Mixborder is a popular type of flower bed in landscape design. To create it, you can use almost any plant: undersized coniferous shrubs, flowering annuals and biennials, climbing crops and even trees. When decorating, it is important to take into account the color scheme, shape and borders so that the mixborder turns out to be well-groomed, fits into the style of the site.
What is a mixborder
Mixborder is a popular element of landscape design
Translated from English, mixborder means “mixed border”. This is a complex flower garden, which is created from plants planted in multi-row and multi-tiered ways. A flower bed always consists of many crops that differ in appearance and budding period. A distinctive feature of this element of the site is an asymmetric shape, as well as long and continuous flowering.
Mixborder is widely used in landscape design. This type of flower bed can be used to decorate fences and structures, as well as for garden zoning. Creating a mixed flower garden is not an easy task. It is required to know well the peculiarities of the vegetation of the plants used, to select the right varieties and to form the general composition so that it looks advantageous from any angle.
The total width of the mixborder is determined by the tallest plant in it. It should not exceed its height by more than 2 times.
Varieties
There are different types of mixborders. There are no universal solutions in landscape design; each element in the garden is selected taking into account the general style of the site, the characteristics of the soil and climate, and geographical subtleties.
Shrubby
A mixed flower garden of shrubs needs regular shaping
Recommended for decorating fences and buildings on the site. The emphasis in such a composition is shrubs with different flowering periods, as well as tall flowering crops. Within the framework of this type, coniferous mixborders are separately distinguished. Their advantage is ease of maintenance, unpretentiousness to external conditions.
English
The mixboarder, made in the English style, is the beauty and clarity of straight lines
Differs in simple plants and rigor in design. The decorativeness of such a flower garden is achieved by clear lines, restrained colors. Suitable for decorating garden paths, decorating terraces and gazebos.
Rustic
A rustic flower bed will decorate any garden area
The specificity of this species is the lush flowering of plants characteristic of the local climate. High-quality and regular care is required, otherwise the rustic mixborder quickly becomes unkempt. It is for this reason that herbaceous crops should be planted with great care.
Vegetable, or garden
A flower bed can even be created from seasonal vegetables and herbs.
The most practical kind of mixborder. Various seasonal vegetable crops with different vegetation periods are used as plants. The crop can be removed as it ripens. It is important to monitor the correctness of the formation, preventing the growth and reduction of the green mass. This is the best solution for a summer residence where functionality and beauty are important.
What plants to use
To create a beautiful and well-groomed mixborder, you should carefully consider the choice of primary and secondary plants. They should be in harmony with each other in terms of color, height and flowering time. Landing order and popular types:
- Shrubs and dwarf trees act as the basis (skeleton) of a mixborder. It is around them that the entire volume of the composition will be formed. It is recommended to choose crops that are good pruning and bloom for a long time. Examples: mock orange, barberry, spirea, elderberry, ornamental plum and Japanese hydrangea, rhododendron.
Rhododendron is a popular shrub for mixed beds
- Perennials are the main part of the mixborder. Usually these are flowering crops of various heights, differing in the shape and shade of the petals. Perennials are planted in the center to fill the main volume. Examples: daylilies, echinacea, garden geranium, lavatera, aquilegia, astilba. Hosta, heuchera, fern and others are used as decorative deciduous plants.
Garden geraniums will decorate a mixborder in English and rustic style
- Annuals. They have a short flowering period, they act only as an additional element for filling voids in a mixborder. The following types are suitable: zinnia, marigolds, kosmeya, gazania.
Gazania is a bright element of any flower garden
- Conifers. They are a real decoration of any mixed flower garden. Low-growing and dwarf shrubs are combined with flowering plants, and they are also indispensable for one-piece coniferous compositions. Examples: juniper, thuja, Korean fir, Serbian spruce, Canadian hemlock.
To form a mixborder, only creeping and dwarf juniper varieties should be chosen.
Climbing plants in mixborders are rarely used. They require the installation of a support, and also grow quickly, which is inconvenient for the formation of strict lines of a flower garden. Tiers and levels are created using the height of the crops, so the variety should be selected even at the stage of planning the general scheme.
Mixborder design schemes
When creating a mixed flower garden scheme, it is important to take into account the row arrangement of plants. At the first level, there should be undersized (curb) crops, which are required only to emphasize the general style. The second row is always the densest and most voluminous plantings, giving a lot of greenery and buds. Shrubs and low-growing trees are best for the last row and framing.
Choosing a color scheme is the most difficult step in shaping a mixborder. It is important not to overdo it, to achieve a harmonious balance of all shades. It is recommended to use no more than 4–5 colors; when choosing contrast and compatibility, use the chromatic circle.
Mixborder schemes in the photo
DIY mixborder layout and design
Mixed flower garden suitable for decorating paths in the garden
A mixed flower garden can be created almost anywhere in the garden. Mixborders are most often formed near the boundaries of the site, along the paths or the wall of the house. Tall plants are better suited for landscaping fences and structures, and low-growing ones for location in the center of the garden, since they are clearly visible from all sides. Paths, curbs, stone elements and garden sculptures are used to create clear lines. They make the flower bed complete and well-groomed.
It is important to consider plant compatibility. All crops for planting in the same flower bed must equally tolerate light and shade, this allows you to achieve a high growth rate and uniformity of flowering. It is recommended to choose varieties that are adapted to the climate in the region to avoid problems with lower temperatures. In addition, it is required to take into account the growing season and flowering. All plants should grow in rows or bloom at the same time and wither at the same rate.
Helpful care tips
The mixborder needs regular watering, feeding and pruning
With a competent approach to the choice of plants for the mixborder and its location on the site, there are no problems with leaving. The main task is to maintain decorativeness throughout the season. This requires:
- observe regular watering, spray the leaves during a drought;
- apply mineral dressings at least 2 times a summer to enhance flowering and growth;
- remove weeds, loosen the soil;
- trim off all overgrown, dry and deformed shoots, and shape shrubs in autumn and spring.
The use of fungicides and insecticides is required only when characteristic signs of infestation are found. For preventive purposes, treatment is usually not carried out.
Reviews and advice from experienced florists
The mixborder easily becomes the main composition of the garden in any style
In Russia, mixborders are just becoming popular, and it is not so easy for beginners to master this element of landscape design. Experienced florists, when creating mixed flower beds, advise you to carefully approach the choice of plants and not forget about the style as a whole. It should be consistent with the overall design of the site. For example, a flower bed decorated with simple rustic flowers is not suitable for an ascetic Japanese garden. At the same time, you do not need to be afraid to experiment: this is the only way to make a mixborder that you like.
There are no hard and fast rules when creating a composition. It is important to rely on the color scheme and connect imagination in order to achieve the visual volume and harmony of the flower garden.
Video: Useful tips for creating a mixborder
Mixborder is a real decoration of the garden. It allows you to zoning the territory and decorate structures or fences. When choosing plants, you should focus on your own taste, the specifics of the site and the climate in the region.
