I use a string trimmer (a.k.a. weed-eater) to trim everything that my mower can't reach. That includes driveways, sidewalks, flower beds, around fixed objects, you name it. As for how to trim around the flower beds, the edging should be at least as tall as the grass. Then turn the trimmer at an angle (the string about 45 degrees to the ground and let the string lightly make contact with the edging. This will trim the grass neatly for you. Of course this will take a little practice. Most everyone that I know does it this way. Much easier that cutting it by hand.

Hi Eibren, Actually something similar JUST happened to me: I woke up Saturday morning to my beloved Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon pulled straight out by it's tiny trunk, roots and all, and dumped unceremoniously on my front step. Obviously not the work of animals, the assumption is that it was drunks passing through, but it still broke my heart and infuriated me (I've replanted and watered daily, it doesn't look like it's going to make it). Last month is was my Allium Giaganteum from the same small garden, someone simply stole the bloom, but the description is much like yours, with the shredded stem. Before this Friday night I have every intention of "staking" up all of my favourites in the front yard. It just so happens that I recently trimmed my wild black-raspberry canes in the back yard (extremely thorny and painful to touch), and I'm think they'll make perfect stakes, twist-tied to the stems of anything I care about. I'd love to watch someone grab a handful of that! Best of luck with your lilies, I'm hoping that they come back next year healthy as ever! (It was also suggested to me that I set up a webcam in my front window - which doesn't work for me, but maybe would for you)

Ignore the last photo, if you guys could help me apply a basic layout formula to this building, we can then work the rocks in, even if it is only to add groundcover to softer the sides. Should the 2 building be viewed as one? larger trees on outer corners? welcoming entry in the middle? Welcoming entry to the front and center emergency doors feels wrong and confusing. The center tree needs a few more limbs off... Thank you everyone here for all the help you provide. I was clueless, now I see that there is so much to know that my head is spinning. Thank you April

Doesn't appear that you have space under the threshold for pavers. Have you considered digging the side landscape areas so that the mulch sits below the edge of the sidewalk? If you do so, make sure to "angle" the dirt away from the home.