ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES

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FLOWER BORDERS MAKE YOUR LANDSCAPE LOOK LARGER

AUBURN, MAY 22---A few adjustments in a flower border along a property line can make your property seem larger, says Dr. Dave Williams, Extension horticulturist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

The actual dimensions of landscape borders and the paths and spaces between them can add to the illusion of distance. For instance, in a 20-foot border, narrowing its width by 1 1/2 feet at the end farthest away from the house will make the landscape appear more distant.

Williams gives the following tips for gardeners:

  • Group coarse-textured landscape plants near the house, medium-textured plants next and fine-textured plants farthest away.
  • Place most of the plants with warm or hot-flower colors, such as yellows, oranges and reds, nearest the house.
  • Place plants with blue colors in the distant part of the landscape. Along with the blues, include some pinks and mauves.
  • Plants with silver or gray foliage provide a unifying base color throughout the border.

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    SOURCE: DR. DAVE WILLIAMS, Extension horticulturist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System (334) 844-3032.