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Veranda published a guide to 30 plants that can edge walkways and flower beds, including flowering annuals, perennials, herbs and ground covers. Its examples highlight differences in sunlight, watering, spread, climate suitability and potential pet or skin risks; gardeners should check local growing conditions before planting.
Veranda has published a guide to 30 border plants for garden walkways and flower beds, featuring options such as creeping juniper, hardy geraniums, rosemary, marigolds and lavender. The selection spans ground covers, flowering plants and herbs, with different needs for sunlight, water, upkeep and climate that gardeners should weigh before choosing an edge planting.
The guide presents border plants as a way to define paths and beds while adding flowers, foliage or fragrance. Creeping juniper, for example, is described as a low, trailing evergreen that can cover ground along sunny sidewalks and tolerate drought, poor soil and freezing temperatures. The report also says it can help limit soil erosion and offer shelter and food for wildlife.
Several entries focus on flowering color. Hardy geraniums form spreading mounds, produce purple, pink or white blooms and can suppress weeds, according to Veranda. Compact French marigolds are recommended for a low-growing edge and are said to bloom into fall. Catmint can be cut back after flowering for additional flushes of purple-blue blooms, while thrift has pink flowers in late spring to early summer and is listed as suitable for USDA Zones 3–9.
Other choices bring texture or practical uses. The guide describes rosemary as both an herb and a fragrant edging plant, with upright types suited to trimming and trailing types used as ground cover. Lamb’s ear adds silver foliage but may need to be kept in bounds because it spreads. Irish moss can fill spaces between pavers, and smaller dianthus varieties offer color and a clove-like fragrance. The provided source excerpt includes only some of the guide’s entries, not the complete list of 30.
Choosing Borders for Real Gardens
A border is not only a visual line: its plants can affect maintenance, path clearance and neighboring beds. Low-growing or spreading plants may soften an edge, but some need regular trimming to stay within bounds. A gardener looking for a tidy path therefore faces different trade-offs from someone seeking ground cover, long-lasting blooms or an edible herb edge.
The recommendations also point to practical safety and growing-condition checks. Veranda says purple hearts are toxic to cats and dogs and that their sap may irritate human skin, making placement relevant in homes with pets or frequent contact. Water and sunlight needs vary: impatiens are described as needing consistent watering, while thrift and lavender are presented as sun-loving options. Matching plants to the site can help avoid unnecessary replacement and upkeep.
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A Mix of Planting Roles
The source is a Veranda gardening guide titled “30 Border Plants for the Prettiest Garden Walkways and Flower Beds.” It groups together plants with different forms and purposes rather than presenting one standard border recipe. Some are perennials, some are annuals, and others are herbs or ground covers; their suitability depends on local climate and the intended look.
Examples in the excerpt include dahlias, which Veranda says behave as perennials in warmer regions but may need their tubers lifted and stored in cooler climates, and lavender, shown as a low path-lining choice. The guide also describes hardy geraniums as deer- and rabbit-resistant and attractive to bees. These are source descriptions, not guarantees that a plant will perform identically in every garden.
Growing Conditions Need Checking
The supplied source material does not include the full set of 30 plant entries, a publication date or independent testing of the gardening claims. It is also not clear which cultivars or regional conditions the recommendations cover beyond details stated in the excerpt, such as thrift’s Zones 3–9 range. Plant performance can vary with climate, soil, drainage and care.
Some claims, including pest-repelling effects attributed to marigolds and wildlife benefits attributed to juniper, are reported by the guide; the excerpt does not provide supporting studies or quantify those effects. Readers should check plant labels and local extension or horticultural advice for suitability. Pet owners should verify toxicity information for the specific plant and animal involved.
Check Before Planting
Before buying, gardeners can compare each plant’s sun exposure, water needs, mature size and climate range with the intended path or bed. They should also account for spreading habits, seasonal bloom periods and whether a plant could be brushed against or reached by pets. The source provides no announced follow-up or update schedule for the guide.
Key Questions
Which plants in the guide can edge a sunny walkway?
Veranda lists creeping juniper, rosemary, thrift and lavender among its options for sunny borders. Confirm that the chosen variety suits local conditions and the space available.
Are any of the listed plants a concern for pets?
The guide says purple hearts are toxic to cats and dogs. It also notes that the plant’s sap can irritate human skin. Check reliable, locally relevant plant-safety guidance before planting where pets can reach it.
Which border plants may need more upkeep?
Veranda says lamb’s ear can spread and may need to be kept in line, while rosemary may grow quickly and require trimming. Catmint can be cut back after flowering, and dianthus benefits from deadheading, according to the guide.
Can dahlias stay in the ground all year?
The guide says dahlias behave as perennials in warmer regions but as annuals in cooler climates. For Zones 1–7, it recommends digging up tubers in fall and storing them in a cool, dark place in slightly damp peat moss or sawdust.
Source: veranda.com
