How to Make a Unique Garden Border

Overview

The border around your flower beds helps to define the garden area and separate it from the rest of the lawn. While a variety of attractive, premade borders are available from any garden supply store, you can give your garden a more distinct look and feel by incorporating an unusual border design. Explore yard sales and antique stores for one-of-a-kind pieces or colorful inspiration. Interesting materials, eye-catching colors and creative layouts can all contribute to a truly one-of-a-kind garden border.

Step 1

Raise your flower beds several inches above the surrounding yard. This will allow for a taller and more dramatic border.

Step 2

Lay out the border in an unusual design. Instead of straight lines and square or rectangular flower beds, opt for a more flowing, asymmetrical look. A border that extends around the yard in a softly waving pattern will conjure images of a flowing river. Meandering flowerbeds placed in central areas of the yard can divide the lawn into paths, ripe for exploration.

Step 3

Lay large rocks or concrete blocks around the raised flower beds. These will provide a blank palette for creating a distinct and eye-catching border.

Step 4

Surround your garden area with edging to form a barrier between the larger plants and the final border of the planting area. This edging can be composed of gravel, smooth river rocks, lava rocks or even low-growing flowers or plants. This will keep larger plants from overshadowing the border design.

Step 5

Paint the rocks or blocks with environmentally-friendly outdoor paints. You can paint them all in a single color to match the color palette of the flowers or house, or use a variety of alternating hues. You can also paint interesting patterns, scenes or even whimsical quotes onto the border.