Country Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
15 Best Garden Edging Ideas for the Most Beautiful Landscaping
Don't skip this crucial step!
There are few things in life as wonderful as spending a gorgeous, sunny afternoon relaxing and enjoying your beautiful garden. The catch? You have to create that beautiful garden first, which will be all the prettier when set off by one of our smart-looking garden edging ideas.
Depending on where you live, spring may already be settled in. Or, you may still be waiting for the last frost to move the seedlings you started in your home or greenhouse to the garden. But however far along spring is, there are some fundamental steps to creating a garden that have nothing to do with plants.
First, plan your garden's layout—a crucial component often forgotten by homeowners. Next, you'll want to make sure you're fully stocked on tools. Consider adding a potting bench if you're looking to spruce up your potted plants this year. Next, prep your soil to make sure your plants have proper nourishment. And, of course, we can't forget the final step: edging your beds.
Edging your garden beds is an essential step that many people skip, which leads to a garden that looks unfinished and bare. Your plants might be blooming beautifully, but if the bed they are in looks unkept, it can ruin the entire look. Edging your garden takes a little extra dirty work, but it's worth it in the end. There are a variety of edging materials you can choose that range in price, installation difficulty, and durability. Here are a few of our go-tos.
Pros
- Relatively easy to install
Cons
- Hard on your hands; wear heavy gloves
Many types are no-dig, meaning you hammer them into the ground. Painted finishes or galvanized metal last the longest, but unfinished metal has an attractive rustic appearance for country gardens.
Pros
- Lasts a lifetime
Cons
- Doesn’t look great in formal or cottage gardens
A few companies now make rubber edging that’s pounded into place. It’s nearly indestructible, as it’s usually made from recycled tires.
Plastic
Plastic isn’t glamorous, but it’s relatively easy to install. It's available in short individual sections you pound into the ground or long rolls of edging, which require you to dig a trench in which to sink the edge.
Paver Stones
Pavers made from concrete are nearly indestructible. But they're heavy to handle and time-consuming to install, so plan on a few days of heavy carrying and digging. You can make paths with pavers, or just use them for edging beds.
Woven Willow
Also called "wattle," this natural edge is perfect for English or country gardens. It's used extensively in Europe.
Natural Rock
Rocks are available in an array of sizes, colors, and shapes, and creeping flowers look amazing tumbling over them! Simply line the edges of each bed, but opt for rocks that are the size of a soft ball or larger for the most visual impact. Visit a nursery or garden center for options.
Flagstone
Flagstone comes in many different shades and thicknesses. Set the flat pieces along the garden edge, or stack them for a classic look in a cottage or country garden. Check with your local nursery or garden center for options.
Brick
Lay bricks in a shallow trench on their side with the wide side down, or stand them upright. The hardest part is getting everything level. Hint: Use a rubber mallet and line level on a string.
Poured Concrete
This is typically not a DIY job for newbies, as you must build a form, then mix and pour concrete into the mold. Consider hiring an expert, because mistakes are not easily fixed.
Shovel Edging
Here’s a great idea if you don’t like the look (or expense) of edging: Use an edging shovel, spade, or electric edger, to cut the grass away and create a sharp edge, which keeps grass from creeping into beds.
Landscape Timber
If you’re handy with a saw, landscape timbers are a cost-effective method of edging. They're often pressure-treated to prevent rotting. You’ll need to level the ground and cut sections as needed.
Cedar
Small cedar shingles or cedar shake “fences” are simple to hammer around the perimeter of beds. They last for several years, but not forever, as they’re easily damaged by string trimmers or lawn mowers.
Decorative Fence
Small sections of fence are super-easy for lining a garden perimeter. Many different types and sizes exist including metal, wood, and plastic, so you’ll find the one that suits your garden’s style.
Pros: Easy to place
Cons: Easily damaged, doesn't hold mulch in place
Bosmere Edging Weed Mat
Pros
- Easy to install
Cons
- Doesn’t last forever
If you’re seeking a more natural look, a coco fiber edge stops weeds and is easy to place along the perimeter of beds. You also can cover it with mulch. Use landscape staples to the keep the mat in place.
Pros
- Almost indestructible
Cons
- Doesn’t look right in all gardens
Bamboo is the natural choice for a Zen-style garden. It’s typically sold as short fencing that you pound into the ground.
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
Hannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When she’s not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.
Beautiful Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds
How to Get Rid of a Ladybug Infestation
Flowering Plants that Attract Bees
How to Keep Rabbits Out of Your Garden
