Walkways serve as natural guides through your yard, and the plants that line them can create a stunning visual journey. By adding the best plants for walkway borders, you not only define the space but also add an extra layer of warmth and personality to your garden. These plants can soften hard edges, introduce vibrant colors, and create a natural flow that encourages you to wander and explore.
Beyond just the aesthetics, the plants you choose can offer practical benefits too. Well-selected edging plants can help keep mulch or gravel in place, reduce soil erosion, and even attract beneficial pollinators to your garden. Some plants also introduce delightful fragrances that greet you as you walk by, turning an ordinary path into an immersive sensory experience. Whether you’re after the bold, colorful blooms of dahlias or the soft, velvety texture of Lamb’s Ears, the right plants will enhance the overall beauty and functionality of your garden path, making it both welcoming and visually captivating.
Best Plants for Walkway Borders
1. Creeping Juniper
Creeping Juniper is one of the most popular choices for walkway borders, and for good reason. Its compact size and low-growing habit make it ideal for lining paths without overwhelming the space. As an evergreen, it adds year-round beauty with its lush, green foliage. Plus, it’s drought tolerant, which means minimal maintenance even in hot summer months. This plant is perfect for areas with well-drained soil. Best of all, it thrives in full sun, making it an excellent option for bright, sunny pathways.
It is not only practical but also brings a soft, grassy foliage that adds visual interest without competing with more colorful plants. It’s hardy in warmer regions and can even handle some foot traffic, making it durable enough for busy areas of the yard. You can plant it in spring to give it a head start, ensuring it’s well-established by the time summer arrives. This is one of the best plants for walkway sides if you’re looking for an effortless, year-round ground cover.
2. Lamb’s Ears
If you’re after texture and a little whimsy, Lamb’s Ears is a fantastic choice. Known for its silvery, soft foliage, this plant adds a beautiful touch to garden paths. It’s low maintenance, drought tolerant, and perfect for garden ends that get partial shade. Lamb’s Ears grow best in well-drained soil, and they’re ideal for creating a vibrant border when paired with other perennials.
Lamb’s Ears is also a great edging plant for garden beds as its low-growing habit creates a soft, consistent frame along walkways. You’ll love how it adds visual interest to your landscape without requiring too much care. This perennial holds its charm through the growing season and looks especially beautiful when paired with bright pink flowers, adding a splash of color against its muted tones.
3. Impatiens
Impatiens are the perfect solution for shady walkways that need a pop of color. These beauties come in a wide range of hues, from white flowers to vibrant oranges and pinks, making them one of the most colorful options for walkway borders. They grow in partial shade and prefer moist soil, so be sure to water them regularly for the best results.
Impatiens are a great choice if you’re looking to have a colorful border along a garden path. These plants bloom all summer long, and their compact size makes them a great fit for small spaces. Plus, they’re beloved by pollinators like bees, making your garden not only more beautiful but more eco-friendly too.
4. Astilbe
Astilbe adds both elegance and height to your garden edges with its feathery plumes of flowers. This perennial thrives in partial shade and soggy soil, making it an ideal plant for cooler, shadier walkways. It’s a low-growing plant that comes in shades of pink, white, and even bright red, offering a dazzling border for your paths.
Astilbe also works wonderfully alongside ornamental grasses or other shade-loving plants like ferns and hostas. It’s one of those border plants that looks great planted in clusters, creating a consistent frame along walkways while adding height and color to your landscape. Plant Astilbe in late spring to ensure that you enjoy its blooms all summer long.
5. Thrift
Looking for a low-maintenance, hardy plant that thrives in full sun? Thrift, also known as sea pink, is an excellent choice. This perennial features grassy foliage with bright pink or white flowers, and it loves well-drained soil. Thrift is a great edging plant for spaces that receive a lot of sunlight.
Thrift is perfect for hot, dry climates and adds a charming, cottage-like feel to your walkways. It doesn’t require much care and will continue to bloom through late spring and early summer. Its compact form and cheerful blooms make it a favorite for edging plants, especially in warmer regions where heat-tolerant plants are a must.
6. Dahlia
Dahlias are the showstoppers of the garden path! Their large, colorful blooms add drama and beauty to any landscape. Although they require a bit more maintenance, including regular watering and feeding, the payoff is worth it. Dahlias love full light and well-drained soil, so be sure to plant them where they’ll get plenty of sun.
If you’re looking for an edging plant that adds a burst of color, Dahlias are your best bet. With their wide range of colors and bloom sizes, they provide an eye-catching display from early summer through late summer. Just be prepared for some pruning to keep them in shape along the walkway.
7. Dianthus
Dianthus, often referred to as “pinks” due to their vibrant, pink-edged petals, is another perfect plant for walkway sides. This low-growing plant provides a burst of color with its fragrant, clove-scented flowers that bloom in early spring. Dianthus prefers full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for garden beds that receive plenty of sunlight.
Dianthus is a favorite among gardeners for its low maintenance and ability to thrive in various soil types. Its compact size and cheerful blooms showcase a vibrant border that adds elegance to any garden path. Plus, the fragrance is a bonus – as you walk by, you’ll get a whiff of its sweet, spicy scent.
Conclusion
When it comes to creating beautiful walkway borders, the right mix of low-maintenance, colorful plants can make all the difference. From the evergreen beauty of Creeping Juniper to the fragrant, colorful blooms of Dianthus, these plants are perfect for defining your garden path while adding texture, color, and charm. With the right combination of full sun, partial shade, and drought-tolerant plants, your walkway will not only look stunning but grow throughout the growing season. So, get planting and watch your outdoor space transform into a beautiful, welcoming retreat!
