Overhauling a border

Hi eveyone, We moved here last year and have a very tired herbaceous border. I feel I want to strip the whole thing out and start again, though dividing and keeping a few of the existing plants, but in different positions. I would be putting in a lot of new plants too. My question is when to do this. Autumn or spring? And does it depend on whether the plants are existing ones or new ones? And, if autumn, how early can I start (it's such a mess at the moment the earlier the better)? I appreciate this is a very basic beginner's question but any thoughts much appreciated.

 

Hi Flowery & welcome to gardeners corner.

I'll move this into General Gardening discussion as only the cleaners go into the " how to" section.

 

Hi Flowery,
Any shrubs or perrenial flowers that you want to move I would leave until 'die back' late autumn or winter. That goes for old and new plants. If you dig any annuals out now they will probably die. Any bulbs that aren't flowering at the moment can be dug out now if necesssary.

Hope this helps.

 

Hi Flowery and welcome to the forum.

Autumn or early spring for me. Agree with Sheal that you ought to wait for the perennials to die back but I often move plants around at other times, especially when the soil is warm as they seem to settle down more easily. You can always dig out the plants you are getting rid of and plant new ones if they are well rooted in pots.
Good luck with the new garden.....

 

Thank you....I'll resist tackling it for as long as I can! Advice much appreciated.