What are the Different Options for Decorative Edging?

Decorative edging provides an attractive border around gardens, walkways, and driveways. There are a number of different options for decorative edging. Materials such as fencing, bricks, and natural stone are often used for edging purposes. Molded concrete and landscaping timbers also make decorative edging material. A row of plants or low-wattage lighting can provide a decorative border as well.

Sections of low picket fencing can be placed along the edge of a garden to create a decorative boundary between it and the lawn. Picket fence edging can be painted in a variety of colors to compliment the surrounding landscape. Trellis edging is another option for creating attractive borders around a garden or flowerbed. This type of decorative edging can be a good choice for gardens containing climbing plants and vines.

Brick edging can be arranged in a variety of ways to make a decorative border. This edging material is available in many different colors, shapes, and sizes. Bricks can be laid end-to-end, stacked, or partially buried to create a unique design. Sizes and colors can also be intermingled to make interesting patterns. Decorative brick edging may be installed with mortar for extra durability.

Natural stone edging is available in many different materials such as marble, granite, sandstone, travertine, and bluestone. This decorative edging material provides a natural look to a garden or driveway. Most natural stone edging is quite colorful and can be laid flat or stacked together to form a low wall. This type of edging material may also be combined with landscaping stones to create elaborate garden designs. Natural stone edging can sometimes be used to enhance other garden features such as fountains and waterfalls.

Another decorative edging option is molded concrete. This material is laid in an unbroken line along a garden or driveway using an extrusion process. Molded concrete can be stained to almost any color or stamped and painted to look like brick, stone, or wood. Landscape timbers may also be used for a decorative edging material. These wooden planks can be installed horizontally or cut into short pieces and arranged in a vertical manner.

A row of plants can also serve as decorative edging for gardens and walkways. These plants may be the same variety or mixed together for added color or texture. The use of smaller varieties along the edge will allow the taller interior plants to be seen. An arrangement of low-wattage lighting can also be utilized as edging. This lighting can be imbedded in molded concrete or attached to small stakes to illuminate a driveway, walkway, or garden during the nighttime hours.