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Whether a landscape bed edge is cut into the soil with a sharp spade or it's more of a permanent landscape edging material made from plastic, metal or masonry products, a defined edge adds greatly to the aesthetics. In addition to creating a well-defined border on a flower bed, edging also helps prevent the spread of stoloniferous grasses into the landscape bed.
Edges cut mechanically or with a spade need to be re-cut at least once a year, while impervious edging tends to be a more permanent solution, provided expanding shrub growth has been taken into consideration. While impervious edgings will cost more at the outset, some savings will be realized over time since beds won't have to be re-edged every year.
Posted below are some photos of various types of landscape edging installed by homeowners and landscapers to give you an idea of what type of edging you might want to use on your shrub and flower beds.
Brick Edge
(Set on a few inches of crushed limestone)
Brick Edge
(Dry mortar mix put in joints, then wet)
Deep Edge
(Usually cut with a machine or sharp spade)
Tree Edge
(Precast wall stones placed in a single row)
Natural Stone
(Rough cut stones buried end to end)
Belgian Block
(Former street stone in curb on right)
Brick Edge
(No mortar used)
Plastic Edging
(Comes in rolls to be dug-in and pinned)
Cement Curbing
(Stone coloration and impression)
Cement Curbing
(Brick coloration and impression)