ENGLISH MIXED BORDER / ENGLISH COTTAGE GARDEN

The mixed border is a proven horticultural concept from England and advocates a natural, less formal landscape approach. It is one of our preferred garden styles and we have practiced it in the Mid-Columbia for more than two decades. Small trees, ornamental and evergreen shrubs are combined with dense plantings of suitable perennials and bulbs to form a harmonious plant community. Annuals and climbers may also be included. The trees and shrubs provide the structure and vertical elements of the border. Perennials, ornamental grasses and ground covers furnish interest throughout the season. The focus is not just on color, but also texture and shape of the plants and garden features. Both harmony and contrast and the balance of the two in a planting are essential. The most successful mixed borders repeat certain plants throughout the planting area and complete garden, and use several varieties in larger drifts or sweeps. This results in visual continuity and moves the eye along the border. Mixed borders can favor one season, such as fall, or, especially if large enough, exhibit year-round interest. They can display an analogous color range, favoring just a few related colors, or present a rainbow of color expressed in a polychromatic, joyful color scheme.

Maintenance and Soil Preparation: Mixed borders are spectacular to look at and provide interest throughout the year, and can also be low-maintenance if designed correctly. While dead-heading is important to prolong the flowering season, choosing long-flowering, robust plants with improved pest and disease resistance will ease maintenance requirements. If the soil has been amended and prepared thoroughly prior to planting, the plants will form a solid planting within two years of installation, resulting in reduced weed growth and water loss. “Soil wants to cover itself” to prevent moisture loss and provide an environment beneficial to the soil food web. Well-designed mixed borders densely cover the soil during the growing season, resulting in a happy soil life and year-round enjoyment for the gardener and viewer.

The English Cottage Garden consists of dense, abundant plantings, combining edible and ornamental plants. Color is a focus, and often a diverse variety of perennials and annuals are included. The plantings frequently are informal and can be naturalistic. While this is a decorative, attractive garden style, and appropriate for the avid gardener, it can be quite high maintenance, especially if self-seeding flowering plants are included.
A combination of mixed borders, in conjunction with a decorative vegetable garden or potager, is similar in style, but lower in maintenance and may look more orderly

Please also refer to Naturalistic Gardens and Edible Gardens.

English Cottage Garden: In 2003 the garden depicted in the first two slides below won a Merit Award from the Perennial Plant Association in the residential category class II, under $25,000. View announcement. View article.

Soft colors and abundant plantings harmonize with the colonial blue exterior of the residence, late May 2002.	A custom-designed Victorian-style rose arbor visually connects the garage with the residence and creates an inviting entrance into the back landscape.

English Mixed Border — Marion's Garden: This long border, separating the owner's residence from the company's nursery, consisted of a raspberry hedge and a few perennials planted by the previous owner. It is visible from many directions, including the home's kitchen sink (always an important view!) and displays changing color schemes throughout the season. Dwarf conifers and ornamental grasses furnish fall interest.

The border prior to planting. The barbed wire fence is giving way to a new, custom-designed cedar fence and an English Mixed Border, May 1997.	A favorite view through the rose arch, early June 2008. Arches frame the view. The yellow climbing rose is 'Golden Showers'.
Lush plantings surround a copper bird bath in early June of 2008	A pottery vase becomes an ornamental focal point in the border. Note the interesting fence detail.
In mid October, the Flame Grasses turn a bronze-red shade, while Fall Asters display their last color. 'Red Sunset' Maples in their fall glory enhance the background.	In another part of the garden, Variegated Maiden Grass and rose-red 'Zumi Calicarpa' Crabapple berries ring in the holiday season, just prior to Thanksgiving, November 2007.

English-Style Garden: This spacious private garden on the west side of Hood River is surrounded by trees and changes with the seasons. Colorful summer plantings give way to gorgeous fall color.

This pergola structure supports climbers, which will furnish shade for the patio underneath. Fall adds vibrant color to the garden, mid October 2008	The entrance area displays particularly vibrant fall colors and invites the viewer to sit down and enjoy, October 2008
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