by the Editors of Reader’s Digest

Sometimes old borders lack interest, especially if some of the shrubs are past their best. One option is to replace all the shrubs and start again, but this will leave you with an empty border until the new shrubs begin to grow. A quicker method is to keep some of the existing plants to provide the overall structure for the new border as well as shrubs that offer more than one season of interest, then replace the rest – in particular, short-lived shrubs such as lavender (Lavandula), Santolina and broom (Cytisus scoparius) – with healthier or more interesting plants. Using this method, the height and structure of the border is maintained while the new shrubs become established.

Once the border has been thinned, the old shrubs that are being kept may look misshapen or bald at the base. You can transform their appearance by simple pruning, taking out a few of the oldest stems each spring, but don’t prune them back hard because many shrubs may not regrow or may take years to flower again.

To fill the gaps in the border quickly, buy a few larger specimens rather than several smaller plants. If the old shrubs are dominated by green, brighten up the display by introducing shrubs with golden, purple or variegated foliage. For example, to lighten up a border display add the golden-leaved Spiraea japonica ‘Goldflame’ or Choisya ternata ‘Sundance;’ to add interest try the variegated Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia,’ Elaeagnus pungens ‘Maculata’ or Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’ and for purple foliage either Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea or Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple.’

Before planting, improve the soil by forking into each planting hole a bucketful of well-rotted organic matter and by applying a general or rose fertilizer. Once the new shrubs are in the ground, water them regularly to help them grow faster and to compete against older plants with more established root systems. Cover the ground between the plants with mulch matting or an organic mulch to help to retain soil moisture and prevent weed growth. For the first few seasons, while the new plants are filling out, plant flowering perennials or annuals between them to provide extra color.

Carefully Dig and Lift the Bearded Iris Rhizomes

Bearded Iris are tall, elegant additions to the flower border, but they are also relatively high maintenance. You can help cut down on the incidence of soft rot and borer damage through regular division of the iris rhizomes every 2-3 years. This will also keep bearded iris performing and blooming at its best. If left undivided, the flowering will decrease and the rhizome will be subject to more pests and damage.

You can divide bearded iris anytime after flowering through August. Using a pitch fork, carefully dig around the bearded iris plant, starting about a foot away from the outer most edge. Try not to pierce the rhizome with the fork. Work the fork around the bearded iris plant and gently lift the rhizomes out of the soil. Since bearded iris are grown at soil level, this is one of the easiest plants to lift.