Landscape edging ideas that define and elevate your yard

One of the most neglected elements of landscaping design is the garden edging. Everyone thinks about the plants and flowers, but nobody thinks about a definition of the space where they meet. Without edging, garden beds can look untidy, grass or other plantings can creep in, and soil or mulch can spill out, requiring more labor. That’s where the landscaping edging comes in. Landscape edging keeps the garden beds at bay against the grass, and walkway edging prevents grass from encroaching on the path.

Landscape edging keeps the garden beds set away from the grass, while walkway edging keeps grass out of the path. It’s a barrier to keep grass out of flower beds, it keeps soil in place and works as a divider to keep plant roots where people want them and where they belong. All of which means less maintenance and a tidier yard. Not only does edging have a practical function, but it also makes the yard look nicer.

The Purpose of Landscape Edging

The use of landscape edging can be advantageous in several ways and may contribute to the overall function and look of the yard. Whether it is to stop unwanted plants from growing or beautifying a garden, it is an important aspect necessary for keeping a garden orderly and well-defined.

Functionality

A big part of the reason to use landscape edging is to prevent grasses and weeds from infiltrating garden beds. Without a good edge, grass will grow into flower beds and without a weed barrier along with proper edging, weeds will creep through, and people end up with an absolute mess. Installing edging keeps the garden protected and prevents the need for constant weeding and trimming.

Another key role of an edge is to inhibit the spread of soil, mulch, and even decorative products. These materials can otherwise easily spill onto the lawn or walkways without a barrier. This is particularly frustrating for mulched places, since it's easy for things to blow and drift and gardeners have to clean up all the time. Edging keeps these materials in place where they’re needed, which makes maintenance easier and less time-consuming.

Edging also makes mowing a lawn easier by creating a distinct edge to mow against. Lawn mowers tend to chew up the areas around garden beds and walkways, but edging can help keep the mower on a path that won’t result in uneven areas or create missing patches of grass.

Aesthetic Appeal

Landscape edging also improves aesthetic appeal. It aids in defining garden spaces, establishing clean lines that divide up sections of the garden. Whether it is a flower bed, garden or backyard lawn, edging can give the space a clean and organized appearance.

The right edging can also enhance a yard's design by drawing attention to garden beds. Metal edging, for instance, adds a contemporary, polished and minimalist aspect, while stone or wood edging will feel more natural, modern or rustic. Edging is an easy way to improve the look of the garden and make it look tidier.

Best Landscape Edging Materials and Styles

Selecting the best landscaping edging material really depends on a few different factors, including appearance, budget and maintenance. Here are some of the best landscape edging materials Growcycle has to offer:

1. Natural Materials

Stone

Stone is one of the classic materials for landscape edging. There are many different types of stone to be had that give an aesthetic value and practical purposes to the landscape.

• Types: River rocks, flagstone, cobblestones.
• Pros:
• Durable: Made of stone material, this stone edging is weather-proof and durable to last for a long time, and is sturdy enough to serve for a long time.
• Blends Well with Nature: Earthy in tones and textures, it’s the perfect stone to seamlessly blend into gardenscapes and landscapes for a rustic or natural design.

Panacea® Polished River Rock adds a pop of vivid color, texture, and natural beauty to the floral creations. Ideal for landscape edging, fountains, potted plants, floral arrangements, or an eye-catching accent for candles.

Wood

Wood is the material of choice for those who prefer a more natural, rustic look. It also provides warmth and texture in garden spaces, and can be a very cost-effective choice, although that depends on the type of wood users use.

• Types: Timber, logs, bamboo.
• Pros:
• Rustic Charm: Wood gives a natural, earthen vibe to garden beds, which is ideal for cottage-style or country gardens.
• Eco-friendly: Wood is a recyclable material that’s perfect for homeowners who are looking to be more environmentally friendly in their landscaping.

A&G Agricultural Supply presents a natural 15-17 mm x 4' bamboo stake, perfect to support the plants or gardening and adds an elegance to the landscape design.

Brick

Brick is a timeless edge material that can look good with almost any style of garden. It's been used for aesthetics and functionality for hundreds of years.

• Types: Traditional red, reclaimed, or decorative bricks.
• Pros:
• Classic Look: Bricks have a classic look and feel and are perfect for formal gardens, patios, and walkways. It is flexible and can complement both traditional and modern garden designs.
• Versatile in Design: Bricks can be placed in various patterns, for example in herringbone or straight rows making it possible to be creative.

2. Manufactured Materials

Concrete

Concrete edging is extremely durable and a very flexible material, and is one of the things that has made concrete edging really popular today. It is moldable to any shape or design, so it can be customized to fit any garden design, large or small.

• Types: Precast blocks, poured curbing.
• Pros:
• Customizable: It can be moulded into practically any shape, which means the design choices are limited only by the imagination.
• Long-lasting: Concrete is a durable and weather resistant material that stands up well to the elements and is relatively low-maintenance and will last for many years.

Metal

Modern gardens are increasingly adopting metal edging. Products such as steel, aluminium and corten steel give a sleek, industrial look that sits nicely in a contemporary or minimalist garden.

• Types: Steel, aluminum, corten steel.
• Pros:
• Sleek, Modern Appearance: Metal brings a clean and crisp look to gardens and is suitable for modern or urban designs.
• Durable: Metal is indestructible and impervious to most weather systems, particularly materials such as corten steel, that form a rust-like patina once exposed to the elements, generating a unique rustic aesthetic.

The 1" x 12" Permaloc Aluminum Stake in Green is a durable and efficient solution for anchoring aluminum landscape edging systems, such as Permaloc's CleanLine, ProLine, ProSlide, and ProSlide LT series. Made of durable, high-quality aluminum, this stake will last for years to come, even in the harshest of elements.

Plastic/Rubber

Plastics and rubber are among the least expensive and easiest to install landscape edging solutions. They are pliable and can be formed into any shape, to fit any garden shape.

• Types: Flexible edging rolls, molded borders.
• Pros:
• Easy to Install: The products are light and easy to install, even for novices.
• Budget-Friendly: Plastic and rubber edging are among the least expensive edging material options, so it’s perfect for anyone with a tight budget.

This item installs in minutes using only a mallet and a spade shovel. The user can even form perfect circles. Its unique hinge design allows the board to have a curving action, great for making a feature of garden edging. A great solution for paver walkways to keep bedding materials in place, it also makes crisp 90º corners effortlessly.

3. Living Edging

The use of living edging is when plants are used as an edge to garden beds. This solution gives a splash of color, texture, and life to any backyard, offering a gentler, more natural feel than harder materials.

• Types: Low-growing shrubs, herbs, or flowers.
• Pros:
• Softens Edges: A plant-based edge can soften up the hard lines of a garden and make that space feel more welcoming and natural.
• Adds Color and Texture: Depending on the plants selected, living edging can bring color, texture and, possibly, even fragrance to the garden.

Design Tips and Considerations

Here are some DIY lawn edging tips for choosing the perfect edging for the garden style, shape, and height.

Matching Materials to Garden Style

All garden styles call for different materials, and edging can really bring a look together.

• Modern Garden Edge Designs: For that minimalist, modern look, metal or concrete is generally the best option. Metal gives a neat, industrial edge, and concrete is shape-shiftable, so that the user can cut it into any form that suits the base best.
• Cottage Gardens: Use wood or bricks for a rustic approach to this type of garden. Wood, such as timber or logs, provide a natural, rustic touch that complements the informal saturated atmosphere of cottage gardens. Bricks are traditional and offer your garden a timeless vibe, and they can still work with a classic garden design.
• Naturalistic Gardens: If you want a garden that looks wild or natural, consider a stone edge or live plants. For a border, big flagstones or even little pebbles will cocoon the walkway and carry the exterior. Low-growing shrubs or flowers offer a green, living edge that welcomes wildlife to make homes, one that blends with the natural billow in the garden.

Curved vs. Straight Edges

The profile of the landscape edging can have a dramatic effect on the general mood of the garden.

• Curved Edges: Curves provide a flowing, organic look that mimics natural landscapes. This type of edging softens the lines of the garden, making it feel more relaxed and informal. Curved edges are ideal for gardens that aim for a whimsical or natural vibe.
• Straight Edges: Straight edges create a more formal and structured look. They form clean, bold lines that separate distinct parts of a garden. Formal Graft-edged gardens tend to be more uniform or geometric in form, and thus are appropriate for formal or contemporary styles of garden.

Height and Depth

The height and depth of the edging are both significant dimensions that affect the utility and appearance of a garden. It will depend on the needs of the garden, such as the type of plant, garden beds, or the areas that need edging.

• Taller Edging: Higher edging is perfect for raised garden beds or when a clear division is needed between areas like lawns and footpaths. It is a great way to contain plant roots and prevent them from spreading into other sections of the yard.
• Shallow Edging: For edging paths or lawns, shallow edging is the best option. It’s understated but it works; it looks neat without taking over everything around it. Superficial edging discourages grass from creeping into flower beds or walkways, which will help with maintenance.

How to Install Landscape Edging?

The installation of garden edging for flower beds is fairly simple when prepared and planned carefully. There are a number of simple steps that can be followed to make sure that the edging is installed correctly and will last for a long time.

1. Planning

Before installing landscape edging, it’s worth it to plan this project to the user’s tastes.

• Mark the Desired Edge: Use a garden hose or spray paint to mark the space to be edged. This will be a clear visual of how your edging will look and will help decide the proper shape, if curved cuts are being made.
• Landscape Border Ideas: With perimeter edges in place, measure the length of the border and determine how much material will be needed. This prevents running out of material before the project is complete and makes sure there’s enough to finish the job.

2. Preparation

Preparation is half the battle and can be the most important aspect of an installation. It's worth spending the time to clean and prep the area because case preparation means an easier install and better results.

• Clear the Area: Clear the site of any grass, weeds, or debris where the edging will be placed. A clear, clean surface is essential for the edging to keep everything in place while preventing undesirable growth from taking over the garden beds.
• Dig a Trench: With a clean area to work in, dig a shallow trench for the edging to sit in with a spade or shovel. The trench should be deep enough to cover the height of the edging material so it’s held firmly in the ground and will not move.

3. Installation

When it's time to put in the edging, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions if you want to achieve years of a durable, stable installation.

• Follow Manufacturer Instructions: Follow the manufacturer's recommendations as methods vary for different materials. Just make sure to follow the guidelines for the cut for the edging material being used and it should work out fine.
• Ensure the Edging is Level and Secure: When laying down the edging, ensure that it is straight and even with the garden bed or path. Use a level to make sure the edging is even and secure it snugly. This will help to keep the edging from moving around or getting unlevel as time goes on.

4. Maintenance

But after the edging is installed the work is not yet finished; it must be maintained afterward to continue looking good and functioning properly.

• Regularly Check for Shifting or Damage: Edging can move over time, or be damaged through weather and mowing. If you have edging, look it over occasionally to make sure it’s still straight and in place. Repair any sections that have shifted or been damaged.
• Clean and Treat Materials: Certain edging materials need to be cleaned and treated to last longer. For all types of materials, users have to protect wood from rot by sealing it, protect metal from rust by treating it and protect concrete from stains by pressure washing and sealing it.

The Bottom Line

A garden simply looks better and more organized with landscape edging. It keeps garden beds separate from lawns or paths, prevents grass or weeds from spreading between them, and keeps mulch and soil in place. Edging is also decorative, whether using natural elements such as stone and wood, or contemporary alternatives like metal and concrete. Check out Growcycle for a range of landscaping edging solutions to match different styles and budgets. 

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, specializing in sustainable agriculture. With a passion for storytelling, he highlights the latest trends, innovations, and practices that promote ecological balance and responsible farming.