This collection of garden edging ideas will help you define garden borders, highlight an area, add texture and dress up your landscape.
Often overlooked, lawn and flower bed edging can play an important role in your landscape design plan to improve your property’s overall curb appeal. Edging comes down to simply separating two distinct areas.
Not all of these landscape edging ideas will fit your garden. You may love the look but they simply are not practical, affordable or the style of your garden.
Keep in mind as with many things in the landscape and garden there are NO RULES. Landscape edging comes down to your style, creativity, materials and budget.
The materials used for edging come in a wide range of choices and combinations: stone, concrete, brick, wood, tiles, metal, plates, glass, gabion, logs, and all kinds of things recyclable items.
Let’s face it, upcycling is popular for use in the garden. Many of the garden edging ideas below incorporate some type of upcycled material and most of the ideas include sources to tutorials. Let’s get started!
Concrete Edging And Curbing
Broken concrete makes for great garden edging.The word “concrete” can sound very hard and cold, but a concrete edge offers lots of design opportunities.
source: plantedwell.comThe arrangement of these flat stone or “broken concrete” around the corner of the house draws attention to the hostas and other foliage planted against the foundation border edge of the house. It’s always a good idea to install landscape fabric and edging in that order.
Poured Form Concrete Garden Border
source: pinterestThis edging comes uses concrete to form a curbing. The construction of these concrete landscape borders is made onsite and very permanent. The concrete can also be stained or painted. It’s a nice way to edge around a tree.
If you’re curious on “how much does concrete curbing cost per foot”? HomeAdvisor estimates $4-5 per square foot.
Brick Garden Edging
When we think of edging materials in most yard landscaping projects we think of brick edging and as you’ll see, bricks and pavers can be used to create a landscape edge in many ways.
source: gardeenworld.blogspot.comNeatly assembled stone tiles placed flat in a shallow trench make a garden edging which forms a nice barrier between the garden bed and grass. A neat clean look which provides uniformity to the landscape. A way to edge a flower bed with bricks that makes mowing easier.
source: flickrWhat’s interesting about this garden edging idea is that it is very symmetrical. The square shapes made of 4 bricks makes the edging look clean and distinct. However, the center of each “square” carries a different design.
source: buzzfeedHow can you dress up brick edging during the evening hours is by having a rope lighting strip tucked away on the inside of a rock lawn edging. This is a very simple way to bring a lot of style to the garden. It looks almost mystical in the way that it seems to generate light from nowhere.
source: thechicsite.comWe see bricks used as edging all the time to separate the lawn edge from flower beds. Turning the bricks on their side creates an entirely different look in the garden design and give yet another way to lay brick edging for front yard and backyard landscaping.
source: ny timesIt is an old style look that has a new style when it comes to the brick. It almost looks like a wave that is leading the way for you.
source: pinterestA beautiful eye-catching brick garden edging idea due to the symmetrical shape. The tiny blocks inside the edging give it a very suburban look.
Metal Landscape Edging For A Rustic Look and Feel
Photo by OLIVINE Land – More contemporary landscape ideas
By raising the height of the garden and installing metal landscape edging this winding “rusty” steel edging gives a contemporary look that calls your attention.
Corrugated Steel Panels Installed Vertically As Garden Edging
source: homeimprovementpages.com.auI love the neat look of this landscape edging idea. It gives a very minimalist garden feel, looks clean and simple. The colors are not too busy and makes the yard feel peaceful. As a bonus the panels used full size did not require any cut of the metal landscape edging.
Metal Edging Laid In A Zig Zag Pattern
source: smallgardening.comThe short and long metal edge gives it a very simple look. It’s nothing extravagant or eye-catching, but it gets the job done. Paint the thin steel edge sheets if desired.
Gabion Wall Used As Edging
source: greenlandscapestoenvy.comThis kind of garden edging called “gabion” offers lots of possibilities. It looks natural yet structured but blends in well with the natural environment. It’s also quite sturdy, and should hold up well.
source: plantedwell.comThis gabion garden wall edging works as a retaining wall holding plants and soil. This edging serves as a garden focal piece.
Garden Edging Stone
Stone edging ranks right up their with brick edging as a popular material to separate areas. Generally, stone carries a low cost but does require some “heavy” labor to get it all in place. However, stone edging does produce impressive results.
Stone and rocks come in so many shapes, sizes, colors, looks and textures. This allows the use of stone as a stand alone in edging or combined with different stones to achieve interesting looks.
Stacked Flat Edging Stones
source: hoselinkThis shows a nice way to edge a flower bed using short flat tiled rocks stacked on top of each other. A simple design with a casual look and feel separates the lawn edge from the mulch and flower bed.
Garden Stones Used As Simple Clean Edging Of A Deck
source: amazing gardens.co.ukThis uncommon way to differentiate the deck from where the garden starts, but adds a “polish” to the design. The small garden stone rock border makes a world of difference when stepping out to take in the view.
Crushed Rock Filling In Between Bricks
source: belmanlivingThis lawn edging idea provides a contrast with brick and a wide strip of crushed rock. The small height of the stone but the sudden change of color makes it a clear boundary but doesn’t intrude in the landscape design.
source: modernindenver.comThe contrast of light and dark stones along with different sizes complement each other quite well next to the concrete stepping stones. It gives a concrete definition of where the walkway ends and where the border begins.
Stones Combined with Brick Edging
source: pinterestThis edging made up of smooth rocks and bricks gives off a very natural but not too manicured and perfect look. Simple yet the way it spirals gives it an impressive flair. As you can see… no complicated “install stone landscape edging” instructions. The stones were laid edged right up to the bricks and followed the garden path.
source: homebn.comThe graduated stone bed is an excellent contrast. The small stones create a nice transition border, while the large stones make up the bed. It’s a very pleasing way to implement a natural border.
source: secretgardenlandscaping.comBowling ball size rocks compose this edging The rocks and plants make you feel walking to or from a beach!
Wood Landscape Edging
Wood like brick and stone comes in many form. The most common edging using wood is the raised garden bed but as you’ll see… more types exist!
Railway Ties As Garden Borders
source: gardeningschool.orgThis garden edging happens to be one of my favorites. Railroad sleepers placed at angles to the fence and ONLY one plant (like a sago palm) in each “growing area.” The biggest issue I see comes with maintaining the grass.
Vertical Railway Sleepers
source: kilgraney.comThese railroad ties cut at uneven lengths make this garden edging unique. It adds a casual look and feel.
source: pinterestWe often think of the garden edging being the accent. In a twist, this edging gets an accent with stones resembling two small feet next to each other. It shows how using the resources around you can turn simple into beauty.
source: farmandfoundry.comThis garden edging looks like a miniature fence. It does serve as a symbol saying keep out of my plants but in a playful way.
source: growingdesigns.co.ukThis garden bed looks similar to the uneven railroad ties, but uses a landscape timber and this edging does not vary in height but also deliver a very attractive and natural feel.
Scrap Treated Wood As Garden Edging
source: theownerbuildernetwork.coThe mini boards from possibly a pallet of this garden edging are high enough to define the garden bed. Not my style but that’s OK.
Cut Tree Trunks Laid Out As Edging
source: hometalkThis edging you don’t notice due to the bottle walkway. Lots of detail when into the walkway bit the edging looks to me like an afterthought.
Garden Edging Made From Pallets
source: lovelifesimplifiedThe look of this garden edging looks very “homey” as though the creation appears to be part of a project. The cut apart pallets give a very western feel.
Woven Garden Hoses Used As Edging
source: karapaslaydesigns.com
A unique and beautiful way to create a one-of-a-kind fence. The best part is breathing new life into old garden hoses destined for the dump.
Braided and Woven Vines
source: sad.co.uaThis woven garden edging gives off a rustic feel. A lot of work involved in thing edging idea.
Manufactured Landscape Edging
For some the easiest method to edge the flower bed or lawn sits on a shelf down at the local garden center. Pre-made, usually manufactured plastic edging makes for quick installation. All come with “how to install landscape edging” instructions.
EasyFlex No Dig Edging
source: amazonThis manufactured plastic edge material delivers a simple, minimalist look. Perfect for a quick fix and barely noticeable in any garden.
Grey Cobbled Stone Plastic Garden Edging
source: pinterestThis manufactured garden edging is thin, made of a plastic material with a brick edge design face. The extra room allows you more space to plant flowers and shrubs. The color does not take away from the beautiful colors of the plants and is easy to install.
Flexi-Curve Garden Edge
source: menard’sThe edging in this garden makes it look spotless. The beautifully crafted designs are very eye catching.
source: haddonstone.comThis manufactured garden edging looks beautiful in white. It almost looks as though it is made from marble. It has a bit of a slope where the plants lay on top.
Landscape Border Ideas We Can Only Call Unique!
Glass Bottles Recycled Into A Garden Border
source: thegreenbacksgal.comGlass bottles catch the eye and help provide a landscape border to keep certain pests out of the yard. It’s a good craft if you have multiple, uneven-sized bottles – any size or shape can easily fit the wall! Not sure about the safety level though!
China Plate Garden Edging
source: 33barefootlaneThese dinner plates make a very uncommon way to set up a garden border. Using plates that would otherwise sit in a china cabinet is an excellent way to make use of items that usually remain “off limits.”
Terra Cotta Pots Fashioned Into A Garden Border
source: om mig This garden edging is very different from others. The terra cotta pots laid out make for an interesting, whimsical look. The tubular shape also adds a nice effect.
Collected Bowling Balls Used As An Edging
source: beth evans ramosNot much to say about this landscape edging design. Just an excellent example of quirky garden edging with no rules.
Collected Hubcaps Made Into Edging
source: beth evans ramosThis edging made from hubcaps is a great way to reuse and recycle. These hubcap flowers offer another idea. A fun conversation starter, and unique design. Not sure how much work it would take to collect them all!
Recycled Bicycle Wheels Used As Garden Edging
source: reciclaedecora.comThe bicycle wheels provide a great use for older bikes. They also ensure that plants along the border get enough exposure to the elements needed to grow. This edging would be a difficult “assemble” in many areas to acquire the bike rims.
Border FAQ’s
What are some good perennials for planting along the front of the border?
- Alyssum saxatile compactum
- Dianthus plumarius
- Statice longifolia
- Plumbago larpentiae
- Dwarf Asters
- Veronica spicata nana
- Arabis alpina
- Silene maritima
- Tunica saxifraga
- Veronica rupestris
- Nepeta mussini
What are some medium-height perennials to use on the center of the border?
- Campanula persicifolia (Peachleaf Bellflower)
- Artemisia Silver King
- Achillea ptarmica
- Aquilegia coerulea
- Paradisea liliastrum major
- Dicentra eximia
- Eupatorium coelestinum (syn. Conoclinium coelestinum)
- Veronica longifolia subsessilis
- Gypsophila paniculata compacta
Which are some of the best tall-growing perennials for a border?
- Macleaya cordata
- Thalictrum aquilegifolium (meadow rue)
- Phlox paniculata hybrids
- Helenium autumnale
- Rudbeckia purpurea
- Delphinium hybrids
- Asters (tall named varieties)
- Cimicifuga racemosa (Black Cohosh)
- Campanula pyramidalis
These edging ideas are only the tip of the iceberg… just use your imagination!