Plants for purpose: Plants for the back of the border

Narrow and upright

Shrubs with a ‘fastigiate’ habit generally grow slim and upright so that’s a good descriptive word to look out for when deciding which ones to choose.  Something like a yew or juniper repeated down the line of the border is a good starting point and they will have the added advantage of not shading out other plants too much.

This is a relatively slow growing slim upright evergreen version of our english yew with small narrow needles and will grow well in full sun or part shade.  There is also a golden called ‘Aurea.’

They provide year round vertical interest and also look great grouped with other yews pruned into ball or pyramid shapes.  Be aware though that these shrubs can produce red fruit, parts of which can be poisonous if ingested, although regular trimming of the shrub to keep its shape usually stops it producing many berries.

If the border is long enough a good design tip is to repeat the same shrub or group of shrubs along its entire length to create a unified planting scheme making a great backdrop for selections of flowering plants to be placed amongst.

A shorter, slower growing lovely alternative are these pencil shaped conifers with their vivid blue evergreen foliage and very narrow compact branches.  From a practical point of view they don’t need any routine pruning, permanently keeping their thin, neat upright shape, and tolerate most soils and conditions if given free draining, moist soil.

These tough, evergreen, shade loving shrubs are perfect for a hardy, touch of the exotic look with their large, glossy, deeply lobed leaves and round, creamy white flowers which appear in the autumn.

If your soil is neutral to acidic Camellias can make wonderful back of border plants and there are a range which flower from late winter to early spring and providing a shiny leaf backdrop throughout the year.

With or without evergreens tall herbaceous perennials are a fantastic way of adding colour and height to the back of a border.  Some, like Delphiniums, have rigid upright stems whilst others like Cephalaria gigantea (Giant Scabious) a loose, gentle, nodding habit.

With their tall thin wiry spires of flowers veronicastrums are ideal for adding colour to the back of a border. This tall cultivar has lilac-rose coloured flowers over a long period from mid to late summer and grow well in sun or semi shade.  They’re also marvellous plants for attracting pollinating insects.  

If space is not limited then the thistle like silver foliage of these majestic old Victorian favourites will add a theatrical touch to any sunny border with large purple thistle like honey scented flowers, fantastic for attracting pollinating insects.

If the flower heads are left on the plant after they finish flowering, they not only provide winter interest but also food source for birds like finches.

For late season flowers, this quick to establish tall plant is a great choice.  It produces large fluffy, purple-pink flowers on purple stems and butterflies love them!  It’s another plant where the seedheads can be left on over winter.