"Framing America's Landscapes!"

Find the Right Edge BY VERONICA TONEY

KC AT HOME Magazine February 2015

View full article with content and images provided by The Sharper Edge at http://kcathome.com/February-2015/Find-the-Right-Edge/

Adding functional aesthetics to your curb appeal comes in the form of proper landscape edging. 

“Edging is very important because it defines the garden bed from the yard and the home,” explains Daniel Stanza, owner of Good Earth Outdoor. From a practical standpoint, it keeps the mulch or gravel in designated areas and the grass out. But from an aesthetic standpoint, it’s a way to add curb appeal and personality to a home. 

Brett Berry, founder of Berry Outdoor Living, recommends homeowners first think about the placement of edging. “How it ties into your house should be the main consideration. If it’s in the front yard, it should be prettier. In the backyard, it should be low-maintenance and can be used to manage drainage. We can create a raised garden bed with brick edging, and it’s great for diverting water,” Brett says. 

Another area where edging is gaining popularity is near swimming pools. “More and more homeowners are turning their attention to the area around swimming pools. They don’t want to landscape the entire area,” he says. 

Photo courtesy of The Sharper Edge. 

A major part of determining the placement is making sure the edging doesn’t look artificial. “Whether it curves or consists of straight lines, your edging should flow smoothly and lead your eye effortlessly from one area of your garden to the next,” Daniel adds. 

Once homeowners know the placement, the next step is deciding on the right materials. Strips of black plastic ropes circling the yard are edging of the past. Today’s edge material is as attractive and varied as the foliage it highlights. Homeowners can use plants, bricks, natural stone or concrete to create the perfect look for their front or backyard. 

Plant-based edging uses foliage to separate areas. “Plant-based edging with liriope varietals are my all-around favorite and will last forever,” Brett says. “The liriope plant grows 10 inches tall and arches out. It’s an evergreen plant that you can cut back. It prevents grass from growing into your garden bed.” 

Plant-based edging is a version of natural edging. Also called spade or garden edging, natural edging is when a trench is dug around the garden bed and filled with mulch. This type is the most cost-effective and easiest form of edging. A natural edge is ideal for mulch or compost beds and should be repeated annually, usually when a bed is re-mulched. 

Photo courtesy of The Sharper Edge. 

Stone edging is a way to extend the look of the home into the yard. Bricks, pavers and natural stone can vary by shape, size, color and texture to create a custom look. Steel edging is usually used with gravel to keep it in place. Concrete edging is a more permanent design choice. Scott Rutledge, owner of The Sharper Edge, specializes in seamless concrete edging. The technique is similar to concrete sidewalks in that it looks like natural stone, brick or blocks; has a cable running through it to maintain the shape; and is available in 48 colors to create custom seamless concrete edging. 

“We can create elegantly designed landscape beds that follow and take advantage of the natural slopes of the land,” Scott says. “It’s low-maintenance because it’s one continuous piece of concrete. It’s installed at grade on the front edge, so you can run your mower over it, and slopes up to a minimum of 4 inches on the back to fully retain the mulch or rock. If you can paint it on the ground, we can make it fit.” 

Edging is an important part of a home’s overall landscape design. Homeowners should consider their budget, the functions they want the edging to perform and their home’s overall aesthetic before making a decision. Just remember, Daniel says, that “a proper landscape design can add a lot of value to your home.”