The Herbaceous Border in the King’s Gardens, also known as Rosenborg Castle Gardens, is reckoned to be the longest in Northern Europe. There are around 200 different plants in this vast, colourful flowerbed.
The border runs along Sølvgade at the northern end of the King’s Gardens. Before the Herbaceous Border was laid out, this part of the gardens, with its greenhouses and fruit trees, was used as a kitchen garden for the royal household.
The Herbaceous Border was laid out in the early 20th century and was initially 120 metres long and 7 metres wide. It was extended to 240 metres in length in the 1970s.
Remodelling
Between 1998 and 2000 the border was remodelled to a design by landscape architect Sonja Polls. The new design was inspired by the herbaceous borders of Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932), who was famous for her innovative way of working with planting compositions, colour harmonies and contrasts.
The design
The Herbaceous Border is framed by a beech hedge on the garden side. Creepers and low shrubs have been planted along the wall. The colours are divided into blocks with simple contrasts and gradual transitions between the blocks. The colours change from warm tones on the fringes of the bed to cooler tones in the middle.
Maintenance
The most important part of maintaining the Herbaceous Border consists of dividing plants and planting new perennials every year. As a general rule it can be expected that a sixth of the plants in the bed will have to be divided or replanted each year.
Last updated:: Wednesday, March 18, 2009
