Get the edge: mastering landscape design for beginners

Is there anything more satisfying than seeing your garden in full bloom? A thriving tapestry of textures bursting with life and an abundance of colour. Magnificent gardens are as good for the soul as they are for nature. However, in spite of their natural beauty, to get a garden looking its best requires much human intervention – hours of maintenance and toil. 

The key to unlock garden beauty lies in the planning. And at this time of year, it is worth investing the time to plan your garden design – not just in terms of the plants you intend to introduce or move, but to its structure, style and year-round appeal. If you're new to landscape design, the sheer choice of options can seem overwhelming. Which plants should you choose and where should you place them? Should you have curved or straight garden bed lines and paths, and how do you incorporate features like benches, planters, and birdbaths to attract vibrant wildlife? There are a thousand and one questions and ten-fold answers. However, not all aspects of landscaping require as much thought.

Why garden edging matters

Garden edging is an instant way to transform your outdoor space. It creates clean lines to distinguish different areas of your garden while serving as a physical barrier that prevents weeds from spreading and keeps mulch and fertilisers in place for healthier soil and plants. Whether you’re designing the garden from scratch or retrofitting in an existing garden, edging acts as the framework.



7 steps to edge your garden design

Step 1: What’s your garden design style?

Choosing your garden design style first not only informs plant selection but ensures the garden has a consistent design language. It also influences hard landscaping decisions: the shape of a patio, the line of a path, or the positioning of a water feature which can all be unified with the edging for maximum impact.

Formal gardens work beautifully with rigid steel edging to create sharp, geometric shapes. Low box hedging, roses, and lavender sit neatly against the lines.

Cottage or wildlife gardens pair well with the warm, rustic tones of Corten garden edging, which blends seamlessly with grasses, perennials, and pollinator-friendly plants.

Modern minimalist schemes benefit from the sleek look of steel landscape edging, which can be used strategically to frame ornamental grasses, topiary, or architectural planting.

Step 2: Choose the type of garden edging you need

There are many different types of garden edging available for delivery in New Zealand. Each type has advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to spend time researching which is best for your needs and aesthetic. EverEdge NZ specialises in steel garden edging, and confirm it as the best garden edging solution for our climate:

Superior durability withstanding wind, rain and shine, lawn mower blades and even the weight of vehicles.

• An easy to complete DIY project using minimal tools.

• Maintenance-free, once it’s installed that’s it.

• Incredibly versatile; its malleability means it can be used to achieve any desired shape without sacrificing strength or longevity.

• An effective barrier to weeds and grasses.



Step 3: Plan the garden layout

If you are retrofitting edging to enhance your lawn or adding edging to flower beds, you already know where the edging needs to go. However, if you are creating a new bed or pathway, planning the layout is essential. Not only with respect to how it’s going to look but also to calculate how much garden edging you need to buy. Before you start digging, use a hose or string to outline the borders and paths to help visualise the shape and size of the layout and measure how much garden edging you need.

For specimen trees or shrubs, metal tree ring edging provides a striking circular outline, echoing the border design elsewhere and tying the garden together. You might also consider using edging to separate lawn from gravel paths, outline vegetable beds, or frame seating areas, giving your garden a structured backbone that makes each space feel intentional.

Step 4: Work with soil and aspect

Successful planting starts with choosing the right plants for the local conditions. Test your soil type and pH, and note whether your border is sunny, shaded, or exposed to wind. This ensures the plants you choose thrive, reducing maintenance and replacements. Steel garden edging also helps manage slopes or drainage, making it easier to terrace beds or create raised sections to expand planting opportunities. This makes it not only a design tool but also a practical solution for challenging garden conditions.

Step 5: Prepare the soil

Once you have started digging your new garden bed, the temptation is to get straight into installing the garden edging. However, it’s best practice to remove any weeds or unwanted plants and debris before installation. Use a spade or fork to loosen the soil and level where necessary.

You are now ready to install your EverEdge NZ garden edging. Remember, one advantage of using EverEdge steel edging for new gardeners is that unlike paver or brick garden edging, it requires no mortar for installation so it can be moved should you want to change the size of your lawn or beds later.



Step 6: Plan for plant growth

Once the edging is in place, think about how plants will mature within the border. A common mistake is planting too close to the edging line. Always allow room for the mature plant’s eventual spread to avoid overcrowding and prevent foliage spilling over and compromising the crisp edge you’ve curated. Tall shrubs and structural plants should sit towards the back, while medium perennials and grasses work well mid-border, and low groundcovers or seasonal flowers sitting at the front. Layering allows the garden edging to remain visible while still framing the plants beautifully and thankfully over time, reduces the need for replanting and minimises maintenance.

Step 7: Create flow and unity

Planting in repeated groups helps your border feel intentional and balanced. Grouping perennials in threes or fives and repeating planting along the length of the edging creates rhythm and continuity. Keep a balance of evergreen structure and seasonal colour so your border looks good in every season. For added garden design harmony, use the same style of steel edging across the garden. The edging becomes a design thread running throughout the landscape, tying together varied planting styles, seating areas, and pathways.

EverEdge: garden edging combining structure and beauty

EverEdge supplies premium garden edging products in NZ, designed to last for decades without warping, rotting, or shifting. Whether you’re seeking clean modern lines or a natural weathered finish, we have the solution. If you would like any advice or guidance about our products, call 021 925 389 or email simon@everedgenz.co.nz .