A Good Landscape Edging Idea Requires Some Thought

Summary:  Landscape edging is a great way to make your lawn and garden look more professional.  If you're looking for some inspiration as to how to use edging for your yard, read on to discover a great landscape edging idea or two.

A nicely landscaped yard typically includes trees, shrubbery and a healthy lawn. Other amenities, such as statuary, swimming pool or gazebo, also show up in landscaping to a lesser extent. As much as a variety of colors, textures and shapes influence the appearance, thoughtful landscape edging ideas adds a touch that makes the entire effort top flight.

A diversity of landscape materials and items are available; a question that arises is which one would be most appropriate for a particular use. For instance, if the goal were to allow for easier yard maintenance, a shallow trench filled with decorative stone would provide a surface over which a lawn mower could pass while cutting the adjacent grass; this will usually alleviate the need to use a motorized string trimmer. It would also keep the mower away from picket fences, which often bear the scars of a close encounter with a lawn mower,

Black, flexible edging is also available. It is not expensive but neither is it particularly attractive. It is often effectively used as a demarcation barrier to separate grass from the mulch surrounding shrubbery. It can be laid out in a serpentine line to mimic the profile of the shrubbery and, if the tubular topside is all that is visible, is not obtrusive.

Decorative bricks are a good landscape edging idea. Standard sized bricks can be laid on edge in a shallow trench lying against each other to form a short wall of colored peaks. This approach works well around a tree as it provides protection from inadvertent lawnmower scrapes. Landscape timbers, which are generally 6" diameter round logs with two flat sides, may also be used for this purpose. The timbers would have to be cut to length and the ends beveled to fit together. They can be secured with 3/8" steel reinforcing bar driven through holes drilled in the top side, or a 10" decorative spike may also be used. The area between the barrier and the tree is quite attractive if planted with flowers, although some care needs to be taken choosing the flowers to avoid growth conflict with the tree.

Natural stones and rocks work well as landscape edging. They are available at some nurseries and home improvement stores but also may be dug up out of the ground. A construction site is a fertile area to find rocks for this purpose; in addition to adding a natural appearance to a yard, stones or rocks amassed this way are a good end use for a recycled item. However, they would require some trimming when the lawn is mowed.

Flowerbeds or a line of shrubs also works well to mark a property line. Selectively choosing plants that require minimum maintenance, other than an annual pruning, would ease the burden of maintenance. A good array of drought tolerant, usually native, plants is available that would minimize the need for watering; many are perennials and so would grow each year.    

Perhaps the best approach is to take enough time to pick the landscape edging item or material that simply works best for the intended purpose. A low brick wall, while a major undertaking, might provide the nicest touch for the overall theme. A steep terrace would require a different approach than a lawn that is closer in height to street level. Very often, the adage that "less is more" applies to good landscape edging ideas. It is similar to picking the right color tie for a man's suit or the most appropriate purse for a woman’s ensemble at a gala affair. It should complement the overall appearance rather than intrude.