Although you can already find a huge selection of bed borders and lawn edges in specialist shops, organic gardeners in particular appreciate the bed edging with plants. As early as the Middle Ages, people knew how to create green, living bed borders, especially with herbs, and to use them as a natural protection for crops against pests. In addition to herbs, there are of course also a number of plants that are suitable as a natural border between the lawn or the garden path and the bed, regardless of whether it is a vegetable garden or a more classic garden area.
When making the right choice of bed-bordering plants, in addition to size and flower or leaf color, you should definitely pay attention to how the plant spreads, where it thrives best and what kind of care you should expect. Suitable plants usually propagate by root suckers or seedlings. And although such a bed edging is relatively labour-intensive, the effort will certainly pay off later, with a soothing green or magnificent flowers.
A bed border with plants ensures more naturalness and harmony in the garden
Bed edging with herbs
Some of the most popular plants to use as a border are herbs, most notably lavender. The beguiling scent from Provence not only affects us, but also affects insects – just a little differently. These are not attracted, but chased away. In this way, you can completely do without artificial, harmful protective agents.
Rediscover lavender as a bed border
Of course, in addition to lavender, other herbs such as sage, thyme, savory, rosemary, oregano or hyssop as well as chives and rue are also suitable for edging beds in the garden. In addition to fragrances, some of these herbs also contain many bitter substances such as mustard oil glycosides, which are just as successful in keeping pests away.
Vegetable gardens in particular benefit from natural bed borders with herbs
At the same time, flowering herbs attract many beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies
Bed edging with shrubs
Boxwood is definitely one of the classics here. In many professionally landscaped gardens, but also in small amateur gardens, box hedges can be seen in various forms as a living bed border. As well as being hardy, this shrub is always green and relatively easy to care for. Unfortunately, the box fungus has recently become active and many gardeners have been looking for alternatives for their natural bed borders. A great decision is, for example, May Green – Lonicera nitida. This elegant shrub is easy to grow from cuttings and is quite hardy and easy to care for.
Lonicera nitida, also known as May Green, is particularly suitable for low bed borders
Beautiful, round shapes made of boxwood
Additional tip: Other successful alternatives to boxwood are some varieties of creeping spindle (Euonymus fortunei) as well as the dwarf barberry.
Border with flowers and succulents
Flowering plants and robust succulents are no less popular for living bed borders. As a herald of spring, primroses are a perfect choice for your colorful border. Because these wonderful flowers are not only fantastically beautiful and robust, but also very easy to care for and fortunately perennial. Her Far Eastern sister, the tiered primrose (Primula japonica)also tiered cowslip called, impresses with its magical, blood-red flowers and juicy, green leaves.
Colorful primroses are the perfect choice for your border with flowers
Primula japonica with its magnificent flowers as a bed border
Another great choice for your border with flowers are all types of cranesbills. Our favorites among them are definitely the Balkan cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum) as well as the blood-red cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum).
The Balkan cranesbill is very robust and smells wonderfully fresh
You have probably already experienced the majestic Heuchera, also known as the purple bells. Or at least you’ve seen their gorgeous, blood-red blooms in gardens. This plant, which originates from North America, grows like a clump and is always preferred by many experienced gardeners as a border for beds.
The leaves of some Heuchera species are beautifully reddish or even brown
The bell-like flowers of these perennials can also be pink, white, or even blue, depending on the variety
Rose plants like lady’s mantle (Alchemilla) are also suitable if you are looking for suitable plants for your bed border. Lady’s mantle is also a valuable medicinal plant that can promote the desire to have children and is therefore used as the main ingredient in pregnancy tea.
Summer spiky (Spiraea japonica) is another member of the rose family of plants and is just as perfect for your bed border with plants. You can also cut back your summer spars several times a year so that they bloom even more magnificently.
Summer Spiraea (Spiraea japonica) with lush purple flowers
Nasturtiums as a protective border against pests
The nasturtium is not only beautiful. This magnificent flower belongs to the so-called spice plants and is a well-established defense against aphids and snails. A great additional effect: nasturtium helps the tomatoes to grow faster.
Easy-care bed edging with succulents
Last but not least, the succulents have their turn. These sturdy plants with succulent, evergreen leaves are simply the ultimate among all plants suitable for edging beds.
Prefer perennial succulents like these ice plants as a bed border
Conclusion:
A lot of herbs, shrubs, flowers and hardy perennials are suitable for your perfect border with plants. These plants not only give your beds structure and a natural look, but also rich colors and green freshness. Take a look back at all of the edging plant examples from today’s post and see which ones will suit your garden best. Take into account the lifespan, flowering time, height, care and propagation of the plants so that you can design your own garden exactly according to your personal preferences.
The Freshideen editorial team wishes you lots of gardening fun and every success!
Choose the right plants for your bed borders and enjoy their blooms and green freshness
Spring borders with tulips and daffodils
And that’s how it can look like with you in the summer
Red roses and fragrant lavender – a classic combination
It also becomes classic with boxwood
Nasturtium, thyme and sage keep the harmful insects away
Ladybugs, on the other hand, are more than welcome
And how about lush blooming hydrangeas?
Marigolds, on the other hand, are quite reserved, but very easy to care for and sunny
Even some species of the royal tub plant from Africa agapanthus can be planted as a bed edging
Design your own garden with flowers and plants according to style and taste
