Secrets of the rabatka

«Bed» — this is how the name of this composition is translated from German, which is characterized by a rectangular elongated shape, limited to 2 meters wide and about 15 meters long.

Typically, such flower beds are placed along something: buildings, paths, front gardens, or zone the territory as a kind of dividers and delimiters.

There are several advantages of rabatka among other varieties of flower beds:

• Easy access to plants;
• Versatility that allows you to fit it into any space;
• The clarity of the lines and the geometry of the color pattern;
• Symmetry and rigor of form.

Schemes and options

Despite the obvious simplicity, rabatki are famous for their versatility, as they have a variety of species. For example, you can choose a suitable bed according to a certain planting method and their varieties, location, color scheme, and even composition.

So, you can choose one-sided, double-sided or intermittent option. In the first case, the flowers are planted along the length, while the tallest are located along one side, and on the opposite edge — undersized.

If the rabatka is located on a plain or lawn, then a two-sided planting is preferable, where long plants are placed in the center, and ground cover varieties take up places on the sides.

Even more interesting is the discontinuous composition, which combines several segments united by decorative elements or undersized bushes.

According to the location, flower beds are distinguished, built according to the principles of symmetry and asymmetry. Asymmetry in this case is a single bed located along an object, and symmetry suggests a more thoughtful flower bed inscribed in the middle of the site.

Plants play an important role in the discount, as in any flower composition, according to the indicators of the use of which there is also a division into:

• Annuals, which are flower beds of annual flowers;
• Perennial ridges, consisting of perennial flowers;
• Combined, combining both perennials and annuals;
• Single-component ones involve planting only one plant variety, but different colors;
• Multicomponent — planting several varieties;

Also popular is the design of flower beds in colors: one-, two-, multi-color, contrast and monochrome.

The rabatka scheme is also different in composition:

• Single-tier, involving the use of plants of predominantly the same height;
• Bunk combines two rows of varieties of different heights;
• Multi-tiered — a staircase composition with a clear selection of three or more levels.

Step-by-step instruction

To make a discount “like in the picture” with your own hands, you don’t have to study tons of horticultural literature or pay for special master classes. It will be enough just to follow the steps of the step-by-step instructions below:

Choose a suitable place that will match the desired shape of the future flower bed, as well as meet the needs of the plants planted on it (illumination, humidity, wind protection, topography, soil nature, unhindered watering and access).

Or, on the contrary, starting from the chosen place, pick up suitable varieties.

Build a planting plan, determine what place each of the plants will take. Study photos of already designed discounts, adopt ideas, get inspired.

Start building: determine the dimensions, use pegs, ropes or boards to outline the boundaries. Fill the space with prepared soil: loosen the soil, treat with weed and pest control, remove the top (ten cm) layer of earth in a few days, mix the resulting mass with fertilizers (peat, sand, trace elements, and so on), return to the garden, level, moisten and leave to shrink.

When constructing a multi-level composition, make appropriate embankments, mounds. In accordance with the plan, plant plants, keeping in mind the indicative rules (4 high or 10 low per square meter).

Also, do not forget about your imagination. For example, if the rabatka is located along a long path, then you can divide it into several «islands», sections, placing an accent in each in the form of a tall rose bush or peonies.

Suitable plants

The modern plant market is striking in its diversity, so it is sometimes difficult for a novice gardener to decide on the filling of flower beds. Among all varieties, the following types are most suitable for the design of discounts in the country:

• Tall dwarf spruce, peonies, roses, asters, marigolds, juniper;
• Medium irises, yarrow, lilies, lupins, snowdrops, astilba, tulips, chrysanthemums, dahlias, daisies, phloxes, crocuses.
• Low petunia, pansies, marigold, verbena, nasturtium, Japanese maple, stonecrop, saxifrage, creeping juniper and thuja.

Additional decoration

Also, one should not forget about the additional decoration of the rabatok, which will give the composition integrity and harmony with the environment.

So, a fence made of stones or a miniature fence, combined with flowers of cobblestones, snags or garden tools (from a broken wooden cart, a barrel to a gnome figurine) will not be superfluous in the garden. The smooth transition of a lushly growing flower bed into a calm and even lawn looks very impressive.

DIY rabatka is a simple, economical and effective way to make your garden even brighter and more attractive. The versatility of the composition, fitting into any terrain, the ability to combine a flower bed with a path or any building make it indispensable in the design of a summer cottage.

The main thing is that such a “bed” does not require special landscape design skills, because everyone can plant flowers along conditional lines, but the effect is first-class.

Photo rabatki