Do the border shuffle

Toby explains how to turn borders into summer stunners by lifting, dividing and replanting key herbaceous plants

- Toby Buckland

THERE are two types of people,’ read the words of Indira Gandhi, India’s former Prime Minister, from a sun-faded poster taped to the wall of the gardener’s bothy: ‘Those who do the work, and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group, as there’s less competition there.’

As a student gardener paid to do my superior’s bidding, her words seemed very apposite. Although credit always went to the management, the February work of ‘shuffling’ plants in the borders was – and still is – work that I relished.

Herbaceous plants that go to ground for winter rarely stay in one place, and either outgrow their space or fade and disappear. February, when the new buds are recognisable as they break through the soil, is a window to put them back in their place or bulk up their numbers.