Long, narrow flower beds are one of the most difficult areas in the garden to plant - this is especially true if they are also located along a house wall, a wall or in front of a hedge. The difficulty is not only in the right choice of plants, but also in an appealing composition.
Long, narrow flower beds look good on a house wall
The main design rules for narrow flower beds
Even if the selection is large and therefore difficult: Less is always more with narrow, long flower beds! So limit yourself to a few species, but they are allowed to grow tall and wide. Depending on the length of the bed strip, about three to five different perennials that are different in height and width and repeat are ideal. In very narrow beds, plant the selected species alternately, in wider ones, the taller species are in the background and the lower ones in the foreground. The bed strip also brings great effects if you limit yourself to one topic. These can be flowering plants in one color that are combined with evergreen or ornamental foliage plants. Especially with narrow beds, you should also make sure to select perennials with a long flowering period and evergreen foliage. Otherwise it can happen that the bed only looks attractive during flowering.
Narrow flower beds on house walls, walls and hedges
Narrow beds are often found in front of house walls, walls, fences, hedges or as a boundary to the left and right of the main path to the front door. Depending on where the bed is, there are special requirements in terms of location and soil conditions. You should adjust your plant selection accordingly.
Flower bed in front of a house wall
Beds in front of a house wall often offer particularly difficult growing conditions, as the soil here is often very dry, not very deep and calcareous. So you need - even if it is a shady location - drought-tolerant plants. On the other hand, these locations are often very sheltered, so that cold-sensitive perennials can also thrive here and can even be overwintered.
Flowerbed in front of a wall/fence
Walls and fences, on the other hand, invite you to plant climbing and climbing plants. Clematis, roses or hydrangeas go particularly well here.
Flower bed in front of a hedge
Hedges are also difficult, as there is often a great deal of competitive pressure in terms of the supply of water, nutrients and light. Depending on whether the location is light and dry or rather dark and damp, you have to make a decision on correspondingly insensitive plants. By the way, in front of a dark green hedge, perennials with bright flowers look particularly attractive.
tips
Narrow strips of beds do not always have to bloom profusely to be attractive. Decorative foliage plants - for example with colored or variegated foliage - and various herbs are also very appealing.