“Your garden looks like it belongs in a magazine!” That’s what my sister-in-law said after I planted these border plants along my walkways.
Want to know my secret?
These 15 amazing edging plants will give your paths the same jaw-dropping look!
1: Thrift (Sea Pink)
I absolutely adore how these charming perennials create the sweetest pink pom-pom flowers along my garden borders from late spring to early summer.
Even when the blooms fade, the grassy foliage keeps looking fabulous all season long.
What really sold me on Thrift was how low-maintenance it is – it laughs in the face of drought and absolutely thrives in full sun. If you’re in zones 3-9 like me, you’ll love how hardy these little beauties are.
2: Dianthus
Let me tell you about my love affair with Dianthus – these compact flowering heroes have transformed my garden edges with their stunning range of colors, from soft pinks to deep, dramatic reds.
Every time I walk past them, their sweet clove-like fragrance brings a smile to my face.
While they do need regular deadheading to keep blooming, the continuous display of flowers and the visiting butterflies and hummingbirds make it totally worth the effort.
3: Dwarf Hydrangea
Adding dwarf hydrangeas along my driveway was a total game-changer. These medium-sized shrubs create such an elegant statement with their large, showstopping blooms.
I love how versatile they are with their color palette – from pink to blue, purple to white. The colors actually change depending on your soil pH, which is like having a magical color-changing garden!
They’ve found their happy place in my partially shaded areas, especially when I paired them with some delicate ferns and hostas underneath.
4: Ferns
Nothing beats ferns for creating that lush, woodland garden feel I’ve always dreamed about. These emerald beauties have transformed my shaded pathways into something straight out of a fairy tale.
I’ve found they’re especially perfect near my small garden fountain, where they thrive in the extra moisture and create this serene, natural atmosphere.
Their feathery fronds add such a soft, elegant touch to what used to be harsh garden edges.
5: Dahlias
I remember being completely intimidated by dahlias at first, but now they’re one of my absolute favorites for adding drama to my garden borders.
In my warmer garden beds, they return faithfully each year. For my friends in cooler zones (1-7), here’s my secret: dig up those tubers in fall, wrap them in slightly damp peat moss, and store them somewhere cool and dark.
The variety of shapes, sizes, and colors available is mind-boggling – I’m constantly finding new favorites to add to my collection!
6: Hostas
When I struggled with that shady spot along my garden path, hostas came to the rescue. These versatile plants have become my go-to solution for problematic shaded areas.
The variety of colors is incredible – from bright chartreuse to deep blue-green, and those variegated varieties add such interesting patterns to the garden.
While I primarily grew them for their beautiful foliage, their summer flower spikes have become an unexpected bonus that I look forward to each year.
7: Lavender
Walking past my lavender border is like taking a mini vacation to Provence! The silvery foliage topped with purple spikes creates the most beautiful, fragrant edge to my garden paths.
These sun-loving plants have proved to be incredibly drought-resistant once established, and I love how they naturally repel garden pests.
My favorite part? Brushing against them as I walk by releases their calming aroma – nature’s aromatherapy right in my garden!
8: Creeping Thyme
Adding creeping thyme between my stepping stones was one of my best gardening decisions ever. The purple blooms create this gorgeous carpet effect that can handle foot traffic like a champ.
Every time someone steps on it, the most wonderful herbal scent fills the air.
I’ve found it adapts beautifully to both sunny and partially shaded spots, and the deer in our neighborhood completely ignore it!
9: Begonias
Begonias have become my secret weapon for those tricky spots that get varying amounts of sun throughout the day.
I’ve discovered that the darker-leaved varieties handle our hot summer days much better than their lighter cousins.
These versatile beauties have transformed my semi-shaded walkways into stunning garden features that bloom reliably all season long.
10: Liatris
When late summer rolls around and other plants start to fade, my liatris takes center stage with its striking lavender spikes.
What starts as innocent grass-like growth transforms into these stunning vertical accents that add height and interest to my border edges.
They’ve proved particularly valuable in my sloped areas, where their strong roots help prevent soil erosion.
11: Daylilies
Don’t let their short-lived blooms fool you – my daylilies are constant performers in the garden border. Each flower may last just a day, but new ones open daily for weeks on end.
Their robust green foliage looks fantastic from spring through fall, creating a lush backdrop even when they’re not blooming.
I’ve planted different varieties that bloom at different times, ensuring I have continuous color throughout the season.
12: Creeping Juniper
This low-growing evergreen has become my ultimate problem-solver for difficult spots in the garden. It forms this dense, weed-suppressing mat that requires almost no maintenance.
Once established, it laughs in the face of drought and continues to look fantastic year-round.
I especially love how it helps stabilize soil on my garden’s slight slope while creating a polished, finished look.
13: Sweet Alyssum
The sweet fragrance of alyssum greets me every time I step into my garden. These petite plants, growing just 6-12 inches tall, create the most delightful border edge.
Their dense clusters of white, pink, or purple flowers seem to bloom endlessly, especially in zones 9-11.
I’ve noticed they attract all sorts of beneficial insects to my garden, making them both beautiful and functional.
14: Holly (Ilex)
Holly has become my go-to choice for year-round structure in the garden. The variety of species available means there’s a perfect holly for every spot.
I particularly love how the evergreen varieties maintain their good looks through all seasons, while their berries add welcome winter color.
Whether shaped into formal hedges or left more natural, they create an excellent living boundary that works in both sun and shade.
15: Boxwood
For creating clean, crisp lines in my garden, nothing beats boxwood. These classic evergreens have become the backbone of my formal garden areas.
Their slow growth rate means less maintenance for me, and they maintain their shape beautifully between trimmings.
I’ve found they do equally well in full sun or partial shade, making them incredibly versatile for different spots in the garden.