Best Plants for Elderly Gardeners Edge

In ornamental gardening, growing or planting small slow growing plants, bricks or stones in a straight line up to a certain height to separate flower beds, lawn or any other ornamental object from paths or walkways is called edging. It is also known as small fence or border. In other words, edging can be defined as follows:--

"The term edging can be defined as any material of any description which is employed in gardens for dividing flower beds, borders etc. from roads, walls or paths for demarcating spaces allotted for particular purposes"

kinds of Edging

Edging is divided into the following two parts-

(1) Living Edging,

(2) Mechanical Edging.

(1) Living Edging - In this type of edging, small, slow growing plants whose leaves are colorful and beautiful are used. Even if these plants flower, their height remains low, but they look very attractive. Mostly, such plants are prepared by cuttings. For living edging, such plants should be selected which can be pruned easily and cleanly.

(2) Mechanical Edging - In this type of edging, colored bricks or stones are used in a specific type of design. It is used in large gardens and parks of the city. These cost more as compared to living edging. But their effect lasts longer. In mechanical edging, bricks are placed vertically or horizontally, whose height should not exceed 15 cm in any case. The width of the edging should not be more than the width of the brick in any case. Sometimes the bricks are buried in the ground at an angle, so that only the corner of each brick is visible. Later, they are painted with colors as per the wish. By doing this, the beauty of the decorated garden increases. Beautiful stones of the same size are buried in the ground like bricks. At some places, some people bury upside down bottles instead of bricks or stones, which present a beautiful scene.

(1) Living Edging

The plants used for living edging are divided into the following two categories-

(1) Foliage plants

(2) Flowering plants

1. Foliage plants

The following plants come under this category, which are grown for living edging-

1. Alternanthera - It is a perennial evergreen plant, whose height reaches up to 25 cm. Its leaves are small in size and of many colors, which depend on its species. The leaves are mostly green, yellow, copper, red and pink. The names of its main species are given below-

Alternanthera versicolor

Alternanthera amabile

Alternanthera tricolor

Alternanthera spathulara

It is propagated by cuttings, which are planted at a distance of 3 to 5 cm.

2. Anthericum elatum 'varigatum' - The leaves of this plant are long, thin, with white and green stripes, which look very beautiful and attractive. The plant grows to a height of 15 to 30 cm. The plant can be propagated easily by cuttings.

3. Aspidistra - Its leaves are broad green and bent downwards in the form of an arch. Some of its species have green leaves with yellow stripes, which enhances the beauty of the plant. Its plant grows up to 30-45 cm in height. It is propagated by division of the root stock.

4. Caladium humboldti - Its leaves are small in size, white or mixed in color, whose beauty is worth seeing. Its plant grows up to 15-40 cm in height. It is propagated through tubers.

5. Senecio cruentus - Its leaves resemble silver. It is used for edging in shrub strips. Its plant grows 30-40 cm high. Plants are propagated through seeds.

6. Coleus blumei - Its leaves are colorful and beautiful. These plants are used for edging beds. Its plants grow up to a height of 20-45 cm. It is propagated through seeds.

7. Euphatorium - Its leaves are long and dark green. It is used for edging flower beds or rockery in mountainous areas. Its plant grows up to a height of 20-30 cm. It is propagated through cuttings.

8. Iresine - Its leaves are red, green, yellow or mixed in color, which look attractive. Plants are evergreen. Pruning of plants can be done easily. The height of its plant is up to 45-60 cm. It can be propagated easily by cutting. The appropriate time to grow it is rainy season.

9. Justicia jandarusa - Its plant is more tolerant, which survives even in excess water. It grows more in shade. It is used in dense gardens. Its plant grows up to 20-25 cm in height. It is pruned.

10. Pilea muscosa - Its leaves are small in size, juicy and fern-like. Its plants spread here and there. They are used for edging shady, open and cold places.

11. Pyrethrum oreum - The leaves are yellow in color, which looks beautiful. Its plants grow up to 15-25 cm in height. They are used in temperate climate. Cuttings are used for propagation of plants.

12. Santolina chamaecy parissus - It is also known as cotton-love. Its leaves are long, thin and white in color. They are used for edging in open places. Plants can be propagated by cuttings.

2. Flowering plants

Usually the following flowering plants are grown in different seasons for edging-

1. Sweet allysum – This is an autumn seasonal plant. Its flowers are white, red, pink and yellow in color. Its plants grow up to 20-30 cm. The flowers have a very good fragrance. It is propagated through seeds.

2. Brachycome iberidifolia – This is a very beautiful plant, which is grown for edging. It is also grown in pots. The distance between the plants is kept 15-20 cm. Flowers start blooming twelve weeks after dwarfing. The plant grows up to a height of 15-20 cm. Its flowers are of different colors. Which include white, lily-like etc. It is propagated through seeds.

3. Candytuft (Iberis amara) – It is an autumn seasonal flower. Its flowers are white, red and purple in color, which look very beautiful in groups. Its plant grows 20-40 cm tall. It is propagated through seeds.

4. Dwarf Marigold – It is a seasonal flowering plant, which has yellow or orange flowers. This variety can be planted in any type of open land. First its sapling is prepared in the nursery, then it is planted. It requires more water in dry weather.

5. Phlox (Phlox drummondii) – It is an autumn seasonal plant. It is grown for rock garden or edging. Its flowers are of many colors, pink is the main color among them. The plant grows up to 30 cm tall. It is propagated through seeds.

6. Nemesia strumosa - Its plants are grown for beds and edging. Its flowers are of many colours. Plants are grown in green houses abroad.

7. Saponaria calabrica - It is also known as Sita mustard. It is an autumn plant. Its flowers are white, yellow and pink in color. Its plant grows to a height of 50-100 cm. Its plants look very beautiful in groups. It is propagated through seeds.

8. Torenia fournieri - It is a rainy season plant. Its flowers are white, yellow, pink and blue in color. Its plant grows to a height of 20-30 cm. It is a very good plant for edging. It is propagated through seeds.

Best Plants for Elderly Gardeners Edge

(2) Mechanical Edging

Mechanical edging is made by using different types of bricks or stones. Its selection depends on the condition of the garden and the wish of the individual. This type of edging is especially made in public gardens.

In this type of edging, colored bricks are placed vertically and horizontally, whose height should not be more than 15 cm from the ground in any case. Some people bury the entire bricks in the ground, only the corner is visible above the ground. The main purpose of this type of edging is to enhance the beauty of the garden. In public gardens, stones are also used for edging and herbaceous plants are grown in between them, which look very beautiful. Nowadays, in some places, bottles are also used in place of bricks and stones. The bottles are buried half upside down on both sides of the path; this type of aging looks extremely beautiful.