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Edgings to Enhance Your Garden
The edging of a garden is almost as
important as the garden itself. It's like a picture
frame. The picture can be interesting and beautiful,
but it needs a frame to really enhance its appearance.
There are many different types of garden
edgings. Many people prefer to use something heavy and
permanent, like a low brick wall, or rocks set together
with mortar. However, not everyone is physically capable
of creating such a structure.
Bricks set freely can be just as effective.
They can be placed in a simple line, end to end, or
stacked in a double row, with gaps in between. They
can also be set diagonally, leaning against each other
for support.
Another attractive idea is to decorate
short lengths of board with old tiles. Tiles can often
be purchased very cheaply from re-cycling places. Glue
your choice of tile along the board using an outdoor
glue. On each end of the board, tack a peg with one
end pointed. This will be used to push into the soil
to support your board and keep it off the ground.
Bush rocks are another easy idea to
give your garden that finished look. They need not be
too big, unless you have plenty of muscle or help. You
may be able to gather rocks from a friends farm, or
from the bush if that is legal in your area. Otherwise,
garden suppliers usually have plenty to choose from.
Yet another idea is to create a living
edging. Choose a plant that will be suitable for your
climate and conditions. The pretty pink of alpine phlox
is an attractive border and the plants can be divided
and planted again and again. Many other plants can be
propagated in this way, thus reducing the initial costs.
Of course, your border will take a little more time
to get established than if you bought all the necessary
plants at once.
Gazanias are another hardy border plant
that can be divided many times. Bulbs might seem like
a good choice too, but remember that they will die down
and leave your borders looking messy for ages. Also,
they remain dormant for at least six months, so if you
plant anything else there you risk damaging the bulbs.
Of course, you can dig them up and replace them with
something else, but you may prefer a more permanent
border edge to save on the workload.
If you have a larger garden, comfrey
is a plant to consider using for an edging plant. Its
thick growth habit will prevent any grasses intruding
into the garden, and the leaves can be pulled for excellent
mulch around roses or other plants. It has delightful,
dainty flowers in season too. However, a small garden
could be overwhelmed by more than one comfrey plant.
In a small garden attractive annuals
like sweet alice, pansies, violas or petunias make great
borders. For something a bit different, try an herb
border. Then you can go out and pick your herbs any
time you want. Chives have a crisp green color that
would make your garden sparkle while strawberries will
entice the kids out into the fresh air to have a healthy
snack.
Some people prefer to simply bevel an
edge around their garden with the shovel. This is a
good option if your lawn has the sort of grass with
runners, like kikuyu. Those runners can be kept under
control by chopping them off every so often with the
edge of the shovel.
Whatever option you choose, it will
enhance your garden to have a beautiful edging.
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