Top 5 edging plants for easy and low maintenance garden borders

One of the staples of any yard is often a traditional garden border. Edging plants are wonderful editions to accent decks, walkways, and patios. Edging plants in garden borders can add much needed curb appeal to your property. They can also help you to create a tranquil oasis in your yard. In today’s blog, we present 5 easy and low maintenance garden edging plants. These plants will work great in any garden border. So grab your gardening gloves, and let’s dive in!

What is a garden border?

A garden border acts as a frame to help accent other areas of the garden. They are wonderful to add around structures in your yard like a sidewalk, walkway, shed, patio, deck, or pool. Garden borders come in many different shapes and sizes. You can construct a garden border from a variety of different garden edging plants. It all depends on the aesthetic you want to achieve. Perennial border or ones that feature only annuals are some options you can choose. The possibilities are endless when it comes to garden edging ideas!

What are some types of garden borders?

The design of your garden border will depend on the area you are working with. Also important is the look that you want to achieve. There are a few different types of garden edging ideas you may wish to consider:

Large shrub garden border

Try planting several of different forms of larger shrubbery. It is one of the easiest and low-maintenance ways to create a beautiful garden border. Shrubs come in both flowering and non-flowering varieties. Adding in a mix of both will give you interest in your garden during different seasons of the year. Two edging shrubs to consider for an edging border are rhododendrons, hydrangeas, etc.

Floral accent garden border

You can create a floral accent garden by blending a combination of annuals, perennials, or bushes. The goal here is to add interesting colour and texture to the yard. These types of borders look great around a vegetable garden. Perfect for attracting pollinators to your garden. Some gardeners will plan their floral accent border using a monochrome colour scheme. Others may opt for a blend of different colours. Here are some plants to consider when creating a floral accent garden border:

1. roses
2. impatiens
3. dianthus
4. creeping phlox
5. marigolds
6. celosia
7. echinacea

With so many different types of flowering plants to choose from, the possibilities are endless.

Mixed garden border

Mixed garden borders combine different types of plants together to create a beautiful display. Hostas, daylilies, irises, and dianthus are some easy and low maintenance options Try adding some this season to your mixed garden.

Herb garden border

Herbs often serve as a beautiful garden border with the bonus of many being edible. Many herbs also flower as well to help you add in colour to your garden. Herbs to consider for this type of border are thyme, rosemary, lavender, etc.

Small shrub garden border

A perfect edging plant to go around a driveway, walkway or deck is to use a garden border of boxwood hedges. Trim hedges to match any height you are looking for. Other than trimming, they are so easy to care for and a great low maintenance option. They also make a great option for lawn edging to frame in your yard and offer privacy.

Questions to ask when planning your next garden border or edging project

Am I looking for a permanent or temporary border for my garden?

You can plant a garden border that you can enjoy year after year. This type of border is a perennial garden border. It’s also possible to create a seasonal project that you replant and change from year to year. This style of garden border known as an annual garden border. No matter what you choose to plan for your yard, the process always begins with:

1) deciding whether your border will be a plant and forget-it type of border

2) something that needs a bit more time and attention paid to it throughout the season

Do I want my garden border to match the theme and aesthetic of my yard or garden?

To match the vibe of your yard when you add a garden border, you will want to consider:

1. shape
2. texture
3. plant selection

Remember to let your creativity be your guide and inspiration. Think about how you can express yourself through your garden by playing with colour.

Top 5 plants to add to your next garden border project

Need inspiration for your next garden border project? If so, we’ve put together a list of our top 5 favourite garden edging plants. All the plants featured here are easy-to-care for and low maintenance. These classic plants are sure to add beauty and elegance to your garden landscape.

Ferns

Looking to create a tropical themed garden border? Do you have a water feature or woodland area of your yard that you are looking to landscape? If so, why not try adding in some ferns! Ferns not only add texture to the garden area they also add movement. They are often available this time of year at many local nurseries and garden centres. There are so many varieties to choose from in different colour and leave pattern combinations. There is something for every project and personal taste when it comes to ferns.

Creeping Phlox

Creeping phlox is a low-growing ground cover. It loves to hug up against walkways, decks, and patios. Its creeping nature makes it the perfect compliment to any garden border project. Creeping phlox also makes a great compliment to rock wall features. Why not have it cascading down a sloping or terraced part of your yard. It is so easy to care for once planted, and since it’s a perennial, its beauty will reward you for years to come.

Boxwood

Are you looking to add in a shrub to your garden border that will give you lush evergreen throughout the year? Look no further than boxwood. Boxwood comes in over 150 different varieties. It is one of the most low maintenance shrubs available for use in garden borders and edging projects. Boxwood has a dense growing pattern. You can shape it to suit your own personal style and aesthetic of your garden. For those living in areas with a lot of deer, you are in luck because boxwood is one of the deer resistant shrubs. Boxwood is often used as a hedge or as the backdrop for other plants. It can also help to define garden beds or line walkways and driveways. No matter what design you are going for with your garden border project, you cannot go wrong with adding in some boxwood.

Hydrangea

Due to its versatile nature, hydrangeas are often used in garden borders. Planted as a hedge, boxwood can provide some privacy in the garden. It is also beautiful as borders lining both walkways or driveways. There are so many different types of hydrangea available. Plant them in your garden to serve as the perfect backdrop to your low growing perennial and annual flowers. Adding in a hydrangea to your garden border this season will help you to achieve that delicate balance of beauty and elegance.

Creeping Thyme

Often used in patio landscapes and around paving stones. Creeping thyme is an easy and low maintenance accent for any garden border. Available in a variety of colours. There is sure to be one that will compliment the design of your next garden border project. Like boxwood, creeping thyme is also deer resistant. It requires minimal care and attention. Creeping thyme fills in a garden space and grows well with other plants. Its delicate flowers and aromatic scents are breathtaking and worth investing in as an edging plant.

Final thoughts

Have you been hoping to create a garden border for a while now? Are you wondering how to get started? Let today’s guide be the launching point for you into an exciting world of garden edging plants. Whether you are looking to line a walkway, create a backyard oasis around your patio, or are looking to spruce up the entrance to your home, garden borders are an easy way to take your home and garden to the next level. So, until next time gardening friends, if you don’t have any edging plants in your yard yet, give creating your very own garden border a try this summer. You might surprise yourself with where your own creativity and imagination can take you!