There are a number of different types of border, the majority of which are made up of shrubs, herbaceous plants or a mixture of the two.

Herbaceous Borders

One of the main advantages of a herbaceous border is its flexibility; its ability to allow you either plan a look that involves sophisticated colour combinations; or to create just as successful a look using a severely restricted range of colours. Although a true herbaceous border can work very well visually, it is inclined to hit a 'gap' in flowering if the planting is designed to last for more than a few weeks. Then one can bend the purist rules in order to extend the season, and fill the spaces by planting annuals and bulbs in flowing drifts amongst the clumps of herbaceous plants.

However, one of the disadvantages of a herbaceous border is that it can look bare for the dormant five months of the year. Even with 'evergreen' perennials such as dianthus, bergenia and stachys, it can look very dull and brown in the winter. This can be solved in part by extending the season, filling the gaps by planting late flowering bulbs amongst the clumps of herbaceous plants.

Although the herbaceous border is quicker to establish than the shrub border, it will need an overhaul at least every five years, as many herbaceous plants begin to fade if not frequently divided.

Shrub Borders

A border containing a mixture of deciduous and evergreen, leafing and flowering shrubs can be very eye-catching, and there are a wide variety of hardy, tolerant shrubs of varying habits and heights available to choose from. Shrubs can often provide colour and form throughout the year - although they are often at their best in spring and early summer.

However, a border made up from shrubs can sometimes look dull, particularly if a good balance between glossy evergreen and deciduous has not been struck. A dull deciduous shrub can be brought to life by training clematis through it, especially one that flowers at a different time to the shrub itself. Select a late-flowering hybrid which can be cut hard back in late winter, such as the Clematis x jackmanii hybrids, C. 'Alba Luxurians' and C. flammula.

As it can take up to five years for shrub borders to achieve a mature look, it is important to add in attractive ground-cover plants whilst the shrubs are growing. An alternative is to use a semi-permanent mulch, such as large bark chippings, which though expensive, will cover up any bare patches and will last for several years.

Mixed Borders

In many gardens, the mixed or 'shrubaceous' border is a better option. This contains an assortment of plant forms which complement each other, such as herbaceous and evergreen perennials, shrubs, annuals and biennials, bulbs and perhaps even a tree or two. This usually leads to the most visually pleasing border, as there is always something 'coming on', and larger plants provide a structural backcloth for more ephemeral ones.

Seasonal Borders

This style of border contains several examples of a particular genus, such as peonies, lupins or irises, and gives a tremendous visual impact when in flower. However, many gardeners prefer to mix individual specimens or small clumps in a general scheme, or simply to grow these plants in rows, for cutting, in the vegetable garden.

Bedding Plant Borders

Borders can be planted exclusively with bedding plants: half-hardy annuals in the early summer, replaced with biennials and bulbs in mid-autumn. This style can look stunning, although it does require a great deal of planning and work - both in the greenhouse and in the garden itself. Annual and biennial borders offer a quick and easy way of trying out new colour schemes, before deciding on more permanent plantings. In addition, annuals often flower for many months in the summer, especially if deadheaded, at a time when many shrubs and perennials are over.

• See also: Planting Annuals and Biennials in Borders and Beds.