View source for Herbaceous border

A '''herbaceous border''' is a collection of [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herbaceous plant]]s (plants that live for more than two years and are soft-stemmed and non-woody) arranged closely together, usually to create a dramatic effect through colour, shape or large scale.  The term herbaceous border is mostly in use in the [[United Kingdom]] and the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]. In North America, the term '''perennial border''' is normally used.  

Herbaceous borders as they are known today were first popularly used in gardens in the [[Victorian era]].  Hybridization and new imported plant species revolutionized the form of British gardens in the 18th and 19th centuries.  In addition, the works of [[Gertrude Jekyll]], a British 20th century garden designer and prolific writer, popularized the use of the ''herbaceous border'' through a revival of the British cottage garden.

The herbaceous border was work-intensive, as the perennials had to be dug up every 3-4 years and divided to keep the bed clean-looking and prevent the plants from overgrowth.  In [[World War I]] this type of border became less popular in Britain as there was a shortage of labour to keep the gardens maintained. However, there are still some celebrated examples in British gardens.

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*[http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/garden_design/103795 Herbaceous Borders (Part Two)]-->

[[Category:Gardening]]