While many flower garden enthusiasts enjoy the process of planting and caring for a flower garden, there is one area of flower gardening that often receives little attention: edge planting. It’s one of the easiest ways to maintain a lush green garden with very little work. The process of edge planting involves creating a structure, such as a bed or fence, that will contain the various flowers and plants that you are planning to grow. Here are a few important tips to keep in mind when planting flowers in this manner.
There are a few things to keep in mind when you are planning to edge into your flower garden. One, consider the size and shape of your garden. Before planting, make sure that the area you have available is appropriately proportioned. If your garden is rather tall, you may need to make some adjustments to the shape of your fence. You will also want to adjust the height of your edging, especially if you are planting taller plants right up against your fence.
Two, think carefully about the type of edging you choose. A low level edge can be a wonderful thing, but you should take care not to make this area too steep. On the other hand, a steep edging can also provide a beautiful display of different colors, depending upon how you plant. If you have chosen to use concrete or pavers as your edge, try to have them slightly sloping towards the center of your flower garden. This will create a softer border and will help the players to carry the eye down the flower beds rather than stand out on top of the lawn.
Three, be careful about where you place your edging. The edging you select should be able to keep plants going down to the ground. Flower plants and perennials that grow towards the front or back of your flower garden bed may be damaged by an edging fence that is too steep. It is also a good idea to select edging that follows the contours of your flower garden. For instance, you don’t want to use edging that runs along sharp curves to direct plant growth; instead, you may choose a gentle curve that follows the lines of your flowerbed.
Four, choose a variety of flower garden edging that suits your needs. It’s okay to use flower garden edging for aesthetic purposes as well, and it’s important that you don’t limit yourself to just one or two options. One way to go about this is to choose edging that complements your overall planting design. For example, if you are planning to plant a vine, add some climbing plants to the edges of your edging to help the vine to reach the height you desire.
There are also several types of material you can choose from for your edging. One option is to simply plant the various flowers and greenery directly onto your soil border. This option does have the advantage of giving you more planting space, but it can also be quite labor-intensive. Other types of border materials include planting beds, bricks, gravel, mulch, sand, and even fabric. Each of these materials offers its own unique benefits, but for the most part, you should stick with something you can easily care for.
On the other hand, flower garden edging can be a much easier project to undertake. You can simply purchase or prepare natural edging materials, such as river rocks, native plants, and wooden boards. These materials are easy to maintain, and you can prepare them for planting or trimming at any time. Your final choice for flower garden border will likely be what will look best in your garden and suit your particular needs. So take your time and consider all your options before making any decisions.
Your garden is your personal expression. By planting flowers that complement each other and bring out the color of your surroundings, you will be able to transform your garden into a beautiful place to spend time. The best flower garden edging will help to create this impact, and will help to ensure that your efforts do not go to waste. If you are unsure as to what the best border is for your garden, start by consulting the local garden center or by speaking to a landscaper. They will be able to help you determine which type of material will work best for your garden.