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Veranda published a guide to 30 plants suited to edging garden beds and walkways, including flowering perennials, annuals, herbs and ground covers. The recommendations describe different growing conditions and maintenance needs; they are gardening suggestions, not a new study or announcement.
Veranda has published a guide to 30 plants for edging garden walkways and flower beds, offering options that range from low-growing ground covers to flowering herbs and perennials. The report describes how selected plants can add color, texture or fragrance along a garden edge, while noting practical considerations such as sunlight, watering, spreading growth and pet safety.
The report presents border planting as a mix of appearance and function. Creeping juniper, for example, is described as year-round ground cover that can tolerate drought, poor soil and freezing temperatures. Its trailing growth may also help control erosion, while providing shelter for small animals and food from its berry-like seed cones. Irish moss is another low-growing option, recommended for spaces between pavers or along a rock garden.
Flowering choices include hardy geraniums, marigolds, thrift, impatiens, catmint, dianthus and lavender. The guide says hardy geraniums form spreading mounds and attract bees, while compact French marigolds can provide color into fall and may be planted alongside vegetables such as tomatoes and cucumbers. Catmint can be cut back after flowering to encourage additional blooms, and dianthus benefits from regular removal of spent flowers.
Other selections call for more attention to placement or upkeep. Rosemary can be shaped or used as ground cover, but the report advises regular trimming and harvesting to keep it in shape. Lamb’s ear may spread and need containment. Purple hearts are described as toxic to cats and dogs, and their sap can irritate human skin, so the guide recommends planting them away from areas used by pets or children.
Choosing Borders for Real Garden Conditions
The list matters to gardeners because a border plant does more than mark the edge of a path. Plant height, spread and maintenance can affect whether a walkway remains clear, whether a bed needs frequent trimming, and how well the planting suits nearby vegetables or other ornamentals. A low, spreading plant such as creeping juniper serves a different purpose from upright rosemary or a seasonal row of marigolds.
The guide also underscores that there is no single plant suited to every edge. Sunlight, water needs, climate and safety all shape the choice. Thrift is listed as drought-tolerant and suited to full sun, while impatiens need consistent watering. Dahlia behavior also varies by region: the report says they act as perennials in warmer areas but require tuber storage over winter in Zones 1–7.
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A Mix of Annuals and Perennials
The source is a plant-selection guide from Veranda, rather than reporting on a scientific trial, gardening regulation or newly released horticultural data. Its recommendations are organized around plants that can serve as borders, with descriptions of their flowers, foliage, growth habits and care. The supplied material names several examples from a 30-plant list but does not include the full descriptions for every selection.
Some distinctions help explain the choices. Annuals such as marigolds and impatiens provide seasonal flowers, while perennials such as hardy geraniums and thrift can return across growing seasons when suited to local conditions. The guide also notes that dahlias may need different treatment depending on climate, making regional hardiness and winter care relevant to planning.
Limits of the Plant Recommendations
The source material does not provide a date for publication, identify a named horticultural expert behind the advice, or give a testing method for its claims about pest resistance and plant performance. Statements such as marigolds repelling certain pests are presented in the guide, but the supplied text does not describe the conditions or evidence behind that advice.
Local results can vary with climate, soil, drainage and exposure. The source also does not provide complete details for all 30 plants, including every plant’s mature size, spacing, watering schedule or regional suitability. Readers should check plant labels and local extension or nursery guidance before choosing varieties, especially where invasive spread, toxicity or winter survival is a concern.
Check Conditions Before Planting
The report does not announce a follow-up study or a scheduled next development. For gardeners using its list, the practical next step is to match plants to the site: confirm the amount of sun, soil and drainage; check local hardiness; and allow enough room for mature spread. The source specifically advises containing lamb’s ear if it is used as an edging plant and regularly trimming rosemary to preserve its shape.
Before planting around walkways or vegetable beds, readers can also verify pet and child safety and consider how much watering and seasonal care the border will need. The available material does not establish which plant will perform best in a particular garden; that depends on local conditions and the selected variety.
Key Questions
Which plants in the guide can serve as low ground cover?
The guide describes creeping juniper and Irish moss as low-growing choices. Juniper is presented as year-round cover, while Irish moss can fill spaces between pavers or edge a rock garden.
Which listed plants need regular trimming or control?
The report recommends regular trimming and harvesting for rosemary, which can grow quickly, and says lamb’s ear may spread and need to be kept in line.
Are any of the recommended plants a pet-safety concern?
Yes. The source says purple hearts are toxic to cats and dogs and that their sap can irritate human skin. It recommends planting them away from areas used by pets or children.
Do all 30 plants suit every climate?
No. The guide describes regional differences, including dahlias behaving as perennials in warmer areas and requiring tuber storage over winter in Zones 1–7. Gardeners should check local hardiness and growing conditions for each plant.
Source: veranda.com
