Plants for a ‘hot’ border with spring interest
Plant combinations can be used to create specific atmospheres or themes. Hot colours bring warmth and vibrancy to a border. A sustainable planting combination makes it easier to create a full and attractive border that is more resilient to climatic challenges.
Quick facts
- Reds and yellows add a warm glow to our borders
- Glowing red autumn foliage creates a dazzling display
- Evergreen foliage and red leaves add colour to borders, especially during the winter
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The planting plan
This planting design provides a range of plants that, once established, will provide a variety of interest throughout the year.
Plants for a ‘hot’ border with spring interest
Choosing plants for a ‘hot’ border
Several of these will also attract vital pollinators to your garden, helping to improve biodiversity.
Leaf adaptations allow plants to withstand heat and drought well. The thick, leathery leaves of the Photinia and Genista, and the hairy leaves of the Salvia and Heuchera, reduce the water lost from the foliage.
The Genista and Heuchera also create groundcover, which suppresses weed growth and helps to cover the soil. This cover reduces soil erosion and the loss of surface water from evaporation. Using an organic mulch, preferably homemade compost, while the plants establish can help to provide the same benefits.
1 - Forsythia x intermedia ‘Lynwood Variety’
2 - Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’
3 - Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea ‘Golden Ring’ (v)
4 - Salvia ‘Royal Bumble’
5 - Genista lydia
6 - Heuchera ‘Lipstick’
2 – Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ has glossy leaves that are bright red when young, dark green as they mature. Clusters of creamy-white flowers appear in spring if left unpruned.
3 – Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea ‘Golden Ring’ (v) has small, rounded purple-red leaves, narrowly edged with yellow, that turn red in autumn. Flowers are pale yellow in spring, followed by small, deep crimson berries in autumn.
4 – Salvia ‘Royal Bumble’ is a bushy semi-evergreen plant, with aromatic, glossy deep green leaves. Large, glowing, rich red flowers with purple-black calyces and stems appear over a long period from late spring to autumn.
5 – Genista lydia is a compact deciduous dwarf shrub with arching or trailing branches. The leaves are small and the flowers like bright yellow pea flowers, held in terminal clusters in early summer.
6 – Heuchera ‘Lipstick’ is a mound-forming perennial with palmate, silver-veined green leaves and spires of small, lipstick-red flowers in summer.
About plants for a ‘hot’ border
Growing plants for for a ‘hot’ border
AGM plants tend to be more naturally resistant to pests and disease and, once th established, will reduce the need for extra inputs that weaker-growing plants would need, such as excessive water and fertiliser.
A simple planting plan helps to create depth, interest and good coverage in a border.
Why choose a sustainable planting combination
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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.