Island planting beds are a excellent way to break up large open places in the garden while adding some distinctive shapes and layout components. These planting beds are interesting to look at but need a slightly different approach than conventional foundation plantings and flowerbeds. Since they’re seen from all corners, island plantings should be arranged so the bigger plants are at the center of the bed rather than in the back. The edge plants in island beds, nevertheless, ought to be selected according to many of the identical design principles used in other planting beds.
Surround the planting bed with a physical edge, such as bricks, plastic or stone edging to set the space and keep grass from creeping into the bed. Should you prefer to leave the edge natural, trim it frequently with an edger or weed trimmer.
Rank compact, clumping plant varieties as island borders such as coral bells (Heuchera), lily turf (Liriope) and society garlic (Tulbaghia) for a neat look. Avoid ground covers or spreading crops unless the bed is raised and you also want the plants to cascade over the side.
Choose plants that are shorter than the others at the island bed. Border plants should usually be less than 10 to 12 inches tall, but anything shorter than the other crops in the bed will work. Low growers that function well as edge plants comprise fescue (Festuca), small mat rush (Lomondra confertifolia “Small Con”) along with evergreen candytuft (Iberis sempervirens). Break this rule upon occasion with taller plants to produce a less formal look.
Contrast the color of their plants along the edge with those found in the island bed. Border vibrant island beds with green foliage plants and monochromatic beds with multicolored border plants.
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