When I first started gardening, I never thought edges mattered that much – they were just plain and boring. But once I visited my friend’s garden, I realized I was wrong.
Turns out, edges can transform a garden and low-growing perennials are the way to make that happen.
These plants add color, texture, and a bit of charm to any garden’s borders, all while being super easy to care for. No stress, no extra effort – just beautiful edges that look great all season long.
If you are interested, here are 11 of the best low-growing perennials to keep your edges looking amazing year after year.
1. Dwarf Mondo Grass Forms The Best-Looking Ground Cover
Dwarf Mondo grass is like the perfect plant for garden borders. Its dark green leaves form a tidy, low-maintenance ground cover that thrives in sun or shade. And you won’t have to worry about deer coming to your garden because they despise this plant.
Related: Monkey Grass vs Mondo Grass: 4 Ways To Tell Difference
2. Hostas Are Ideal For Shaded Gardens
If you are dealing with a shaded garden, hostas are your best bet. With their wide variety of sizes, colors, and textures, they’re made for adding a tropical vibe to shady spots. Some smaller varieties work beautifully as border plants, too. Just give them some soil that drains well!
Related: 4 Common Mistakes You Need To Avoid While Growing Stunning Hostas
3. Sweet Alyssum Is Great For Softening Garden Edges
Sweet Alyssum is a delightful little plant that self-seeds. Its low, spreading mounds are covered in honey-scented flowers that bloom in shades of white, pink, lavender, or purple all season long. Choose this plant if you want soft garden edges, pathways, or containers.
4. Speedwell Will Make Your Borders More Colorful And Cheery
Speedwell is a hardy perennial perfect for garden borders. Low-growing types like ‘Georgia Blue’ bloom with lively blue or purple flowers in spring and feature reddish foliage in fall. Easy to grow and pollinator-friendly!
5. Nepeta Features Pretty Flowers That Attract Pollinators
Nepeta is a hardy perennial that produces soft gray-green leaves and lavender-blue flowers. It blooms from late spring to summer and attracts bees and butterflies along the way. If you want more colors and wildlife, go for nepeta.
Related: If You Want A Cottage Landscape, Growing Catmint Should Be On Your To-Do List This Summer
6. Sedum Is A Cute Succulent That Can Be Used For Edges
Sedum is a tough, drought-tolerant succulent that can also be used for garden edges. Low-growing varieties like ‘Dragon’s Blood’ or ‘Angelina’ thrive in poor soil, attract pollinators, and produce vibrant fall colors. These are also ideal for dry or rock gardens!
Related: Prune Sedum The Right Way This Winter For Stunning Blooms Next Spring
7. Lamb’s Ear Has Silver-Gray Leaves That Look Stunning In Borders
Lamb’s ear is a low-growing perennial that features silver-gray leaves (these look stunning in borders). It may bloom with purple-pink flowers in summer, though many gardeners trim them for a cleaner look. This plant is drought-tolerant and can be grown in sunny, dry spots!
Related: Did You Know That Lamb’s Ear Can Be Your Ultimate Garden Defender Against Unwanted Weeds?
8. Creeping Thyme Is A Popular Choice For Garden Borders
Creeping thyme is a popular perennial that’s often grown as a ground cover. However, it can be grown as a border plant just as well! Its tiny, aromatic leaves and pink-purple summer flowers attract beneficial insects. This lovely plant can also thrive in poor soils or rock gardens!
Related: Can’t Tell If Creeping Thyme Is Invasive? Here’s What The Actual Deal Is
9. Ajuga Can Be Used For FIlling Gaps And Edging Paths
Ajuga is a fast-growing ground cover that can be used for filling gaps and edging paths. With colorful foliage and spikes of blue, purple, or white flowers, ajuga is a popular choice for gardens. It thrives in various conditions, including poor soil to light shade.
Related: 10 Indestructible Landscaping Plants That Thrive With Minimal Effort
10. Coral Bells Are Loved For Their Distinctive Foliage
Coral bells are known for their distinctive foliage that ranges from deep purples to bright greens, making them superb for shading garden edges. These compact plants also bloom with bell-shaped flowers in late spring to early summer. All they need is rich and well-draining soil to grow and thrive.
Related: 9 Fantastic Companion Plants For Coral Bells
11. Mazus Is Perfect For Edging Paths Or Filling Spaces Between Pavers
Mazus creates a lush green carpet that can be used for edging paths or filling spaces between pavers. In late spring to early summer, it produces small blue or white flowers that resemble snapdragons. This plant thrives in moist conditions and handles light foot traffic.
If you have the space, try combining several of these plants for your garden edges! Just make sure they share similar growing needs and you’re all set!
Related: Don’t Stay Off The Lawn, Grow These 11 Walkable Ground Cover Plants Instead