Frame Your Garden With Edging

You've planted the flowers, put in the shrubs and even added a bird bath and a few garden decorations, but what's missing? Could it be the edging?

Almost as important as the flowers, the edging is like the frame to your garden. The picture can be interesting and beautiful, but it needs a frame to really enhance its appearance. Just like a picture, your garden needs it's frame to really bring out the beauty of your living "work of art".

There are many different types of edgings and you must plan which one will look best in your garden. One popular type of edging is to use a low brick or rock wall, cemented together with mortar. This will create a beautiful and permanent edge to your garden. Of course, not everyone has the means, money or desire to do this.

Another lovely way of edging is to simply place bricks around the borders of your garden. You can put them in a line, stacked in a double row, set on their edges or tip them diagonally and lean them against each other.

In a similar fashion, you can use large rocks to edge your garden. Use rocks that are big enough to make an impact, but ones that you can easily carry and move yourself. You can gather the rocks from fields, the woods or friends yards for free!

In your garden supply store, you will find many manufactured edgings to suite any style of garden. Miniature fences, fake rocks, plastic, metal ? you name it, they have it. I prefer a more natural type edging, but if you must buy one of these, choose a good quality product and not something that looks cheap and will only last for 1 season.

You can always create a living edging by using a border plant. Some great border plants include alpine phlox which is suitable for most climates and can be divided and planted again and again, gazanias, pansies, petunias and violas.

If you pick perennial plants, like the alpine phlox or gazania, then you can divide them and propagate them throughout the border. This will help reduce costs as you won't have to keep buying new plants, but will take longer to establish a full border.

For large gardens, comfrey can make a good border. It has thick growth and will prevent grasses from encroaching on the garden. Also, you can use the leaves for mulch around y our other plants. When blooming, the tiny flowers will add interest to your border. Keep in mind, however, that comfrey is not suitable for small gardens as it can easily overwhelm the other plants.

One of my favourite ways to edge a garden is to use an herb border. Even strawberries can be used as a border and their bright flowers and lush fruits will add quite a bit of interest to any garden. When preparing meals, simply step out in to the garden and cut some fresh herbs each evening!

Perhaps the simplest form of edging is to take a shovel and bevel and edge all around the garden. The can be a nice subtle way to break up the line between garden and grass. You can rent a gas powered edging tool if shovelling by hand seems like too much work. This type of edging will need to be redone each year.

No matter what option you choose, your gardens will take on another dimension with it's framed edging.

Lee Dobbins writes for Backyard Garden and Patio where you can learn more about gardens and read more articles on gardening.

---

Perfume Your Garden and Home with Gardenias

One of my favorite plants is the large white-flowered Mystery... Read More

Backyard Bird--The Catbird

It's quiet now.Gone is the constant chatter, whistles and meowing... Read More

How To Grow Luscious Tomatoes

The tomato is the most commonly grown vegetable in the... Read More

10 Tips to Care for Your Antique Ceramics

To care for your antique ceramics you need a gentle... Read More

Taming Your Outdoors

Slapping yourself silly trying to keep mosquitoes from biting you?... Read More

Oregano: Joy of the Mountain

Known as "joy of the mountain," Origanum vulgare is commonly... Read More

Mustard: The Greatest Among The Herbs

Mustard plants have been used for thousands of years for... Read More

Landscape Wallpaper

Landscape wallpaper can be a great addition to your computer's... Read More

Imagine Your Own Orchid Garden In A Pond

Who doesn't love to hear the water rushing and flowing... Read More

Brighten Your Path By Installing Decorative Landscape Lighting

Landscape lighting can add a beautiful quality to any home.... Read More

How to Grow Snow Peas

Snow peas may have been named because in bright sunlight... Read More

The Tools of Rose Gardening

Like any job you tackle, it's always easier if you... Read More

Canopy Swings - Escape the Weather with One

Do you love to sit outdoors and swing for hours... Read More

Add Rich Color To Your Garden With Blue Perennial Flowers

Blue flowers are some of the most striking plants around... Read More

Gardening is Good Therapy

Many of us garden just for the sheer joy of... Read More

Bonsai Trees - Our Own Little Forest

Bonsai trees have been grown in China and Japan for... Read More

How To Attract Hummingbirds

Yes! You can attract hummingbirds to your home. Even if... Read More

Porch Swing Places: Where to Put a Porch Swing

So you've purchased a Porch Swing (or are about to)... Read More

Wind Chimes Soothe The Soul

They can be pretty to look at and soothing to... Read More

Colorado Blue Spruce And Lush Red Roses

Set in a broad expanse of lush green lawn a... Read More

For the Birds: Selecting and Placing a Bird House

Bird watching brings enjoyment to many people. Selecting and correct... Read More

All about Tulip Gardens

As the curtain of winter lifts, tulips are one of... Read More

Furniture Benches Are Perfect For Every Outdoor Space

The task of selecting outdoor furniture for your natural spaces... Read More

Manage Algae

There are several different ways to manage algae in your... Read More

The Meanings Behind the Colors of Roses

Roses are a sign of love and friendship and by... Read More

Summer Lawn Care Tips

Summer is just around the corner, and your lawn could... Read More

Lifes a Beach--A Shore Theme in your Outdoor Space

Twentieth century American architect Phillip Johnson once said, "I hate... Read More

Hot Feeding Tips

Summer is the most enjoyable water gardening season and the... Read More

Skip The Pesticide And Use Natural Alternatives

For best health, it is important to keep your environment... Read More

Gift Ideas for Bird Lovers

Some of the best gifts you can give to a... Read More

You Take The Vacation - Not Your Garden

If you are planning to go on vacation, there are... Read More

A Bit About Bare Root Roses...

Scents from the rose garden filling the air as you... Read More

Easy Care Of Phalaenopsis

Do you have a knack for being with moths? Most... Read More