Free Garden Border Design Templates for UK Gardens

A well-planned garden border can transform your outdoor space. Borders frame lawns, soften hard landscaping, and provide seasonal interest. The right design brings structure, colour, and personality to your garden all year round.

This guide shares free garden border design templates you can adapt for your own space. They suit a variety of garden sizes and styles across the UK.

Why Use a Garden Border Design Template?

A template gives you a clear starting point. It outlines plant positions, heights, and colours so you can see how everything works together.

Using a template helps you:

• Avoid gaps or overcrowding.

• Achieve year-round interest.

• Save time on planning.

• Match plants to your soil and light conditions.

In our full garden redesign in Thames Ditton, layered borders frame the seating area and connect the garden to the surrounding landscape.

Template 1: Cottage Garden Border

Best for: Sunny gardens with free-draining soil

This style mixes perennials, annuals, and shrubs for a relaxed, full look.

Plants to include:

• Delphiniums for height and colour.

• Lavender for scent and structure.

• Geraniums for long flowering periods.

• Roses for romantic focal points.

Use curved edges for a natural flow. Gravel paths beside the border make maintenance easier.

Template 2: Modern Minimalist Border

Best for: Contemporary gardens and low-maintenance planting

This style focuses on structure and clean lines.

Plants to include:

• Ornamental grasses like Miscanthus or Stipa.

• Architectural shrubs such as Phormium or Pittosporum.

• Evergreen groundcovers for year-round coverage.

Straight-edged raised beds, like those in our new build garden in Waltham Cross, work well with this approach.

Template 3: Shady Garden Border

Best for: North- or east-facing gardens

Shade-loving plants bring texture and variety to darker areas.

Plants to include:

• Ferns for lush foliage.

• Hostas for bold leaves.

• Astrantia for delicate flowers.

• Heuchera for year-round colour.

Template 4: Pollinator-Friendly Border

Best for: Supporting wildlife and biodiversity

A pollinator-friendly border is full of nectar-rich plants that attract bees and butterflies.

Plants to include:

• Echinacea for summer colour.

• Buddleia to draw butterflies.

• Alliums for early season interest.

• Verbena bonariensis for height and movement.

If you want to make biodiversity a key feature, consider a full garden design that includes water features, native planting, and habitat areas.

How to Adapt Templates to Your Garden

1. Measure your space – length, width, and light exposure.

2. Choose your style – match it to your home and garden layout.

3. Select suitable plants – check your soil type and hardiness zone.

4. Plan maintenance – pick plants that suit the time you have for care.

In our family garden in Beckenham, borders are designed for easy upkeep while still looking vibrant.

Tips for Planting Borders

• Group plants in odd numbers for a natural look.

• Repeat key plants for rhythm and flow.

• Mix evergreen and deciduous species for year-round interest.

• Mulch annually to improve soil and retain moisture.

Final Thoughts

Using a garden border design template is a smart way to create a cohesive, beautiful border without the trial and error. Choose a style that fits your space and personality, and adapt it to suit your local conditions.