Landscape Edging Ideas
30+ Materials & Designs Compared
The right landscape edging transforms a good-looking yard into a professional one. From COR-TEN steel to Belgian block, brick soldier course to living liriope borders — find the ideal edging material for your style, budget, and maintenance tolerance.
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Metal Edging
Steel Landscape Edging
Heavy-gauge (3/16-inch) COR-TEN steel edging — the professional standard used in high-end landscape installations. Weathers to a rich, warm brown finish that complements any planting style. Holds a crisp line indefinitely and lasts 20+ years without maintenance or replacement.
Aluminum Edging
Lightweight, flexible aluminum — easier to install than steel and curves easily for organic bed shapes. Resists rust, stays silver-gray, and is the best DIY metal edging option for curved borders and complex bed shapes. Long-lasting and cost-effective for large projects.
COR-TEN Raised Edge Strip
Extra-tall (6-inch) COR-TEN steel creates a raised micro-wall effect between lawn and beds — provides a raised edge that keeps mulch and soil from spilling onto lawn. The taller profile is the most aggressive grass barrier available and creates a bold architectural look.
Brick & Paver Edging
Soldier Course Brick
Bricks stood vertically on end along the bed edge — a formal, classic look that works with any garden style from cottage to modern. Set in sand or mortar, soldier course brick provides a permanent, durable edge that improves with age and can be re-laid if frost heaves occur.
Flat Brick Mowing Strip
Bricks laid flat in mortar along the lawn edge — set at grade so you can mow right over them without lifting the mower deck. The most practical and low-maintenance brick option, eliminating string trimming along the bed edge for the life of the installation.
Diagonal Brick Pattern
Bricks laid at 45 degrees create a herringbone border effect — more decorative and visually dynamic than a simple soldier course. Each brick becomes a diamond shape when viewed from above, creating an elegant pattern that elevates the border to a design feature.
Concrete Paver Mowing Strip
12x12 concrete pavers set at grade along the lawn edge — a practical and affordable mowing strip that eliminates trimming. Available in multiple colors and textures to match any hardscape, and individual pavers can be replaced if cracking occurs.
Stone Edging
River Rock Border
4–6 inch river rocks lined along the bed edge — natural and potentially free if you can source locally from a stream or drainage area. The rounded stones create a soft, organic edge that suits cottage, woodland, and naturalistic garden styles without any cutting or installation tools.
Fieldstone Edge
Irregular flat fieldstones laid single-layer along the bed edge — the quintessential rustic cottage or farmhouse look. Each stone is unique, the installation is forgiving of imperfections, and the edge ages beautifully with moss and lichens developing on the stone surface over time.
Granite Cobblestone Mowing Strip
Belgian block or granite setts set in mortar as a premium mowing strip — the most durable and elegant stone edging option. Granite cobblestones are virtually indestructible, look stunning with age, and are used in high-end landscape designs for their permanence and classic beauty.
Wood & Composite Edging
Cedar Board Edging
2x6 cedar boards used as raised bed or border edging — naturally rot-resistant, beautiful warm color, and easy to cut and install. Cedar lasts 10–15 years untreated and longer with a natural oil finish. The most popular wood edging for raised beds and cottage-style gardens.
Landscape Timber Edging
4x4 or 6x6 pressure-treated timbers provide a chunky, defined bed edge with real visual weight. Stakes driven through drilled holes anchor the timbers firmly. Best for informal beds with straight lines — the bold size makes a strong design statement and holds mulch back effectively.
Composite Lumber Edging
Composite edging (wood fiber + recycled plastic) combines the look of natural wood with the durability of plastic — no rot, no splinters, no warping, and a 30+ year lifespan. Available in multiple colors. The long-term value calculation heavily favors composite over natural wood.
Living Edges
Boxwood Hedge Edge
Small boxwood (Buxus) planted as a formal border edge — can be maintained at 6–12 inches tall with twice-yearly trimming. The ultimate formal garden edging that creates a green architectural line between lawn and bed. Pairs beautifully with rose gardens and perennial borders in a classic English style.
Liriope (Monkey Grass) Strip
Mass-planted liriope as evergreen living edging — tough, shade-tolerant, and nearly indestructible once established. Produces lavender flower spikes in late summer and holds its form year-round. One of the most reliable and low-maintenance living edge options for any garden style.
Creeping Thyme
Fragrant, low-growing thyme spreads between stepping stones and along bed edges — covered in tiny pink-purple flowers in June. Releases fragrance when brushed or stepped on. Best for sunny, dry situations where it fills gaps in hardscape and creates a soft, cottage-garden edge.
DIY & Creative Edging
Log Round Edging
Short log rounds (4–6 inch diameter) set in a row as a bed border — free if you have tree trimmings or access to firewood rounds. The rustic, natural look suits woodland gardens, cottage gardens, and any informal planting style. Replace individual rounds as they decompose over 3–7 years.
Recycled Bottle Edge
Wine or beer bottles buried neck-down in a row — colorful glass catches the light, the bottles are completely free, and the finished edge is unlike anything in a conventional garden. Popular in cottage, eclectic, and permaculture gardens as a zero-waste creative design element.
9 Edging Materials Compared
Use this table to compare edging materials by cost, lifespan, DIY difficulty, and maintenance needs before making your selection.
| Material | Cost | Lifespan | DIY | Maintenance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel | $4–8/ft | 20+ yrs | Medium | None once set | Modern, formal, permanent |
| Aluminum | $2–5/ft | 15–20 yrs | Easy | None | Curved beds, DIY-friendly |
| Brick (soldier) | $6–15/ft | 50+ yrs | Medium | Occasional re-setting | Formal, cottage, traditional |
| Concrete Mowing Strip | $5–12/ft | 30+ yrs | Hard | None | Low-maintenance lawn |
| Cedar Wood | $3–8/ft | 10–15 yrs | Easy | Re-stain every 5 yrs | Raised beds, natural |
| Composite | $6–15/ft | 30+ yrs | Easy | None | Modern, premium, long-term |
| River Rock | $2–6/ft | Permanent | Easy | Annual weed removal | Cottage, natural |
| Liriope (living) | $4–10/ft | 20+ yrs | Easy | Annual cut-back | Natural, low care |
| Log Rounds | Free–$30/ft | 3–7 yrs | Easy | Replace when rotted | DIY, rustic, free |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best landscape edging to keep grass out of flower beds?
What is the easiest landscape edging to install?
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