nettle
- candle knotweed
- mullein
- lovage
- yucca
- splendor pier
- delphinium
- silver candle
- sun eye
- sun bride
- steppe candle
- forest goat's beard
Small perennials for the third zone
The following perennials with a maximum height of one meter stand almost at the edge:
- barbel
- bluestar bush
- China anemone
- scent nettle
- sedum
- Funkie
- autumn anemone
- hedgehog leek
- Japanese toad lily
- catnip
- blanket flower
- lavender
- toadflax
- mallow
- peppermint
- peony
- phlox
- rosemary
- sage
- yarrow
- gypsophila
- coneflower
- spur flower
- masterwort
- cranesbill
- daylily
- wax bell
- scabious
Ground cover to finish
At the very edge are ground covers. If you want to have little work, you can also use ground cover over a wider area or even for the entire bed planting. Since the plants spread across the ground, fewer plants per square meter are needed here. They also keep weeds away. The most beautiful groundcover perennials include:
- Andean cushion
- Runner-forming Waldsteinia
- blue pillow
- leadwort
- fat man
- periwinkle
- Pillow Soapwort
- ice plant
- star moss
- thyme