Garden edging options

Garden edging is one of the most versatile elements available to the landscape designer. Besides maintaining the forms of your beds, paved areas and lawns, edging can be used to hold pavement in place and to clearly define and separate the lawn from planting beds. There are many ways you can do your garden edges. Your choice should be guided by the effect you wish to create as well as the practicality of the choice.

Natural edges

These are by far the most common edges in many homes. It’s a simple edge created by cutting a vertical trench between the planting bed and the lawn without a manufactured separator. Natural edges require periodic maintenance to keep the edge clean and to prevent lawn grass from encroaching the planting bed.

Bricks

Bricks can be laid to produce varied effects. When laid vertically or diagonally, they produce a classic, Victorian-style edging that is suitable for formal or cottage style gardens. Flat laid bricks placed either edge-to-edge or end-to-end and flush with the lawn on the other hand produce a smoother, more contemporary look.

Precast edging

Manufactured concrete edgings are now available in many varieties. They are cast in a wide variety of colours and forms. The modules are typically small enough to turn tight corners and are easy to work with. When properly installed, precast edging units produce a wide variety of looks, depending on the particular variety chosen. They are also low-maintenance although the initial installation cost may be relatively high.

Stone

Natural stones can be used for edging planting beds or gravel surfaces. When installed properly, stones produce some of the most attractive edges. They can either be used uncut for a natural look or cut into blocks that can be used the same way as precast edges. The latter, however, requires skilled labour but produces one of the most attractive and maintenance-free edges.

Timber

Timber logs or wood can make for inexpensive and low-maintenance edging materials. Being natural and highly versatile, timber produces a unique edging suitable for a wide variety of settings. They are, however, difficult to install in situations that have undulating slopes and curved edges. Remember that only treated or decay-resistant timber should be used in contact with the soil.

Plastic

In countries where the landscape industry is more developed, plastic edging is one of the most commonly used in the residential garden. It is a black flexible plastic material manufactured in rolls or long strips.

The plastic strip is held inside a trench similar to that of a natural edge with metal stakes so that only the rounded bead on top is visible after installation. It produces a clean and very attractive edge compatible with many garden styles.

Metal edging

These are either steel or aluminium strips that are used in much the same way as the plastic edges. They are, however, more commonly used in commercial or large installations where permanence is important and higher costs are more acceptable. While they are not as flexible as plastic, metal edgings can still be used to wrap around corners or curves to produce very neat and low maintenance edges.

—The writer is  a landscape architect