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Border plants can help add definition, color, and beauty to your walkway and landscape. Planting border plants in groups can have a dramatic impact by helping to tie your garden’s design together and soften the hard lines of pathways and driveways.
With so many beautiful options available, it is important to choose border plants that offer long-lasting blooms and contribute color and dimension throughout the season. Here are 25 border plants you should consider for your garden borders.
Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)
Irish moss is the perfect grass replacement for areas with shady, moist soil. It forms a dense mossy carpet of tiny leaves and small white flowers. It stays green all year round and readily roots into gaps between stones and rocks.
Plant Irish moss in early spring or fall, spacing the plugs about 6 inches apart. Water regularly until well established, particularly during dry spells.
Astilbe
With feathery plumes of white flowers above fern-like foliage, white Astilbe adds a unique look to any garden. This plant does best in partial to full shade in moist, humus-rich soil. Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells. Mulch to help retain moisture and keep roots cool.
Zinnias
Zinnias are a butterfly favorite, with their wide range of colors and easy-to-grow nature. They bloom all summer long, giving butterflies a constant source of nectar.
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Lavender
Lavender is excellent for creating aromatic borders and pathways. It is also used in dried floral arrangements and essential oils. It needs full sun and well-drained slightly alkaline soil. Once established, water sparingly to prevent root rot, and prune annually for shape and increased blooms.
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Marigold
A garden favorite, marigolds repel pests and attract beneficial insects, making them perfect for borders and companion planting in vegetable gardens. It is best to plant in full sun and well-drained soil. You must water regularly but allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Remove old blooms to promote continuous flowering.
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Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Creeping thyme is an excellent alternative to grass, forming a dense mat of lush green foliage that produces tiny, fragrant flowers all summer long. It tolerates drought and a high level of foot traffic and rarely needs mowing. This grass alternative is best suited to areas that have hot, dry summers.
To establish creeping thyme, plant young plugs spaced 6-12 inches apart in the spring or early fall. Mulch around the plants to suppress weeds and water regularly until the plants are well-established.
Salvia
Salvia adds vertical interest to borders and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies with its colorful blooms. Requires full sun and well-draining soil. Water moderately, ensure mature plants do not remain soaked, and deadhead for continuous blooms.
Daylily
Daylilies are versatile and hardy. With their variety of colors and sizes, they are suitable for any border and also work well in larger plantings. They prefer slightly acidic, well-drained soil. Water regularly, especially in dry periods, and deadhead spent flowers.
Hosta
With its colorful foliage, Hosta is ideal for shaded borders or planting under taller shrubs. It offers shades of greens, yellows, and reds. Hosta requires shade and thrives in moist, rich soil. Keep soil consistently moist, protect it from pests, and ensure it isn’t exposed to too much sun.
Thrift
Thrift, often called “sea thrift” or “sea pink,” is a resilient perennial. Its striking deep pink, ball-shaped blooms adds a burst of color to most gardens. Not only are these vibrant flowers ideal for cutting, but they also make an excellent choice for border planting. Thrift is a low-growing plant that easily adapts to drought and drying winds, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners. It thrives in Zones 3-9.
Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)
Coral bells are a low-growing perennial plant that produces mounds of colorful leaves and delicate spikes of bell-shaped flowers that attract pollinating insects. This hardy plant rarely suffers from disease and grows best in shaded woodland gardens.
Dahlia
Dahlias are loved for their vibrant, showy blooms. They come in a wide array of colors and sizes and are a favorite among pollinators. Whether used in flower beds, borders, or containers, dahlias add a burst of color and charm to any outdoor space.
Blooming from mid-summer until the first frost, these perennials thrive in well-drained soil and full sun. They are suitable for USDA hardiness zones 8-11.
Coneflower
Coneflowers provide a natural, wildflower look and attract wildlife like birds and butterflies, making them popular for garden borders. Coneflowers thrive in full sun to light shade. Once established, they are drought-tolerant. Deadhead old blooms to extend flowering and control self-seeding.
Sedum
Sedums have succulent leaves that offer year-round color and are drought-tolerant. Prefers full sun and well-drained, poor soil. It’s best to avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Azaleas
Azaleas dazzle with spring blooms in vivid shades, some varieties offering foliage that lasts all year. They enjoy slightly acidic, well-drained soil and can brighten both sunny and partially shaded spots.
Phlox
Phlox are perfect for traditional cottage garden looks, providing sweet-smelling blooms that attract pollinators. Requires full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Keep soil moist during bloom and prune post-blooming to prevent mildew.
Bee Balm
Bee Balm adds bright color to borders and attracts hummingbirds and beneficial insects. It is best in full sun to partial shade in rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly and manage pests like mildew and insects.
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Catnip
Catnip is effective in borders, herb gardens, and as ground cover, repelling common garden pests with its fragrance. It thrives in full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. Once established, it is drought-tolerant. Trim midseason to refresh the plant.
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White Impatiens
White Impatiens are shade-loving plants with vibrant white flowers and little to no fragrance. It thrives in shade with moist, well-drained soil. It should not be gro
Peony
Peonies are stunning focal points with their large, fragrant blooms attracting bees and butterflies. Deep, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun is needed. Regular watering during bloom and support for heavy blooms may be necessary.
Aster
Asters bring late-season color and are hardy and easy to care for, enhancing garden borders well into the season. Plant them in full sun in moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly and divide clumps periodically.
Snapdragon
Snapdragons add height and color to borders and are available in various shades to complement any garden design. They need full sun and rich, well-drained soil.
Sweet Alyssum
This plant forms blankets of fragrant flowers in shades of white, rose, lavender, or purple. It’s a low-maintenance, cool-season annual, perfect for edgings, flower beds, and containers, thriving in full to partial shade.
Begonia
Hardy Begonia features beautiful, heart-shaped leaves and delicate flowers. It’s a resilient choice for adding a splash of color to the shaded parts of the garden. This plant does best in partial to heavy shade in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Zones 6-9
Iris
Iris plants offer stunning blooms and bold foliage, which are great as accent pieces in borders and beds. It’s best to plant them in full sun with well-drained soil. Keep rhizomes partially exposed, water appropriately, and divide every few years to manage growth.
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Choosing the right shrubs and bushes is important for both appearance and functionality in your landscape design. These plants help increase your home’s curb appeal by providing color and beauty from spring through fall. Here are 14 attractive flowering shrubs and bushes to enhance your curb appeal.
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