Using Edgings In Your Garden

You've planted the flowers, put in the shrubs andYou can always create a living edging by using a
even added a bird bath and a few gardenborder plant. Some great border plants includealpine
decorations, but what's missing? Could it be thephlox which is suitable for most climates and can be
edging?divided and planted again and again, gazanias, pansies,
Almost as important as the flowers, the edging is likepetunias and violas.
the frame to your garden. The picture can beIf you pick perennial plants, like the alpine phlox or
interesting and beautiful, but it needs a frame togazania, then you can divide them and propagate
really enhance its appearance. Just like a picture, yourthem throughout the border. This will help reduce
garden needs it's frame to really bring out the beautycosts as you won't have to keep buying new plants,
of your living "work of art".but will take longer to establish a full border.
There are many different types of edgings and youFor large gardens, comfrey can make a good border.
must plan which one will look best in your garden.It has thick growth and will prevent grasses from
One popular type of edging is to use a low brick orencroaching on the garden. Also, you can use the
rock wall, cemented together with mortar. This willleaves for mulch around y our other plants. When
create a beautiful and permanent edge to yourblooming, the tiny flowers will add interest to your
garden. Of course, not everyone has the means,border. Keep in mind, however, that comfrey is not
money or desire to do this.suitable for small gardens as it can easily overwhelm
Another lovely way of edging is to simply placethe other plants.
bricks around the borders of your garden. You canOne of my favourite ways to edge a garden is to
put them in a line, stacked in a double row, set onuse an herb border. Even strawberries can be used
their edges or tip them diagonally and lean themas a border and their bright flowers and lush fruits will
against each other.add quite a bit of interest to any garden. When
In a similar fashion, you can use large rocks to edgepreparing meals, simply step out in to the garden and
your garden. Use rocks that are big enough to makecut some fresh herbs each evening!
an impact, but ones that you can easily carry andPerhaps the simplest form of edging is to take a
move yourself. You can gather the rocks from fields,shovel and bevel and edge all around the garden. The
the woods or friends yards for free!can be a nice subtle way to break up the line
In your garden supply store, you will find manybetween garden and grass. You can rent a gas
manufactured edgings to suite any style of garden.powered edging tool if shovelling by hand seems like
Miniature fences, fake rocks, plastic, metal - youtoo much work. This type of edging will need to be
name it, they have it. I prefer a more natural typeredone each year.
edging, but if you must buy one of these, choose aNo matter what option you choose, your gardens will
good quality product and not something that lookstake on another dimension with it's framed edging.
cheap and will only last for 1 season.