The importance of edging beds for the visual aura of private green areas only penetrated the consciousness of creative garden architects late – but all the more intensively. For centuries degraded to the sober demarcation between paths, lawns and beds, the bed border now plays a dominant role in garden design. Hobby gardeners who do not want to miss out on this uncomplicated option for imaginatively upgrading their garden are suddenly faced with a flood of inspiration. The following collection of ideas made of metal, white, wood and stone would like to help you discover the perfect bed edging that allows all the elements in the overall concept of the home garden to merge into a harmonious unit.
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Metal – contemporary and practical
Profiles made of metal, such as aluminum and zinc, or alloys, such as steel, convey a contemporary look that harmonises perfectly with modern homes and gardens. The possible uses are wide-ranging:
- Accurate separation of lawn and flower beds.
- Great effect as an LED-illuminated bed border or lawn edge.
- Curved frame around ornamental beds within a gravel area.
- Shapely demarcation option on roof gardens.
- Versatile stylistic device in modern grave design.
- Order-creating edging of the vegetable garden beds.
Even if a garden lover’s primary aim is to put rampant lawn edges in their place with the help of metal profiles, they automatically receive a visual upgrade of their system; not forgetting the time saved in the care of the lawn edges.
Cast iron with a touch of nostalgia
Metal bed borders are not limited to modern styles. As an iron-carbon alloy, traditional cast iron does not have the mobility of steel, but it does score points with higher stability and corrosion resistance. In addition, since the low-viscosity melt of the cast iron can be poured and shaped much better than molten steel, unimagined shapes open up at a level of craftsmanship.
- Ornamental elements, forged with antique, playful patterns in a country house style.
- Sticked into the ground on long spikes along the dividing line between beds and paths.
- As a shapely bed marker for the border of the herb bed .
- With a rust-patinated surface, cast iron elements serve as a subtle bed frame.
Harmony in perfection is created when there are plant ladders, wind chimes or flower pot holders that match the cast-iron bed border.
Natural flair thanks to Corten steel
If the hobby gardener has in mind a metal bed border that is more resistant to the effects of the weather and at the same time brings a touch of nature to the green area, Corten steel comes into play. This special steel forms a rust patina over time without losing its weather resistance.
- Alternating Corten steel profiles and patinated cast-iron elements.
- Creating a stylish combination of impregnated wooden beams and corten steel.
- Bed border and the balcony or terrace cladding with Corten steel.
Since the profiles of this special steel can be produced in almost unlimited heights, they are ideal as a tasteful framing of raised beds . Experienced hobby gardeners add a layer of polystyrene between the bed frame and the substrate, which remains invisible to the viewer and at the same time creates a hardy raised bed.
Willow – wicker fences with rustic charm
Woven willow fences are always shortlisted where the periphery of the beds should reflect the nature-loving character of the garden. Handcrafted from 100% natural materials, they underline the casual aura in the cottage garden just as effectively as the Asian serenity of the Japanese garden.
- Set the braided segments in the ground around the bed in a rectangular or square arrangement.
- Stapled fence elements are suitable as frames for round beds or wavy lines.
- Loosen up the picture by placing 20 cm, 40 cm and 60 cm elements alternately.
- Aesthetic dividing line between bed and lawn or bed and driveway.
A creative twist comes from the idea of combining the small, braided fences with narrow, elongated wicker baskets that act as mini beds. The inventive hobby gardener inserts them between the fence elements according to a fixed order or according to his mood. Designed with water- and air-permeable fleece, they can easily be planted with flowers.
wood
Wood plays a central role in garden design that is in touch with nature. Consequently, the use of this original material as a bed edging is obvious, especially if the basic stylistic orientation of the plant demands it. In contrast to the rather delicate wicker fences, the wooden bed border is a touch more dominant. Depending on the type of wood selected, this raw material convinces with a robust longevity, timeless appearance and comparatively uncomplicated handling. Fine woods such as oak, robinia, Douglas fir or larch are a bit more expensive to buy, but take decades to rot. Cheaper woods, such as spruce or pine, boast easy processing and low weight thanks to the lower wood density. The personal preferences of the garden owner and the available budget play a role in the decision-making process. Irrespective of this, the material wood just lets the ideas flow.
- Unrollable half-timbers border beds of any format, straight or curved.
- Ideal for decoratively compensating small differences in height of long borders.
- As nailed plug-in fences with round heads for edging boxwood beds.
- In the form of sturdy mini palisades as an original version of bordering beds.
In the small garden, half-timbers in descending or ascending order create a visual depth that makes the area appear larger. If it can’t be rustic enough for you, choose a wicker fence made of hazelnut with an almost archaic appearance. The use of a small picket fence, composed of oak posts, larch slats and ash clips, goes in a similar direction.
Stone – a bed border for eternity
If a hobby gardener is working towards creating a permanent bed border for his green realm, he cannot avoid stone. At the same time, a breathtaking wealth of practically implementable ideas opens up for him, most of which are constructed in-house to save costs. As the most important premise when selecting the material, experts recommend using stones that are already in the walls of the house, in the paths or on the terrace.
Natural Stone
With basalt, granite, sandstone, marble and other types of stone, Mother Nature provides the ingredients for durable flowerbed borders. They fit perfectly into the natural garden, the cottage and Japanese garden as well as in systems with a modern style orientation.
- Natural stone, laid flush with the ground, serves as an easy-care lawn edge.
- Slightly raised paving stones form an aesthetic dividing line between bed and lawn.
Since natural stones can be adapted to any imaginable bed shape, they attractively border island beds in the lawn.
Old clinker
bricks A smart alternative to expensive natural stone are used bricks, which are often available free of charge for those who collect them from construction sites. Landfill sites for building rubble also offer old bricks for sale for little money.
- Lay antique bricks in a geometrically exact shape around the bed.
- A loosened jagged crown form with the help of standing runners.
- Lay out two rows of stones offset to each other and flush to the ground.
- If you like, you can add a 3rd row with slanted bricks that stand upright.
Depending on personal taste, bricks are combined in different color nuances or lined up in a homogeneous color.
Excess roof tiles
A design idea for lateral thinkers also comes from the direction of house construction. If a sufficient number of roof tiles remain after the construction of a house or a roof renovation, creative minds will conjure up an unusual bed edging in no time at all. Stacked at the desired height and lined up next to each other, classic or unusual gradients can be formed as desired. A heart-shaped bed is just as feasible as a pyramid or rhombus.
Concrete Blocks
Often reviled, often misunderstood, concrete blocks are gradually breaking free of the reputation of creating a cold, impersonal atmosphere. Since the material can be precisely processed and even colored differently, concrete blocks are increasingly used as imaginative bed borders.
- Round concrete palisades bring calm to the appearance of the border of the bed.
- Height-staggered palisades make the look appear more informal.
- Thanks to the rough edges, angular concrete palisades frame beds with natural grace.
All creations in stone have in common the attribute of a permanent bed border that rarely requires maintenance. In this context, it should not go unmentioned that it takes a lot of time, energy and material to reach the goal. Since natural stones, like concrete blocks, tend to sink into the ground over time, they are laid in a gravel bed or in lean concrete.
Conclusion
For a long time, the topic of bed edging in garden design was treated a little neglected. Ever since creative hobby gardeners discovered the visual power that is hidden in them, ideas have been bubbling up out of metal, willow, wood and stone for tasteful and smart bed borders. The use of metal emphasizes the reduction to clear forms. Braided willow ensures order in the garden in a natural, unobtrusive way. On the other hand, wood achieves a rustic and at the same time dominant effect, which is complemented by less delicate perennials than imposing ornamental grasses, box trees or other bedding plants as a visual counterweight. Finally, when the material stone comes up for discussion, even the biggest doubters will no longer be satisfied with a garden without a bed border.