
Adding an edge to your garden beds or borders offers a simple yet impactful way to enhance your garden’s look and functionality.
A good landscape edging solution can give you clean lines, define spaces, keep soil and mulch in place, and reduce the spread of invasive grass or weeds.
With various materials to choose from, there’s a landscape edging style to suit every garden aesthetic and budget.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of landscape edging, delve into popular materials, and assess the pros and cons of each. By the end, you’ll have a better idea of what edging will work best for your garden.
Note: some of the images in this article have been created with AI to help provide some design inspiration and ideas.
Benefits of adding landscape edging to garden beds

Garden edging is more than just a decorative touch; it has practical benefits too:
- Defines boundaries: Edging gives your garden beds a clear structure, helping to separate different areas of the garden for a more organised appearance.
- Reduces lawn encroachment: By creating a barrier, edging prevents grass and other ground-covering plants from spreading into your garden beds.
- Contains mulch and soil: Edging helps to keep mulch, soil, and other materials contained within the garden bed, preventing spillage onto paths or lawns.
- Improves maintenance: Edging simplifies lawn mowing and trimming by creating a clear barrier, reducing the need for precise trimming along the garden bed edges.
- Enhances visual appeal: Edging can create neat and tidy look in your garden, adding aesthetic value by framing flower beds, vegetable patches, and other garden areas.
Now, let’s explore the different materials available for garden edging, including their advantages and disadvantages.
Materials for garden edging
When choosing an edging material, it’s essential to consider both appearance and practicality. Here’s a look at the most popular garden edging materials, along with their pros and cons.
1. Brick and stone edging

Brick and stone are classic choices for garden edging and suit various garden styles, from cottage gardens to more formal designs.
Pros:
- Durable and long-lasting: Stone and brick edging can last for decades with minimal upkeep.
- Aesthetic appeal: Both materials provide a timeless, high-quality look that suits traditional or modern gardens.
- Variety of options: Available in various colours, shapes, and textures, giving you flexibility in design.

Cons:
- Cost: Bricks and natural stone can be expensive, especially for large garden beds.
- Installation: Setting up a brick or stone edge requires significant preparation and effort, including digging, levelling and potentially using mortar. Something like the saw-tooth arrangement pictured below (under natural materials), however, can be pretty easy to install.
- Weight: Stones and bricks are heavy and can be labour-intensive to install and rearrange.
2. Metal edging

Metal edging, typically made of aluminium or steel, provides a sleek and modern look. It works well in contemporary gardens or minimalist designs.
Pros:
- Strong and durable: Metal edging is highly resilient and can withstand weathering, especially aluminium, which resists rust.
- Low profile: Metal edging can be installed to be nearly invisible, creating a clean separation without drawing attention.
- Easy to install: Most metal edging comes in flexible strips that are easy to place and adjust along garden borders.

Cons:
- Cost: High-quality metal edging can be costly, especially if opting for stainless steel or aluminium.
- Rusting: Steel can rust over time if not properly treated, which may require replacement or maintenance.
- Sharp edges: Metal edging can be hazardous if not installed carefully, especially in gardens frequented by children or pets.
3. Wooden edging

Wood offers a natural, rustic aesthetic and is available in various forms, including log rolls, sleepers and timber planks. It can look good in tropical gardens or when paired with perennial garden designs.
Pros:
- Affordable: Wood is often more budget-friendly compared to metal or stone.
- Natural look: Blends well with garden plants and other natural elements, making it ideal for cottage and wildflower gardens.
- Easy to install: Wooden borders are relatively straightforward to place and can be cut to fit curved or irregularly shaped beds.

Cons:
- Prone to decay: Wood is susceptible to rotting, especially when in contact with soil and moisture. Treated wood lasts longer but may still require replacement after several years.
- Maintenance: Wood may need periodic treatment to protect against rot and insect damage.
- Limited longevity: Wood generally doesn’t last as long as metal, stone, or brick.
4. Plastic edging

Plastic edging is lightweight, flexible, and available in various colours and styles, making it a versatile choice for gardeners.
Pros:
- Affordable: Plastic is one of the most budget-friendly edging options available.
- Easy to install: Plastic edging is flexible and lightweight, making it simple to shape around curved borders.
- Weather-resistant: Plastic won’t rot or rust, so it holds up well in damp environments.
Cons:
- Less durable: Plastic edging may crack or break over time, especially in extreme temperatures.
- Appearance: Plastic doesn’t always provide the same polished look as natural materials, potentially appearing out of place in certain gardens. It can look cheap.
- Environmental concerns: Some gardeners may avoid plastic due to its environmental impact and lower biodegradability.
5. Concrete edging

Concrete edging is versatile and can be moulded into various shapes, offering an enduring and customisable solution.
Pros:
- Durable: Concrete is robust and withstands all types of weather, making it ideal for a permanent edge.
- Customisable: Concrete can be poured into almost any shape, giving you freedom in design.
- Low maintenance: Once set, concrete requires little to no maintenance, and its colour can be customised.
Cons:
- Installation: Pouring concrete requires effort and preparation, as it needs time to set and cure. Concrete blocks can also be used.
- Permanent: Concrete edging is challenging to remove or alter once installed.
- Cost: Although cheaper than stone, concrete can still be pricey due to labour and material costs.
6. Recycled materials

Using recycled items like old bricks, bottles, or railway sleepers for edging adds character and supports sustainable gardening practices.
Pros:
- Eco-friendly: Repurposing materials is an excellent way to reduce waste and minimise your carbon footprint.
- Unique appearance: Recycled materials create a one-of-a-kind look that reflects personality and creativity.
- Cost-effective: Many recycled materials can be sourced for free or at a low cost.
Cons:
- Varied durability: Some recycled items, like glass bottles, may not last as long or could pose a hazard if broken.
- Inconsistent sizes: Finding enough recycled material of the same size or type can be challenging.
- Maintenance: Recycled materials might require more upkeep, depending on the item used.
7. Living edging

Living edging uses plants to define garden beds and create a soft, natural border. Options include low hedges, for example lavender or box, as above, grasses, or perennial flowers.
Pros:
- Blends with nature: Living edging enhances the garden’s natural look and provides habitat for beneficial insects.
- Customisable: You can choose from a wide variety of plants to achieve different heights, colours, and textures.
- Sustainable: Living edging is biodegradable and adds to the biodiversity of your garden.
Cons:
- Maintenance-intensive: Living edging requires regular pruning, watering, and care to stay tidy.
- Growth control: Plants can spread or become invasive, needing containment and frequent trimming.
- Seasonal changes: Living edging may lose foliage or colour during colder months, affecting year-round appearance.
8. Rubber edging

Rubber edging is typically made from recycled tyres, offering a durable and flexible option that’s also environmentally friendly.
Pros:
- Durable and flexible: Rubber is resilient to wear and tear and can bend easily to suit curved edges.
- Weather-resistant: Rubber doesn’t rot, warp, or fade, holding up well in various climates.
- Eco-friendly: Made from recycled materials, rubber edging is a sustainable choice for the eco-conscious gardener.
Cons:
- Appearance: Rubber may not suit every garden style, as its industrial look can feel out of place in more traditional or natural settings.
- Cost: Although made from recycled materials, rubber edging can still be relatively costly.
- Limited colour options: Rubber edging is often only available in dark shades, which may not blend well with lighter-coloured paths or beds.
Choosing the best edging for your garden
Selecting the right edging for your garden beds depends on your style, budget, and maintenance preferences. Here’s a quick summary to help guide your decision:
- Brick and stone: Classic, durable, but costly and labour-intensive.
- Metal: Sleek, modern, but may rust and can be expensive.
- Wood: Natural look, affordable, but prone to decay.
- Plastic: Budget-friendly and easy to install, but less durable.
- Concrete: Customisable and durable but permanent and pricey.
- Recycled materials: Eco-friendly and unique but with variable durability.
- Living edging: Beautiful and natural, but maintenance-intensive.
- Rubber: Sustainable and flexible but limited in appearance and colour.
With careful consideration, you can find an edging material that enhances both the look and function of your garden beds, creating a beautiful, tidy, and easy-to-maintain space.

Martin Cole has been an avid plant lover and gardener for more than 20 years and loves to talk and write about gardening. In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competition. He is a member of the National dahlia Society.
He previously lived in London and Sydney, Australia, where he took a diploma course in Horticultural studies and is now based in North Berwick in Scotland. He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012. The website is aimed at everybody who loves plants or has been bitten by the gardening bug and wants to know more.
Gardening Step by Step has been cited by Thompson and Morgan, the UK’s largest mail order plant retailer, as a website that publishes expert gardening content.