Create an Easy-Care Garden Border

When to Start: Early spring
At Its Best: Summer
Time to Complete: 1 hour

Materials Needed:

• well-rotted organic matter, such as manure
• spade
• all-purpose granular fertilizer

Prepare the Soil

Choose a sunny, open site and, a week before planting, spread a 3-inch layer of organic matter over the soil, and dig it into the top 6 inches.

Plant the Perennials

Starting at the back of the border, plant the crocosmia, then plant oxeye sunflower and sedum in front. Take care not to bury their stems, which may cause them to rot.

Plant the Lavender

Plant a line of lavender at the front, ensuring that the stems are above the soil. Spread a gravel mulch. Water the plants regularly for the first year, until they are established. Apply a granular fertilizer each spring.