Although many different types of plants can be grown in a border, the most typical border plants are herbaceous perennials. These are mainly hardy plants whose top growth dies back in winter with new growth emerging the following spring. These plants should be protected during the winter by leaving the dead top growth, as this will act as insulation. However, as this can produce an untidy look, you may prefer to cut back the dead top growth in autumn, then insulate the plant with bark chips, leaves, straw or bracken.

Protecting Your Plants

The site of your border, the weather in your area and the hardiness of your plants will all influence how much, if any, protection is necessary. Any tender plants should be lifted out of the border in the autumn, placed in a pot and taken into a frost-free (or even heated) greenhouse or conservatory. Hardy plants in most areas will not need winter protection unless the border is exposed to cold winds, whereas insulation will benefit plants of borderline hardiness, such as the African Lily (Agapanthus), Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia), Peruvian Lily (Alstromeria), Globe Artichokes (Cynara cardunculus) and Montbretia (Crocosmia).

Plants such as globe artichokes that have large leaves and thick stems can be cut down, their own leaves used as insulation, and their stems laid across to hold the leaves in place.

To protect border plants with dense tufts of foliage, such as red hot pokers or ornamental grasses, gather up the leaves in one hand and tie them together with an elastic band or similar tie. Their own leaves will stop wet and cold weather from getting into the crown of the plant.

Other plants can be given a 15 cm thick covering of bark chips, leaves, straw or bracken. This should be secured in place by stretching a layer of netting over the top and pegging it down. The covering should be checked weekly to ensure that it does not become waterlogged. Change it if it becomes very wet.