On the Edge: 16 Garden Borders You Can Make

Edging formed with upside-down wine bottles is a refreshing change. Cleverly and artistically involving recycled materials, this border would look great with bottles of any color!

A truly organic approach is to line your landscaping beds with fallen tree branches. Regular maintenance may be needed to keep things tidy, but the beautiful result is both earth- and wallet-friendly.

This gracious polished stone mosaic creates a sleek transition from walkway to grass. While it’s a custom treatment with a custom look, it’s one that any industrious DIYer could accomplish as well.

Large, whole clam shells make a unique edge between grass and flower beds. Sun-bleached and natural, this beachy border almost conjures up the ocean wind.

Repurposed steel pipes form an industrially inspired border of narrow, cylindrical planters that show off succulents in style. No need to worry about the age of your pipes: A rusted patina has earthy appeal and evokes a sense of history.

An eclectic collection of dinner plates makes a whimsical and unexpected border for this mature garden bed. Anyone up for a picnic?

Turn your unused flower pots upside down for a bright, no-frills terra cotta border. Later in the season, when it’s time to repot, the planters can be returned to service. 

Cinder blocks define a simple, geometric edge between driveway and plantings. For good drainage, keep the holes facing out, or you can turn them up to make a series of mini planters.

Staggered-height bamboo lends a Zen-like effect, plus the plant’s fast rate of growth makes it a sustainable resource, not to mention an economical one. Oh, and it looks great, too!

Bricks aren’t just for walkways and patios. Here, red clay bricks are set side by side on an angle to create a beautiful garden bed border. Buy new bricks—or pick up salvaged ones for added character!

Now that winter has passed, try turning your leftover wood logs into a dramatic raised border. Birch logs, shown here, offer a stunning contrast to surrounding greenery.

Reclaimed wood, cut to various lengths, can artfully punctuate your garden beds. Even small scraps are enough to incorporate. Weathered, stained or painted, it brings a playful feeling to your plantings.

Woven wattle fencing has had popularity for centuries in Europe. It lends a rustic charm to a landscape or garden border. Made by weaving thin branches (most commonly willow or hazel wood) through stakes, it forms a latticework that is all natural and earth-friendly.

A purposefully planted border of herbs or flowers can make an outstanding landscape border. You’ll want to make sure it is something that grows neatly, or can be kept that way. This herb border makes a stunning separation between a mulched bed and sand garden path.

A stacked stone landscape edging offers agrarian charm for minimal effort. With no mortar required for borders less than 18 inches high, it’s a look that can be easily achieved by a DIY beginner who doesn’t mind the lifting and carrying of the stones.

Big river rock has a natural and informal look, and is easy to install. Its cottage feel is enhanced by growing stone-loving plants, like sedum and thyme, in and around it.