Creating a defined space in your garden is easy with the right border plants. Short and tall, sprawling or compact – these picked-perfect pieces will make it look like you’ve got everything under control even if gardening is all new to you!
Bordering with plants brings life and color to garden beds, pathways, or any landscaped area.
These 10 border plants are the perfect way to make your space feel like home. They’re low maintenance, beautiful and provide all sorts of extra bonuses!
1. Wedgewood Blue
I would have never thought that lilacs could be an edging plant, but they are. The Syringa genus is filled with various types of climbing plants and this one happens to grow up to 10 feet tall!
The Wedgewood blue is a smaller variety that offers soft lavender hues to any garden. It only grows up to 4 or 6 feet, so it’s perfect for narrow pathways lacking an attention-grabbing statement piece.
This little-known lilac variety has delicate pink buds that become stunning pastel purple blooms. They’ll stand out in any space, or go with similar soft blue and purplish tones to create a tranquil feeling for your garden!
Lilacs are a beautiful type of flower that can withstand both shade and full sun. They grow best in USDA zones 3-7, with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, for optimal bloom production during springtime months, when these lilac trees come into blossom!
Wedgewood blues need a rich loamy soil that drains well to grow best. They can survive in part clay soils, but again you run the risk of stunting their growth and limiting blooms or root development if not managed properly with care. Avoid oversoaking your bedding area – lilacs are prone for rot rot too!
After planting, this shrub requires a few deep waterings to get going. Once it’s established though, you’ll only need to sprinkle your Wedgewood blues more often in times of drought or excessive heat as they prefer soil on the dry side.
Lilacs love hot and humid summers, but they can handle freezing winter temperatures. They need protection from biting winds in order to flower again the following season!
2. Lavender
Lavender is a garden staple, and it can be used in all sorts of ways. One way to use this classic plant would be by planting lavender near your pathways for an interesting touch that will never go out-of-style!
The smell of lavender is an excellent way to lure in beneficial insects like bees and wasps. The color also provides a visually pleasing background for gardening, attracting outdoor enthusiasts even more so that they can enjoy your beautiful garden!
Lavender is one of the best plants for weak soils. Not only does it have an incredible ability to thrive in poor soil, but there are many other uses as well! Make your own lavender essential oil by harvesting this stunning edging plant or use them both out-of-doors and inside–they’re not fussy about what environment they live in so long as you take good care of them.
The blooms of this hardy perennial are an impressive, bright shade of purple. It needs dry soil to thrive and will happily grow in well-draining conditions without necessarily needing alkaline or neutral ground – as long as it has full sunlight every day!
Lavender is a fantastic plant for anyone who wants to keep their garden looking fresh and new. It only needs about an inch of water per week, but once established it will be drought tolerant!
Speaking of draught tolerant plants, you’ll need to pair them with drought-tolerant companion plants as well! Yarrow makes a great choice and so do some other herbs from the Mediterranean region, such as: roses, African Daisy, zinnia, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, etc.
Lavender is a plant that can tolerate the cold and heat, but does not like wet soil or high humidity. To keep your lavender healthy ensure there’s enough airflow to avoid killing it with dampness caused by either situation! It thrives in USDA zones 5-9.
3. Alyssum
Alyssum are great for adding some classic charm to your flower beds. They grow relatively quickly with its soft, dainty flowers brightening any border, they appear in groups of pink white and purple hues!
These little flowers add a burst of color without competing with other plants. Their lower height makes them great for edging and they come in different sizes so you can find one to match any spot!
The only drawback is that aphids love them as much as we do. Be on the lookout for these little pests and make sure you have your trusty water-spray bottle handy, but don’t worry! If all else fails there’s always ladybugs to help get rid of any pesky bugs in no time at all.
Alyssums are simple plants that need little maintenance. This ground covering little plant loves full sun but will appreciate some shade in hotter, drier climates.
It thrives in warmer areas, growing best when USDA zones 5-9. They will not flower during the height of summer, but one fall comes they will brighten up your borders again!
The soil should be slightly moist and well-draining, but not sopping wet or clay-like at all!
A thorough watering of your yard at least once a week will keep the basil thriving, increased during hot and dry spells.
4. Lady’s Mantle
Lady’s mantles are a must-have for any garden. Their delicate green and yellow blooms can be found as soon as the plants start growing, but they’re best when their height is kept low to make them easier on your flowers’ roots!
This herbaceous vine loves the full sun, but it appreciates some afternoon shade in hot climates. Sun scorch is a point of concern when growing lady’s mantle plants like this one; however with enough water and humidity even bright noon-time rays won’t damage them too badly!
Like most bedding plants, lady’s mantle doesn’t enjoy wet feet. Once established it likely won’t need water more than once a week if heat concerns you—mulch around the base of your plant to trap enough moisture without drowning its roots. This allows for better evaporation rates in hot weather!
Lady’s mantle is a versatile plant that can adapt to a variety of climates and temperatures. It thrives in USDA zones 3-8, but be sure you have plenty of airflow between your plants if they’re growing near one another or close enough, as fungal problems could arise from humid conditions.
5. Japanese Forest Grass
Japanese forest grass is a good choice for garden edging. The sharp blades of this ornamental plant stand out without being overbearing, and it has the added benefit of changing color as sunlight passes through its leaves – which make them perfect if you want something with personality in your borders!
Monocot plants, such as Japanese forest grass have gold leaves with deep green stripes running from tip to base. In mid-to late summer this little plant will sprout small flowers that show off in fall for a spectacular display!
Japanese forest grass has an elegant appearance that is often best appreciated in the shade. It prefers part-shade over full sun, so it’ll do wonderfully beneath taller plants with a shadow to cast its own on this ornamental blade of grass. Too much exposure will cause browning, and too much shade will make it lose its golden hues as the green colors will take over.
Give your garden the lush look of a Japanese forest with this ornamental grass. Ensure rich, well-draining soil and water regularly without drowning roots. In hot climates add mulch around the base while keeping plants growing between USDA zones 5 through 9, even though they are not too fussy about where they are grown, as long as there is good drainage.
6. Hosta
Hostas are the perfect plant for any occasion. They come in an endless variety of colors and shapes, making them easy to match with other plants or flowers nicely placed around your garden space.
The leafy herbaceous perennial thrives no matter what kind of soil conditions it’s grown in – no matter which variety is your choice, you’ll for sure create a stunning border with these plants.
The Hosta plant has interesting leaves that can be seen from a distance without being too overwhelming. In the warmer months, these plants sprout flowers which attract pollinators and make for an enchanting scene!
Hosta’s are easy to care for, thriving in USDA zones 3-8. They don’t mind the hot or cold and will grow happily no matter what your climate is like!
I’ve seen them growing under trees on shady urban lots with full sun; but they also do well if you live somewhere cooler (zone 6), where they’ll receive less sun.
Hostas don’t care about the soil as long as it’s well-draining. If you want your hosta to thrive, give it rich and loamy garden soil with plenty of room for nutrients! Watering should be done at least once per week in dry climates, or more often during hot weather when plants need their roots extra moisture.
7. Black Mondo Grass
Black Mondo Grass is an outstanding edging plant that can be used for any landscape. Its dark colors pair well with bright flowers (as long as they grow in the same conditions).
12 inches tall and wide, making it a perfect edging plant. You can make the statement with black mondo grass without overshadowing your greenery – plus it’s one of those few plants that actually look like they’re from another planet!
Black mondo grass is a tough, durable plant that’s also resistant to rabbits and deer. In summer it has little white or pink flowers which produce bell-shaped fruit with blackberry seeds inside (not edible ones).
Black mondo grass is a beautiful plant that thrives in USDA Zones 6-9, enjoying the warmth and variety of humidity levels. It isn’t really friendly to high sunlight though; it prefers part shade over full sun! To keep your black mongo happy you’ll need enough water so that its soil remains moist at all times.
8. Creeping Thyme
Creeping Thyme has a sweet smell that is just as delicious, but not quite like its related herb. The small flowers of the creeping variety soften and brighten garden beds with their presence while also acting as an edible ground cover!
The perfect summer flower, this herbaceous perennial grows to approximately 6 inches and can be as wide 18 inches. It’s flowers bloom in such a way that they do not take away from your main attractions but add an extra element of beauty when deciding who has the best garden!
The creeping thyme that you find in your garden needs the same conditions to flourish as its native environment, Mediterranean-climate zones (USDA zone 6-9). A warm day with full sun is best for this plant.
Thyme is a hardy plant that loves the sun but hates humidity. It’s best to keep it dry by pruning away old dead growth and keeping your Thyme fresh with regular trimming sessions!
Watering is important for your creeping thyme while it’s still establishing itself in the garden. Once its roots have settled, you can keep them moist but not soaking so that they will truly blossom and flourish with life!
9. Tricolor Sage
Sage is a herb that can be used in both the garden and kitchen. It has interesting leaves colored green with white or purple edging, depending on what variety you have!
Tricolor sage is a beautiful plant with flowers that change color as the seasons pass. It’ll fit well into most flower beds, complementing many different colors and textures!
This little plant is perfect for your garden. It loves the sun, but will grow in lower light too if given enough time and attention to do so! Like creeping thyme does it needs a Mediterranean-like climate where summers are hot with plenty of rainfall throughout winter months. Once you establish, this plant is drought-tolerant.
You don’t need to use pesticides or harmful chemicals on your property when you can get rid of ants naturally with the help of tricolor sage. This beautiful plant produces smelly oils that repel unwanted guests like ants! As a bonus – if they’re not too lazy, even raccoons will move away from this aromatic herb.
10. Mophead Hydrangeas
The Mophead Hydrangea is a classic garden shrub, but it’s one of the best plants to use for borders. The tall hydrangeas have many names – French Hydrangea (or big leaf), Pompom or mopheads and they’re great when used as an accent in your landscape design with their colorful blooms year after year!
The colors of Mophead hydrangeas change depending on the pH in their soil. Blue flowers will grow from acidic ground, but if you plant them to alkaline conditions, they’ll produce pink blooms instead!
For those who live in USDA zones 5-9, hydrangeas are a reliable flower to have. In cooler climates they need full sun but will appreciate some light shade when it gets warmer out and is hot during summertime hours.
Hydrangeas are one of the most resilient plants around, but they do need plenty water to get started. Once established though, hydrangeas can survive occasional droughts. In hot climates it may be necessary to give your hydrangea more frequent watering.