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7 colorful border plants

Create a stunning garden



When planting a mixed border garden, there are tons of wonderful plant varieties to choose from. The easiest (and often most economical) choices for planting in your border garden are hardy perennials and fast-growing annuals. However, mixing and matching these plants can be daunting so they create a cohesive look. The annuals and perennials in the following list make great border garden plants because they look great together. In addition, they are low maintenance, have similar growing requirements and offer plenty of color throughout the growing season.


1 Angelonia



Angelonia is also known as the "summer snapdragon," although it is not related to true snapdragons. This annual plant is drought tolerant and thrives in heat, blooming all summer long. For a cool look in a warm garden, try 'Angelmist Dark Plum' (shown here) or 'Archangel Dark Purple,' two varieties with beautiful purple flowers. Plants are about a foot tall. Grow them in drifts of multiple plants for a more stunning effect.


2 Astilbe


For areas of your border garden, astilbe (Astilbe chinensis) is a versatile and hardy perennial that does well in partial shade. The 2-foot-tall plants have ferny foliage in pink, purple and white and offer bright summer flowers. For example, 'Visions' (shown here) has beautiful pink flowers. If you want something in the back of your border garden, 'Purple Candles' reaches about 4 feet tall when its upright bright purple flowers bloom. Astilbe is hardy in zones 4-9.


3 Caladium



Caladiums provide stunning foliage that complements the colorful flowers around them. Some varieties like full sun, while others like more shade, so choose accordingly. Plant caladiums (like these three red caladiums from Best Homes and Gardens, $45, Walmart) outdoors in spring after temperatures rise and the danger of frost is past. In colder winter areas, you can use caladiums as annuals or transplant them into a pot in the fall and bring them indoors as a houseplant.


4 Creeping Phlox


Spilling over rocks and forming mounds of bright purple flowers, creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is also known as moss phlox. It's an easy-care perennial for the front of border gardens, thanks to its low, creeping growth habit and bursts of flowers in late spring. Hardy in zones 3-9, the drought-tolerant creeping phlox prefers a full sun location.


5 Dahlia



Dahlias come in countless sizes, shapes and colors, and many varieties make beautiful border plants. For example, 'Hypnotica Orange' gets about a foot tall with double, vibrant orange flowers, making it an eye-catching plant at the front of your border garden. Regular dead-heading and plenty of moisture will keep it looking its best throughout the growing season. Dahlias are generally hardy in zones 9-11.


6 Lamb's Ear


Commonly called lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina) because of the shape and texture of the leaves, this slow-spreading perennial adds a touch of silver to landscape border gardens. Plant in full sun to partial shade and do not water once the plants are established. Flower stems can be allowed to go to seed to help fill in empty spots over time. This plant is hardy in zones 4-8.


7 Verbena



Verbena (like this Better Homes & Gardens purple variety, $45 for 5, Walmart) blooms in bright colors of purple, red, pink, and white in summer. This plant has an excellent ability to bloom throughout the season, attracting a variety of pollinators along the way. Its low-growing stems make it a good choice for the edge of your border garden. Plant in full sun and provide good drainage for best performance.

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