Bed borders ensure that the garden looks visually appealing and varied. They also make maintenance easier because the lawn does not grow uncontrollably into the beds. Natural bed borders that blend harmoniously into the surroundings are very popular.
What options are there for natural bed borders?
Natural bed borders can be designed with plants such as low hedges, culinary herbs or lavender, wooden elements such as palisades, willow branches or boarding boards, as well as natural stones such as dry stone walls. They offer visual diversity and harmonious integration into the garden.
Various materials are available for this:
- Plants
- Wood
- Natural stones.
Low plant hedges as a natural border
Many compact, low-growing plants are suitable as borders. Boxwood is still very popular, although it is severely affected by the boxwood borer in many regions. Shrubs such as the small-flowered rhododendron, the hedge myrtle or the hedge dwarf are cut-resistant and very attractive alternatives that can only be visually distinguished from the “real” box at second glance.
Classic culinary herbs such as thyme or even chives also form dense and very attractive borders. How about a fragrant lavender border that harmonizes perfectly with roses? The plant world sets almost no limits to the imagination, so that there is a suitable, natural border for every bed, regardless of whether it is in the sun or in the shade.
Wooden bed border
Wooden bed borders are available in different versions. Low palisades made of semicircular wood (€32.00 on Amazon) that are connected with a sturdy wire are very popular. They can be driven into the ground without much work and form a very attractive lawn edge.
If you are handy, you can make your own willow bed border. The flexible rods, wound around vertical pegs, create a very pretty bed border that goes wonderfully with farmhouse and natural gardens.
Natural bed borders can also be created using formwork boards. These are very robust and seem a bit more solid. They go well with vegetable beds, which they provide a stable frame.
Stone bed border
Natural stone can look extremely attractive, especially when it is piled up to form low bed borders without mortar. The work required for this is slightly higher, as the small wall requires a stable surface and careful work. This bed border rewards you with its pretty look and longevity.
Tip
For natural bed borders, include the subsoil in the planning. If the soil is heavily compacted so that rainwater accumulates, or if the garden soil is very wet, only very weather-resistant hardwood is suitable. Alternatively, choose plants that don't mind getting wet feet occasionally.
