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Plants can transform the look of our gardens and outdoor spaces. Edging and border plants help define areas, guide the eye, and add beauty to walkways and flower beds. We’ll explore some top choices for creating stunning borders and edges in your landscape.
The right edging plants frame garden spaces and make them look polished and complete. These plants come in many shapes, sizes, and colors to suit different garden styles. There are options for sunny spots and shady areas, from low-growing flowers to compact shrubs. We’ve compiled a list of 24 excellent plants for borders and edging in your yard or garden.
1. Lavender
Lavender is a popular choice for garden borders and edging. We love its fragrant purple flowers and silvery-green foliage. This plant grows well in sunny spots with well-draining soil.
Lavender can reach up to 24 inches wide in a few years. We recommend checking the nursery tags for exact sizes before planting. It’s best to space them properly to allow for growth.
This versatile plant works great along pathways or around patios. It adds a lovely scent and color to any garden space. Lavender also attracts bees and butterflies, bringing more life to your yard.
For best results, we suggest planting lavender in spring or early fall. It needs little water once established, making it a low-maintenance option for busy gardeners.
2. Hosta
Hostas are excellent plants for borders and edging in shady areas. We love their lush foliage that comes in various shades of green, blue, and variegated patterns.
These perennials are low-maintenance and thrive in partial to full shade. Hostas form neat clumps that grow wider over time, making them perfect for filling in gaps along walkways or garden edges.
We find that smaller hosta varieties work best for edging. They typically reach 6 to 12 inches, creating a tidy border without overwhelming nearby plants.
Hostas also add texture to garden borders with their large, heart-shaped leaves. Some varieties even produce delicate flowers in summer, adding a pop of color to shady spots.
3. Boxwood
Boxwood is a classic choice for garden borders and edging. We love its versatility and neat appearance. These evergreen shrubs stay green all year round, adding structure to your garden even in winter.
Boxwood can be easily shaped into various forms. We often see it trimmed into tidy hedges or rounded shapes. This makes it perfect for creating clean lines along walkways or flower beds.
These plants are low-maintenance once established. They grow slowly, which means less pruning for you. Boxwood prefers partial shade but can handle full sun in cooler climates.
We recommend choosing dwarf varieties for edging. They stay naturally compact without much trimming. ‘Green Velvet’ and ‘Winter Gem’ are great options to consider.
Boxwood pairs well with colorful flowers or ornamental grasses. Its dark green leaves provide a nice backdrop for brighter plants in your garden design.
4. Daylilies
Daylilies are fantastic border plants that add a burst of color to any garden. These hardy perennials come in a wide range of hues, from vibrant yellows to deep purples.
We love daylilies for their ease of care and long blooming season. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and adapt well to various soil types.
When planting daylilies, we recommend spacing them about 18 inches apart. This gives them room to spread and fill in nicely over time.
For best results, plant the crown about an inch below the soil surface. Water generously after planting and whenever the soil feels dry.
Daylilies pair beautifully with other sun-loving plants like catmint or dianthus. Their strappy foliage provides a nice contrast to more rounded plant shapes.
With proper care, daylilies will return year after year, creating a stunning border that requires minimal maintenance.
5. Coral Bells
Coral bells, also known as Heuchera, are stunning plants for garden edges and borders. We love their colorful foliage that comes in shades of purple, green, silver, and burgundy.
These versatile perennials grow well in both sun and shade. They typically reach 6 to 18 inches tall, making them perfect for edging flower beds or lining pathways.
Coral bells produce delicate flower spikes in spring and summer. The tiny bell-shaped blooms attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden.
We find coral bells easy to care for. They prefer well-draining soil with some organic matter mixed in. Regular watering keeps the leaves looking their best, especially in hot weather.
For a striking border, we suggest mixing different colored varieties of coral bells. Their year-round foliage interest makes them a great choice for any garden edge.
6. Japanese Forest Grass
Japanese Forest Grass is a stunning choice for garden borders and edging. This ornamental grass has graceful, arching leaves that add elegant texture to any landscape.
It comes in several varieties, including the vibrant “All Gold” with bright golden foliage. This eye-catching plant grows to about 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide.
Japanese Forest Grass prefers partial to full shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens or shaded areas. It pairs beautifully with other shade-loving plants like bleeding hearts.
We love using this grass along pathways or in rock gardens. Its cascading form creates a soft, flowing effect that can soften hard edges in the landscape.
This low-maintenance plant is slow-growing but can live for around 15 years under good conditions. It adds a unique touch to garden borders with its distinctive coloring and graceful shape.
7. Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses add texture and movement to garden borders. They come in many shapes and sizes, from short tufts to tall plumes. Blue fescue forms neat mounds of blue-green foliage. It’s perfect for edging paths or borders. The pale green flowers turn tan later in the season.
Maiden grass is a taller option with graceful arching leaves. It produces silvery plumes in late summer that catch the light beautifully. Purple fountain grass is popular for its burgundy foliage and fluffy flower heads. It works well in containers or as a border accent.
Fiber optic grass has fine, hair-like leaves that droop at the ends. This creates a unique, fountain-like effect in small spaces or containers. These grasses are low-maintenance and provide interest throughout the seasons. We love using them to soften hard edges and contrast with flowering plants.
8. Sedum
Sedum plants are excellent choices for garden borders and edging. These succulents come in many varieties, offering a range of colors and shapes.
Sedums are easy to grow and maintain. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Many types are drought-tolerant, making them perfect for low-water gardens.
We love how sedums add texture to borders. Their fleshy leaves create interesting patterns. Some popular varieties include Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ and Sedum spurium.
These plants also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. This makes them great for eco-friendly gardens. In late summer and fall, many sedums produce pretty flowers in shades of pink, red, or yellow.
Sedums work well in rock gardens too. Their low-growing habit helps them fit nicely along pathways and garden edges. They spread slowly, forming neat clumps over time.
9. Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme is an excellent choice for garden borders and edging. We love its low-growing habit and ability to spread, creating a lovely carpet of green foliage.
This hardy plant comes in several varieties, including Thymus serpyllum and Thymus praecox. It produces small, fragrant leaves and delicate flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Creeping thyme thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and can handle light foot traffic. This makes it perfect for softening the edges of pathways or filling gaps between stepping stones.
We find that creeping thyme pairs beautifully with rocks in landscape designs. Its aromatic foliage releases a pleasant scent when brushed against it, adding sensory appeal to garden borders.
10. Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s Ear is a fantastic choice for garden borders and edging. Its soft, fuzzy leaves feel like a lamb’s ear, giving this plant its unique name. We love Lamb’s Ear for its silvery-gray foliage that adds visual interest to any garden. It grows low to the ground, typically reaching 6 to 8 inches in height.
This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade. It’s very easy to grow and maintain, making it perfect for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. Lamb’s Ear is drought-tolerant once established. It doesn’t need much water, which is great for low-maintenance gardens.
In summer, it produces tall spikes of purple flowers. These attract bees and other pollinators to your garden. We recommend planting Lamb’s Ear along pathways or at the front of flower beds. Its soft texture creates a beautiful contrast with other plants.
11. Periwinkle
Periwinkle is a great choice for garden borders and edging. This low-growing plant spreads quickly, forming a dense mat of glossy green leaves. We love periwinkle for its pretty blue or purple flowers that bloom in spring and summer. It’s easy to care for and stays green year-round in many climates.
Periwinkle thrives in shade or partial sun. It’s perfect for areas under trees or along shaded walkways. This plant is also deer-resistant and drought-tolerant once established.
We recommend planting periwinkle about 12 inches apart. It will fill in gaps quickly, creating a neat, uniform border. Regular trimming keeps it tidy and prevents it from spreading too far.
12. Golden Creeping Jenny
Golden Creeping Jenny is a versatile plant for borders and edging. It grows low to the ground, reaching only about 4 inches tall. This perennial spreads quickly, covering up to 24 inches wide.
The plant’s round leaves are its standout feature. They range from lime green to bright gold, depending on sun exposure. In shady spots, the foliage tends to be more lime-colored.
Golden Creeping Jenny thrives in moist soil and can even grow in shallow water. It’s perfect for pond edges or damp areas in the garden. The plant also works well in hanging baskets and containers.
We love how fast this plant grows. It can fill in bare spots in the garden quickly. But be careful – it may spread more than you want if not kept in check.
In summer, small yellow flowers appear among the leaves. These add a nice touch of color to the already bright foliage.
13. Ajuga
Ajuga, also known as bugleweed, is a great choice for garden borders and edging. This low-growing perennial forms a dense mat of foliage that spreads quickly. We love ajuga for its colorful leaves, which come in shades of green, bronze, and purple. Some varieties even have variegated foliage for added interest.
In late spring to early summer, ajuga produces spikes of small blue, pink, or white flowers. These blooms attract pollinators to the garden.
Ajuga thrives in both sun and shade, making it versatile for different garden areas. It’s also deer-resistant and can handle light foot traffic.
We recommend the ‘Black Scallop’ variety for its deep burgundy leaves. This plant grows 3-10 inches tall and spreads 10-14 inches wide. Ajuga is easy to care for and can help prevent soil erosion on slopes. It’s a tough plant that adapts well to various soil types.
14. Armeria
Armeria, also known as sea thrift, is a charming little plant that’s perfect for edging walks and borders. We love how easy it is to grow and maintain. This compact perennial forms low-growing clumps that spread slowly over time. It produces delightful pom-pom-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, or white.
Armeria thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s quite drought-tolerant once established, making it a great low-maintenance option.
We find Armeria particularly well-suited for rock gardens, wall pockets, and containers. It also looks stunning when massed in small areas. With heights ranging from 6 to 12 inches, Armeria creates a tidy border edge. Its evergreen foliage adds year-round interest to the garden.
15. Dianthus
Dianthus flowers are perfect for adding vibrant color to border edges. These perennials come in shades of pink, red, and white, creating eye-catching displays.
We love how dianthus forms low-growing mounds of silvery blue-green foliage. This compact habit makes them ideal for lining walkways and flower bed borders.
Dianthus thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. They’re drought-tolerant once established, making them low-maintenance options for busy gardeners.
Many dianthus varieties offer a sweet, spicy fragrance. This scent can enhance outdoor spaces, especially when planted near seating areas.
For continuous blooms, we recommend deadheading spent flowers. With proper care, dianthus can provide multiple flushes of color throughout the growing season.
16. Ivy
Ivy is a classic choice for garden borders and edging. This versatile plant offers lush green foliage that can quickly cover large areas.
We love ivy for its ability to grow in both sun and shade. It’s perfect for adding texture and depth to any garden space.
Ivy comes in many varieties, from small-leaved types to larger, more dramatic options. Some have variegated leaves, adding extra visual interest.
This plant is low-maintenance and can thrive in various soil types. It’s great for filling in gaps between other plants or creating a neat edge along pathways.
Remember that ivy can be invasive if not kept in check. Regular trimming will help maintain its shape and prevent it from overtaking other plants.
17. Royal Fern
Royal fern is a majestic plant that can add elegance to garden borders. It grows up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide, making it a striking choice for edging larger spaces.
This fern thrives in moist, shady areas. We love its lacy, bright green fronds that unfurl in spring and turn golden in fall. Royal fern is deer-resistant and low-maintenance once established.
For best results, we plant royal fern in rich, acidic soil. It pairs well with other shade-loving plants like hostas and astilbes. Regular watering keeps the fronds looking fresh and vibrant all season long.
Royal fern is a hardy perennial in zones 3-9. Its impressive size and texture make it a focal point in border plantings. We find it especially effective near water features or in woodland garden settings.
18. Yarrow
Yarrow is a fantastic choice for garden borders and edging. This hardy perennial boasts clusters of tiny flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink, or red. It’s easy to grow and can thrive in various conditions.
Yarrow typically reaches heights of 2 to 4 feet, making it perfect for the middle or back of borders. Its fern-like foliage adds texture and interest even when the plant isn’t blooming.
We love yarrow for its drought tolerance and ability to attract pollinators. It’s also deer-resistant, which is a big plus for many gardeners. Yarrow blooms from early summer to fall, providing long-lasting color.
To keep yarrow looking its best, we recommend deadheading spent blooms. This encourages more flowers and prevents unwanted self-seeding. With proper care, yarrow can be a low-maintenance and eye-catching addition to any garden border.
19. Blue Star Creeper
Blue Star Creeper is a low-growing plant perfect for garden borders and edging. It forms a dense mat of tiny green leaves that reach only 2-4 inches tall.
In spring and summer, it produces small star-shaped blue flowers. These blooms cover the plant, creating a lovely carpet-like effect.
We love Blue Star Creeper for its versatility. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts to various soil types. This plant is also quite hardy, tolerating light foot traffic.
Blue Star Creeper spreads easily, making it great for filling gaps between stepping stones or as a lawn substitute. It’s low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established.
To plant Blue Star Creepers, we recommend spacing them 12-18 inches apart. Water regularly until they’re established. After that, they need little care beyond occasional trimming to keep them tidy.
20. Snow in Summer
Snow in Summer is a lovely choice for garden borders and edging. This low-growing perennial forms a dense carpet of silvery-gray foliage. In late spring and early summer, it produces a blanket of small white flowers.
We love how Snow in Summer creates a soft, cascading effect along walkways and flower beds. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. This plant is drought-tolerant once established, making it easy to care for.
There are a few varieties to consider. ‘Silver Carpet’ has a compact form and spreads slowly. ‘Yo-Yo’ produces lots of blooms but is less aggressive. For a very low-growing option, ‘Columnae’ forms 4-inch mounds.
Snow in Summer works well with other sun-loving plants. Its silver foliage provides a nice contrast to colorful flowers or darker greenery. We find it pairs nicely with purple blooms like catmint or lavender.
21. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum is a charming plant for garden borders and edging. It grows low to the ground and spreads out, creating a soft, carpet-like appearance.
This plant produces tiny flowers in white, pink, or purple. The blooms have a sweet fragrance that attracts butterflies and bees to the garden.
Sweet Alyssum is easy to care for and grows well in full sun or partial shade. It prefers well-draining soil and regular watering.
We love using Sweet Alyssum to define pathways or soften the edges of flower beds. Its compact size makes it perfect for small spaces too.
This plant blooms from spring until the first frost, providing long-lasting color. It’s a great choice for gardeners who want a low-maintenance border plant with a big impact.
22. Lady’s Mantle
Lady’s Mantle is a charming perennial that makes an excellent border plant. It grows 1-2 feet tall and wide, forming a neat mound of rounded, scalloped leaves. The foliage is a lovely soft green color. After rain, water droplets attractively collect on the leaves. In summer, Lady’s Mantle produces sprays of tiny yellow-green flowers.
We love using Lady’s Mantle as an edging plant in partial shade gardens. It works well to soften the edges of paths or flower beds. The low, spreading habit helps it fill in spaces nicely.
Lady’s Mantle is very hardy, thriving in USDA zones 3-8. It can handle cold winters. This plant prefers moist, well-drained soil but is adaptable to different conditions. To plant Lady’s Mantle, space them 18 inches apart. They will gradually spread to fill in. Regular division every few years helps keep plants vigorous.
23. Bleeding Heart
Bleeding Heart plants make lovely additions to garden borders. These delicate perennials have heart-shaped flowers that dangle from arching stems. We love the Amore Pink variety for edging. It grows in a compact clump about 14 inches tall and wide. The soft pink blooms appear from late spring to late summer.
Bleeding Hearts do best in partial shade and moist, rich soil. They’re perfect for brightening shady borders or underplanting shrubs.
For smaller spaces, consider Fern-Leaf Bleeding Hearts. These grow 9-14 inches tall and keep their foliage all summer if the soil stays moist. Bleeding Hearts adds a romantic touch to garden edges. Their unique flower shape and graceful habit create visual interest in borders.
24. Astilbe
Astilbe is a stunning choice for garden borders. This perennial plant has feathery, fern-like foliage that adds texture to any landscape. Astilbe blooms in summer, producing showy plumes of tiny flowers. These come in shades of pink, purple, and white, creating a beautiful display.
We love Astilbe for its versatility. It thrives in partial shade, making it perfect for brightening up darker corners of the garden. This plant is also quite hardy and low-maintenance. Once established, it requires little care beyond regular watering.
Astilbe works well in both formal and informal garden designs. Its upright flower spikes can reach up to 4 feet tall, adding vertical interest to borders. For a striking effect, we suggest planting astilbe in groups. This creates a lush, full look that’s sure to impress.
