Garden edging refers to using living plants to create a defined border around different sections of a garden or yard. This natural edging enhances the garden’s beauty and makes it look neat while maintaining an organic look.
Plant-based edging serves multiple purposes besides making your outdoor space look attractive and tidy. It provides a clear visual boundary between garden areas, such as flower beds, lawns, and pathways. It helps organize the garden layout and create distinct zones. Additionally, plant edging can act as a natural barrier to prevent the spread of grass and weeds into flower beds, reducing maintenance work.
Using plants for edging adds texture, color, and seasonal interest to the garden. As these plants grow and change throughout the year, they contribute to the garden’s dynamic beauty. Plant-based edging also supports biodiversity by providing habitats for beneficial insects and other wildlife.
6 Edging Plants For Your Yard Or Garden
Plants used for edging are typically low-growing varieties that form a neat, continuous line. These plants can include small shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses, and groundcovers.
If you want to grow a plant edging to your lawn or garden, you need to choose the plants carefully and get the placement right to achieve a cohesive border. Proper spacing, soil preparation, and regular maintenance are also key for achieving a healthy, attractive edge in the garden.
Below are some of the best edging plants for your garden or yard:
Creeping Thyme
Zones: USDA zones 4 to 9
Water: Drought tolerant – regular watering until after established
Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soils
Light: full sun but can tolerate partial shade
Creeping Thyme’s dense, mat-like growth helps suppress weeds. The fragrant foliage and compact growth create an attractive, natural border, effectively defining garden spaces. As an added bonus, its aromatic flowers attract pollinators, adding ecological value to the garden
Creeping Thyme is drought-tolerant and requires minimal water once established. Regular watering is needed initially, but after establishment, it can survive with minimal moisture.
Begonia
Zones: USDA zones 9 to 11
Water: Begonias require moderate watering
Soil: Begonias grow best in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
Light: Begonias thrive in partial shade to filtered sunlight.
Begonias are prized for their continuous blooms and attractive foliage, which add color and texture to garden borders. Their compact growth habit makes them perfect for defining garden edges and creating neat, colorful borders.
Additionally, begonias are relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning and deadheading to keep them looking their best. That said, be careful where you grow begonias because the harsh midday sun can scorch their leaves. These plants also prefer slightly acidic to neutral soils with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.0.
Creeping Phlox
Zones: USDA zones 3 to 9
Water: Drought tolerant – regular watering until after established
Soil: Well-draining soil loamy soils
Light: full sun to partial shade.
Creeping Phlox is known for its dense, mat-forming growth habit, which creates a lush, colorful carpet along garden edges. In spring, it produces masses of small, star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, and blue. This floral display adds vibrant color to garden borders and attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Creeping Phlox’s evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, making it an excellent choice for defining garden spaces. Its low-growing nature helps suppress weeds, reducing maintenance needs. Additionally, it is a hardy plant that can withstand various weather conditions, making it a reliable and long-lasting edging solution.
Liriope
Zones: USDA zones 5 to 10
Water: Drought tolerant – regular watering until after established
Soil: thrives in well-draining soils but is highly adaptable in various soil types, including clay, sandy, and loamy soils
Light: full sun to partial shade
AKA lilyturf, liriope makes an attractive garden edging thanks to its dense, grass-like evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage that forms neat, clumping borders. In late summer to early fall, it produces spikes of small, lavender or white flowers, followed by black or dark blue berries, adding seasonal interest to the garden.
Liriope is resistant to pests and diseases, further enhancing its low-maintenance appeal. Its ability to thrive in diverse conditions and provide continuous visual interest makes it a favorite among gardeners looking to enhance their landscapes.
Virginia Bluebells
Zones: USDA zones 3 to 8
Water: Drought tolerant – regular watering until after established
Soil: rich, well-draining soil – thrives in soils high in organic matter
Light: partial to full shade
With their stunning blooms and dense foliage, Virginia bluebells are often used to highlight shaded garden edges, under trees, or in woodland gardens. These perennials are also attractive to pollinators, including bees and butterflies, adding ecological value to the garden. Their early spring blooms provide much-needed nectar for these insects.
Virginia Bluebells are prized for their beautiful, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in early spring. The flowers start as pink buds and open into vibrant blue blooms, creating a striking display. Their delicate, nodding clusters add a touch of elegance to garden borders.
Virginia Bluebells’ lush green foliage forms a low, dense mat, making them excellent for edging. Once established, they are relatively low-maintenance and require minimal care. After blooming, the foliage dies back, allowing other plants to take the spotlight in the garden.
Marigolds
Zones: USDA zones 2 to 11
Water: Drought tolerant – regular watering until after established
Soil: rich, well-draining soil – thrives in soils high in organic matter
Light: full sun – at least six hours of direct sunlight daily
Marigolds are known for their bright, cheerful flowers that bloom in shades of yellow, orange, and red. These vibrant colors make them an excellent choice for creating eye-catching garden borders. Marigolds have a compact growth habit, forming neat, dense mounds that are perfect for edging. They thrive in various conditions and love the full sun.
On top of that, marigolds release a strong scent that deters many common garden pests, such as aphids and nematodes, making them a natural pest control option. This makes marigolds not only beautiful but also functional in maintaining the health of your garden.
How To Choose The Best Edging Plants
Choose the right edging plants based on growing conditions. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice.
Know your soil
Understanding your soil is essential for choosing the best edging plants for your garden. Soil can vary in texture, pH, and drainage, which can affect plant growth.
Determine whether your soil is sandy, loamy, or clay-based. You can do this by feeling the soil’s texture and observing how well it drains after watering. Knowing your soil type helps you select plants that will thrive in those conditions and establish strong roots.
Check the aspect and light levels of the area
Understanding the light conditions helps you choose plants that will thrive in those specific conditions, ensuring they grow and bloom beautifully.
To start, observe the amount of sunlight the area receives throughout the day to determine its aspect and light levels. Some plants prefer full sun, while others thrive in partial or full shade. Find out whether your garden gets morning sun or afternoon sun or is shaded by nearby structures or trees.
Consider climate and exposure
Consider your garden’s climate and exposure to environmental factors like wind and salt spray. Choose plants that are suitable for your climate and can tolerate your garden’s exposure. If your area experiences frost or extreme heat, select plants that are resilient to these conditions.
Coastal gardens may require plants that can tolerate salt spray and strong winds. Understanding your garden’s climate and exposure helps you choose plants that will thrive and remain healthy.
Measure the border
Measure the border accurately to plan your planting layout effectively and create a visually pleasing edge to your garden.
Before selecting edging plants, measure the length and width of your border. This will help you determine how many plants you’ll need and how far apart to space them for optimal growth and coverage. It will also ensure that you choose plants that fit the size of your border without overcrowding or leaving gaps.
Choose a garden style
Consider the overall style and theme of your garden when selecting edging plants. Whether your garden is formal, informal, cottage-style, or modern, choose plants that complement its aesthetic. Select plants with colors, textures, and shapes that align with your garden style for a cohesive and harmonious look. By choosing plants that enhance your garden’s style, you create a visually appealing and cohesive landscape design.
Choose and grow your border plants
Once you’ve checked your soil, light levels, climate, exposure, measured your border, and chosen a garden style, it’s time to select and plant your border plants.
Choose plants that meet your criteria for soil, light, climate, and garden style. Plant them according to their spacing requirements and provide adequate water and care to help them establish and thrive.
Regular maintenance, such as pruning and deadheading, keeps your border plants looking their best throughout the growing season. By carefully selecting and planting your border plants, you create a beautiful and functional edge to your yard or garden.
