Creative Edges for Garden Borders and Paths
See how to finish your flower beds and pathways with stylish edgings of brick, steel or stone
To give your garden a finished look, think about edging your borders. There are a bunch options, and the one you choose will depend on the style of your yard and the shape of your flower beds. Check out these creative and often inexpensive landscape edging ideas for inspiration.
2. Lay bricks higher than the surface. You also could position the bricks above the ground. This mini wall adds interest to the space and allows plants to attractively tumble over it.
This idea works well to separate a flower bed from a patio, but bear in mind that you’ll need to get out the shears or string trimmer to keep lawn edges tidy.
This idea works well to separate a flower bed from a patio, but bear in mind that you’ll need to get out the shears or string trimmer to keep lawn edges tidy.
3. Lay bricks on an angle. For a cottage-style yard, consider saw-toothed brick edging.
The zigzag look is created by laying bricks along a trench at an angle. Use a string line to make sure the points are at the same level and pack each brick tightly with soil.
If you’d like your saw-toothed edge to be more secure, consider using cement to form a base.
The zigzag look is created by laying bricks along a trench at an angle. Use a string line to make sure the points are at the same level and pack each brick tightly with soil.
If you’d like your saw-toothed edge to be more secure, consider using cement to form a base.
4. Try a rope look-alike. Classic Victorian rope-top edging is a good choice if you’re looking for something that’s in keeping with a traditional house.
You can buy these clay designs in either straight or curved styles. Many come with a mowing strip, or a lip that protrudes out to the lawn. The strip sits flush with the ground to make it easier to mow up to the edge.
You can buy these clay designs in either straight or curved styles. Many come with a mowing strip, or a lip that protrudes out to the lawn. The strip sits flush with the ground to make it easier to mow up to the edge.
5. Use railroad ties horizontally. Railroad ties have been popular for building steps and raised beds for a while, but you also can use them around the perimeter of your yard to create an edge for your borders. Here, two straight runs sit opposite each other, with smaller, more interesting beds at the end.
Home improvement stores stock railroad ties. Whether you go for new or reclaimed ties, make sure you buy untreated ones since the chemicals can damage your plants.
Home improvement stores stock railroad ties. Whether you go for new or reclaimed ties, make sure you buy untreated ones since the chemicals can damage your plants.
6. Use railroad ties vertically. For something more sculptural, try a creative edging idea like this. Oak railroad ties inserted upright into the ground form a jagged line separating the flower bed from the lawn.
7. Keep it sleek with steel. If you’re looking for an unobtrusive edge, a steel design like this is ideal. Lengths of steel can be inserted into the ground to form a thin but durable division between the borders and the adjacent lawn or path.
There are different types available with various installations, but many have sharp pegs along the bottom edge to go into the ground easily. It’s also possible to manipulate the steel around a curved border.
There are different types available with various installations, but many have sharp pegs along the bottom edge to go into the ground easily. It’s also possible to manipulate the steel around a curved border.
8. Tie in to the backdrop. In a contemporary outdoor space like this, a cohesive look works well. One way to achieve this is to paint your border edging the same color as other structures in the yard.
Construct an edge from wood, stone or concrete and use exterior paint to tie it in with the rest of the space. This white edging combines with the bright white walls to create a striking frame for the plants.
Construct an edge from wood, stone or concrete and use exterior paint to tie it in with the rest of the space. This white edging combines with the bright white walls to create a striking frame for the plants.
9. Build a rock wall. Looking for something rustic and traditional? Try a dry-stacked stone wall, which provides a rugged, natural edge to a flower bed. These stones look informal and slightly haphazard, but in fact they’re carefully arranged to ensure that they stay in place.
There’s a technique to creating a wall like this since the stones need to be tightly packed. Once installed, the edging will give your yard loads of character.
Read more about dry-stacked stone walls
There’s a technique to creating a wall like this since the stones need to be tightly packed. Once installed, the edging will give your yard loads of character.
Read more about dry-stacked stone walls
10. Continue the patio. In this contemporary garden, the designers used the stone from the patio to create a striking edge around the straight flower beds. The continuation of materials is simple yet effective, and the wide, flush edges are practical for passing the mower over too.
Tell us: What did you use to edge your flower beds? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
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Get an Edge: The Best Border Material for Your Garden
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Tell us: What did you use to edge your flower beds? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
More
Get an Edge: The Best Border Material for Your Garden
Find a landscape architect or designer
Browse lawn and garden products
These bricks separate the borders from the path and allow the flowers to hang over the walkway without blocking it.
Bricks can be an inexpensive edging material. There are online tutorials that show you how to lay a row of bricks between the border and the lawn, but for a really attractive finish, it’s best to get help from an expert.
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