Plants for a naturalistic border

Magenta brook thistles amongst delicate grasses

Naturalistic planting takes its cue from how plants naturally grow in nature - informal, in large swathes, according to their ecological preferences. Nature has a canny knack of producing fabulous plant combinations and this inspires the naturalistic planting style.

In contrast to a herbaceous border, naturalistic borders rely less on colour, with plant textures playing an important role. Airy, see-through plants of different heights and forms play a starring role, along with self-seeders. The effect, while carefully planned, looks spontaneous and natural - a more stylised version of how plants grow in the wild.

You can create a naturalistic effect in different parts of the garden, depending on the conditions - you could take inspiration from a woodland edge or the base of a hedgerow in a semi-shaded spot, or a wildflower meadow in a sunny one. You don't have to dig up existing plants to get the look - simply adding a few grasses or airy plants will give a more natural look.

If you want to take the look a step further, choose a variety of flower shapes, such as umbels, spires and buttons and plant in bold drifts, swathes or clusters for a natural look. Avoid any plants that form dense clumps or have a lot of leaves on their stems, to ensure an airy, transparent effect - ornamental grasses are perfect for this.

Choose plants that flower for a long time and have interesting seedheads once they have died back in winter. Plant densely so that you have no bare soil showing - this also has the added advantage of keeping down weeds - and mix up heights for a more spontaneous look. The naturalistic look mixes native and non-native plants but avoids highly bred bedding plants and perennials - stick to those that have single flowers for a more natural look (these are better for wildlife, too).

Here are some plant suggestions for the naturalistic look.

Brook thistle

Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum' is an ornamental thistle with deep purple flowers on elegant, long, leafless stems. Grow in moist but well-drained soil, in full sun. Leave plants intact after they have died back to provide a winter source of food for birds.

Cirsium rivulare and Deschampsia cespitosa — Magenta brook thistles amongst delicate grasses

Achillea

The flat flower heads of achilleas contrast beautifully with the upright, airy stems of grasses. Achillea millefolium is a perennial wildflower, often found growing in grassland, roadsides and waste ground. It has feathery, aromatic leaves and flat flower heads, which are attractive to pollinators. The many cultivars, come in a variety of colours. Grow in free-draining soil in full sun.

Thalictrum

Thalictrums (meadow rue) are perfect for the naturalistic look - they're tall but airy perennials with sprays of small flowers. Thalictrum delavayi produces airy clouds of lilac to white flowers from midsummer to autumn. Grow in moist soil in partial shade.

Stipa tenuissima

For an instant naturalistic look, add some Stipa tenuissima to your borders. Easy to grow and compact, it's hard to name a plant that it doesn't combine well with. The seedheads are a useful winter food source for finches and other seed-eating birds. Grow Stipa tenuissima in well-drained soil in full sun.

Veronicastrum

Veronicastrums (culver's root) bears elegant spikes of flowers from summer to autumn, which are a magnet for bees and other pollinators. Grow veronicastrums in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering.

Echinacea

Echinaceas have daisy like flowers that combine especially well with grasses. They are easy to grow as they tolerate most soils, and their sturdy stems mean that they don't need staking. The long-lived flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators. Grow in drifts, in full sun.

Hardy geranium

Hardy geraniums are versatile plants that thrive in all kinds of conditions, and they look great planted in drifts. Geranium nodosum, pictured, is especially useful in areas of dry shade. Discover 10 hardy geraniums to grow.