REDESIGNING AN UNDERPERFORMING
BORDER IN NORWICH (NR4)
A client in Norwich NR4 came to us with a border that was prominent in their new house, but really not ticking any boxes for them. It sat in a prime spot in their back garden but looked flat and did nothing for the space. We redesigned the border to be a feature in its own right, built around a bold vintage enamel sign, ornamental grasses,striking foliage and perennials that flower for months.
It's a nice example of a focused improvement: one part of the garden that wasn't pulling its weight, fixed properly without redoing everything around it.
The problem
This particular border was against a wall in the back garden, but in a real focal point in the space. The pre-existing border had a rose run amok climbing the wall, a clump of tall grass at one end, and large blockages ruining the view out of the kitchen. Prominent but underperforming is a frustrating combination, because everyone sees it and nobody enjoys it. The client wanted something unique and inventive, matching their approach for the home's interior.
The approach
The starting point was something unusual on the wall: a vintage Colman's Mustard enamel sign, a nod to Norwich heritage, which we sourced on Facebook Marketplace. Rather than screen it, the planting is designed around it. The sign's yellow is echoed by airy perennials like verbena and achillea, so the colour feels planned rather than accidental.
Ornamental grasses are the backbone. They give movement, so the border reacts when the wind picks up, and they carry on looking good well into autumn and winter. Architectural foliage plants, Euphorbia myrsinites and Eryngium agavifolium, add contrast and give your eye somewhere to land between the flowers. Multi-stemmed Teucrium provides evergreen structure so the border has real structure in winter.
Corten steel edging gives a clean line between border and lawn. It's a small detail, but it's gives the border clear boundaries and intention.
Why this mix works
None of this planting is overly exotic. It's plants that flower for a long time, plants that still look good once the flowers have finished, and a few evergreens so there's something there in January. That's most of what separates a border that works from one that's lovely for three weeks in June.
The result
The border now does what a prominent border should. It's the feature, not the gap between the wall and the lawn. The sign has a reason to be there, the colours tie together, and there's always interest.
If there's one border or corner letting your garden down, that's usually a quicker and cheaper fix than a full redesign.
Redesigned focal point border
Rough sketch of the design
Underperforming border that the client was desperate to freshen up
REDESIGNING AN UNDERPERFORMING
BORDER IN NORWICH (NR4)
A client in Norwich NR4 came to us with a border that was prominent in their new house, but really not ticking any boxes for them. It sat in a prime spot in their back garden but looked flat and did nothing for the space. We redesigned the border to be a feature in its own right, built around a bold vintage enamel sign, ornamental grasses,striking foliage and perennials that flower for months.
It's a nice example of a focused improvement: one part of the garden that wasn't pulling its weight, fixed properly without redoing everything around it.
The problem
This particular border was against a wall in the back garden, but in a real focal point in the space. The pre-existing border had a rose run amok climbing the wall, a clump of tall grass at one end, and large blockages ruining the view out of the kitchen. Prominent but underperforming is a frustrating combination, because everyone sees it and nobody enjoys it. The client wanted something unique and inventive, matching their approach for the home's interior.
The approach
The starting point was something unusual on the wall: a vintage Colman's Mustard enamel sign, a nod to Norwich heritage, which we sourced on Facebook Marketplace. Rather than screen it, the planting is designed around it. The sign's yellow is echoed by airy perennials like verbena and achillea, so the colour feels planned rather than accidental.
Ornamental grasses are the backbone. They give movement, so the border reacts when the wind picks up, and they carry on looking good well into autumn and winter. Architectural foliage plants, Euphorbia myrsinites and Eryngium agavifolium, add contrast and give your eye somewhere to land between the flowers. Multi-stemmed Teucrium provides evergreen structure so the border has real structure in winter.
Corten steel edging gives a clean line between border and lawn. It's a small detail, but it's gives the border clear boundaries and intention.
Why this mix works
None of this planting is overly exotic. It's plants that flower for a long time, plants that still look good once the flowers have finished, and a few evergreens so there's something there in January. That's most of what separates a border that works from one that's lovely for three weeks in June.
The result
The border now does what a prominent border should. It's the feature, not the gap between the wall and the lawn. The sign has a reason to be there, the colours tie together, and there's always interest.
If there's one border or corner letting your garden down, that's usually a quicker and cheaper fix than a full redesign.
Redesigned focal point border
Rough sketch of the design