BORDER, in gardening, is made to inclose parterres, that they may not be injured by walking in them.
Borders are made either circular, strait, or in cants;
and are turned into knots, scrolls, volutes, and other compartments. They are rendered very ornamental by the flowers, shrubs, yews, &c. that are raised in them. They are always laid with a sharp rising in the middle; because, if they are flat, they are no-ways agreeable to the eye: And as for their breadth, the largest are allowed five or six feet, and the lesser commonly four. There are four sorts, 1. Those continued about parterres, without any interruption. 2. Those cut into compartments and convenient distances by small passages; these two are raised in the middle, and adorned with flowers and shrubs. 3. Even and flat ones, without flowers. And, 4. Quite plain borders, only fenced, as in parterres of orangery.