How to plant a sunny border

Find our planting plans and a list of recommended plants to suit a sunny border.

When planting a sunny border, try to include some plants with strong vertical flower spikes. These will draw the eye and add drama to your scheme.

Colour rules

Hot colours

Red, yellow and orange are hot colours. They will make a garden appear smaller.

Cool colours

Blue, mauve and green are cool-calming colours and will make your garden seem larger.

White & grey

White flowers with grey foliage are indispensable for separating conflicting colours.

Plant list

A Cotinus Grace How to plant a sunny border
B Calamagrostis x acutiflora Karl Foerster
C Helenium Moerheim Beauty
D Sedum herbstfreude Autumn Joy
E Veronicastrum virginicum Album
F Salvia x sylvestris Mainacht
G Achillea Terracotta
H Kniphofia Little Maid
I Deschampsia cespitosa Goldtau
J Lavendula angustifolia Hidcote
K Ballota acetabulosa