Types of Garden Edging: Which Option Is Right for Your Garden?

Choosing plants, paving and other major landscaping materials might feel like the biggest decisions in a garden project.

But the materials connecting these areas matter too.

Garden edging creates boundaries between different parts of your landscape and can influence both how the garden looks and how it functions.

The challenge is deciding which type to use.

Metal, aluminium, plastic and timber can all provide effective edging, but each has different characteristics.

Rather than asking which type of garden edging is universally "best", it is more useful to ask which option is best suited to your particular project.

Let's compare the main options.

Why Does the Type of Garden Edging Matter?

Different landscape areas place different demands on edging.

The edge around a small lawn does not necessarily need the same strength or height as an edge being used to create a raised garden bed.

Likewise, a highly visible border in a contemporary front garden may have different aesthetic requirements from edging hidden between lawn and mulch.

Before choosing a product, think about:

• what the edging needs to separate
• whether it will be visible
• whether your design is straight or curved
• how much strength you require
• the profile height
• installation requirements
• the overall style of the garden.

Understanding these factors makes comparing the different types much easier.

1. Steel Garden Edging

Steel is a strong and versatile garden edging option.

It can create clean lines without requiring a bulky border and is available in different heights and finishes.

ShapeScaper metal edging can be used across applications including garden beds, pathways, lawn borders, planter beds, tree surrounds and other landscape features.

Why Choose Steel Edging?

Steel may be worth considering when you want:

• strong landscape borders
• clean straight lines
• flowing curves
• taller profile options
• raised landscape features
• a contemporary or architectural appearance.

One of the biggest advantages is choice.

Rather than having a single standard profile, different heights and gauges allow the edging to be selected according to the application.

Steel Finish Options

The finish can also change the overall appearance considerably.

ShapeScaper REDCOR edging develops a weathered finish with warm earthy tones.

ShapeScaper galvanised edging provides a more neutral metallic appearance.

ShapeScaper ZAM edging offers another clean, contemporary steel finish.

This gives you the ability to match the steel with the wider landscape design.

For a more detailed look at steel, read our guide to metal garden edging and its benefits.

2. Aluminium Garden Edging

Aluminium provides another option for creating neat garden boundaries.

It is particularly useful when you want a lightweight, flexible edging system with a clean finish.

Link Edge aluminium edging is designed for applications including lawn, gardens, paving, tree surrounds and other landscape areas.

Why Choose Aluminium?

Aluminium edging may suit projects where you want:

• clean, low-profile borders
• flexibility
• curves
• lawn separation
• garden bed edging
• edging around paving
• a relatively simple installation system.

Different profile heights can be used for different applications, so it is important to select the size according to what the edge needs to achieve.

Where Does Aluminium Work Well?

Aluminium can work particularly well around lawns and garden beds where the aim is to create definition without a visually heavy border.

Its flexibility also makes it useful for curved designs.

If your garden contains flowing lawn edges or rounded planting areas, a flexible aluminium edge can help create smooth lines.

3. Plastic Garden Edging

Plastic edging is another common option, particularly for DIY garden projects.

Landscape Supplies Online's plastic garden edging is available in different heights and lengths and can be bent and cut to suit different layouts.

Why Choose Plastic Garden Edging?

Plastic can be a practical option when you want something that is:

• lightweight
• flexible
• straightforward to handle
• easy to cut
• suitable for general garden borders
• useful for DIY installation.

It can work well for defining smaller garden beds and other straightforward landscape areas.

When Might Another Material Be Better?

For more substantial landscape applications, a stronger metal profile may be preferable.

This is particularly relevant when the edging is being used as more than a simple visual boundary.

Consider how much pressure the edging may experience and how permanent you want the installation to be.

4. Timber Garden Edging

Timber provides a very different look from metal or plastic.

Its natural appearance can complement traditional gardens, heavily planted areas and landscapes where timber is already used in other features.

Why Choose Timber?

Timber can suit projects where you want:

• a natural aesthetic
• straightforward garden borders
• an edging material that complements timber landscaping
• defined rectangular or straight garden areas.

It can work particularly well alongside timber retaining features, raised vegetable gardens and informal landscape designs.

As with any material installed outdoors, consider how the product will interact with moisture and soil and what ongoing maintenance may be required.

Steel vs Aluminium Garden Edging

Steel and aluminium can both create clean modern landscape borders, but they have different strengths.

Steel is a good option when you need greater strength, taller profiles or want to create more substantial landscape features.

Aluminium is particularly attractive when flexibility and lightweight handling are priorities.

The design can also influence the decision.

If you want a weathered steel finish to become part of the landscape aesthetic, steel provides a distinctive appearance.

If you want a relatively discreet edge around lawn, garden beds or paving, aluminium may be suitable.

Metal vs Plastic Garden Edging

Metal and plastic can both work well, but they generally suit different priorities.

Plastic is lightweight and easy to handle, making it useful for many straightforward DIY projects.

Metal offers additional strength and can provide a more permanent or architectural appearance.

Instead of comparing the materials purely on price, consider how long you expect the edge to remain in place and what it needs to do.

A simple garden border and a raised landscape feature have very different requirements.

What Garden Edging Is Best for Curves?

For curved garden beds, flexibility is important.

Both ShapeScaper steel and Link Edge aluminium can be used to create curved landscape lines.

Plastic edging can also bend around garden shapes and may work well for simpler applications.

The tighter or more complex the curve, the more important it becomes to select a product suited to the design and follow the appropriate installation method.

Planning the curves before installation will also help you calculate how much material you need.

What Garden Edging Is Best for Straight Lines?

Straight landscape designs can work with several edging materials.

Steel is particularly effective when long, crisp lines are part of a contemporary landscape.

Aluminium can also create neat straight borders.

Timber naturally suits straight sections and rectangular garden beds.

The best choice depends on whether you want the edge to be visually prominent or almost disappear into the surrounding landscape.

What Garden Edging Is Best for Raised Garden Beds?

For raised areas, the edging needs to do more than simply mark a boundary.

It may need to retain soil and form part of the structure of the garden bed.

This is where taller and stronger steel profiles can become useful.

ShapeScaper steel is available in multiple heights, allowing it to be used for applications beyond standard low-profile lawn edging.

For dedicated planter features, ShapeScaper boxes and planters provide another option.

What Garden Edging Is Best Around Trees?

The best option depends on the look you want to create.

Flexible steel, aluminium or plastic can be formed around circular or curved areas.

Alternatively, prefabricated ShapeScaper garden rings provide a ready-made option for creating defined circular features around trees and planting areas.

These can be particularly effective when the tree surround is intended to become a noticeable design feature.

How Do You Choose the Right Type?

Start with function.

What does the edging actually need to do?

Then consider appearance.

Do you want a natural timber border, discreet plastic or aluminium edge, or a more architectural steel finish?

Next, consider the shape.

Straight lines, gentle curves and tight curves can require different levels of flexibility.

Finally, consider installation.

Make sure you understand what stakes, connectors, pegs or other accessories are required before beginning the project.

Taking these factors into account will help you choose an edging product based on the needs of your landscape rather than appearance alone.

Find the Garden Edging That Fits Your Landscape

There is no single type of edging that suits every garden.

The best choice depends on the design you are creating, the strength you need, how visible you want the border to be and how the edging will be installed.

Steel provides strength and a wide range of design possibilities. Aluminium offers clean, flexible landscape borders. Plastic provides a lightweight solution for many DIY applications, while timber can introduce a more natural appearance.

Landscape Supplies Online offers a range of garden edging options for different landscaping projects.

Explore the range and choose the edging that works with your garden rather than against it.