8 Different Types of Landscape Edging for a Clean Look

When you flip through pages of your favorite home and garden magazine or scroll through inspiration photos online, you probably notice how clean and crisp these picture-perfect yards look. 

So what’s the secret to a magazine-worthy landscape? The trick is edging, which can create boundaries for your grass and define borders around your gardens. To find the best option for your yard, consider these eight types of landscape edging.

1. Wood

Wood landscape curbing can look natural and rustic in a garden, plus it will complement the nearby plants and trees. Wood is a higher investment than some other common landscaping types, and it costs about $12 to $50 for every 2.5 to 4 feet of edging. 

Unless the wood you purchase is treated or coated against rot and pests, be aware that this option may not last long. This more rigid material works better for straighter lines rather than curves.

2. Brick

For a quaint and charming touch, brick edging will do the trick in your landscaping. It’s also a less expensive option at about $7 to $13 per linear foot to install, or even less if you can recycle some bricks for this project. Like wood, brick is best suited for straight edging instead of curves. Brick offers a classic look, but it is more limited in terms of customization.

Although brick is a sturdy material, it may come loose or crack over time. It can also be vulnerable to the elements, such as frost.

3. Concrete

Strong and sturdy concrete offers an impressive number of options for landscape edging. You can choose concrete blocks for a raised edge around gardens, or poured concrete will lay flat, making it easy to mow along the borders. 

Poured concrete is $9 to $18 per linear foot for materials and installation, while precast concrete blocks are less expensive at about $7 to $13 per foot.

Concrete blocks are customizable and are simple for DIY installation, but they may allow some weeds or grass to creep through. Poured concrete can work well for curving borders. Both options are durable, but they can become cracked or eroded over time.

4. Stone

Stone edging offers a natural look to gardens, and you can opt for large stones or small, mixed rocks. This option offers a lot of customization for the size and shape of the rocks. Stone landscape edging typically costs about $12 to $40 per linear foot, with more expensive prices for custom options.

While stone is a good choice if you want a more organic aesthetic in your landscaping, be mindful that weeds can pop up between the rocks. Add a barrier of weed fabric before installing stone edging to minimize weeds.

5. Metal

For a sleek, modern look, consider metal landscape edging. This option, which ranges from about $7.50 to $14.50 per linear foot to install, will create a crisp line between gardens and grass. 

Interlocking metal edging is more rigid, or opt for flexible metal edging in rolls for curving borders. Keep in mind that metal can develop a patina from being exposed to the elements, but this can add character to your landscape.

6. Rubber

Often made from recycled materials like tires, rubber is a good edging option for green-minded homeowners. It costs about $1.25 to $5 per linear foot, not including installation. There are many types of rubber landscape edging, including vertical pieces, edging that lies flat on the ground for easy mowing, or even rubber mats that resemble mulch with less upkeep.

This material works well for straight or curved borders, and you can easily install round rubber mats around the base of trees. It’s not the most durable type of edging, but it will outlast plastic borders.

7. Plastic

If you want to save money, plastic edging is the way to go. This type of landscape edging is not only inexpensive at about $1 to $3 per linear foot for the materials, but it is also to install without a professional. Many no-dig options use spikes to steady themselves into the soil.

Unless you pay more for customizable options that resemble stone, brick, or wood, plastic edging won’t offer that natural look to a garden that some other organic materials will. Plastic edging can also become brittle over time as it is exposed to high heat or frost.

8. Mulch

Although you can add edging around mulch for a sharper border, mulch on its own can act as edging for a flower bed. To make a neat line where the mulching ends and grass begins, create a small trench.

• Use an edger, a shovel, or a spade to cut into the lawn along the border where you want edging. 

• Make the cut about 4 to 6 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches wide. 

• Pile mulch into the garden bed, then allow it to taper off into the trench you just cut. This makes for a sharper line that is easier to mow around.

Whether you plan to DIY or hire a landscaper near you, all types of edging will add serious style to your yard.