HEATING UP A BORDER

At the far end of the garden, outside Mark’s studio, there are hot-coloured borders planted with unusual Canary Island foxgloves, purple verbenas, zinnias, coneflowers and agapanthus. At the back stands a young redbud ‘Forest Pansy’, a small tree with beautiful heart-shaped deep reddish-purple leaves that take on fiery hues in autumn. ‘Last year, for the first time, I grew plants from seed – the zinnias were amazing, lasting until October,’ enthuses Vicky. ‘It’s all new to me and I just learn as I go along.’ Here Vicky shares her tips for lasting border colour:

* Dig borders thoroughly in spring, regularly hoeing away weeds

* Densely mulch in early summer to retain moisture and suppress weeds

* Experiment with daring colour combinations, such as orange zinnias and purple verbena – nature has a way of making clashing colours blend

* Sow annual seeds in pots, ready to slot into the borders wherever gaps occur

* Add spontaneity by encouraging self-seeders such as Verbena bonariensis, feather grasses and fennel

* In autumn, plant springflowering bulbs, such as tulips, alliums and gladioli

* Ensure a backdrop of interesting foliage, such as shiny palm-shaped fatsias, redbud ‘Forest Pansy’ and hydrangeas, and train pyracantha along fences