How to Use Herbs as Edging

Last Updated on March 6, 2024 by Kimberly Crawford

Growing edible plants to use as a border in your herb, flower or vegetable gardens.

There are many herbs that make attractive edging for your borders. They can be used in combination with flower and vegetable gardens.

1. Onion Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

Popular, fresh or dried for mild onion flavor. Grows 12-18” tall with purple flowers. Grown as a perennial and is hardy in zones 3-9.

Cut off flowers before they go to seed to prevent self-sowing. Easy to grow from seed. Sow 10-12 seeds per plug and do not thin. This will give you a nice clump to start.

2. Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum)

Use chopped leaves for a distinctive garlic flavor. Grows 12-18” tall with white flowers. Grown as a perennial and is hardy in zones 3-9.

Cut off flowers before they go to seed to prevent self-sowing. Easy to grow from seed. Sow 10-12 seeds per plug and do not thin. This will give you a nice clump to start.

3. Basil (Ocimum)

The smaller leaved basil is an excellent choice for edging. “Pistou” and “Spicy Bush” are two favorites, with “Pistou” being the smallest and growing 6-8” tall. “Spicy Bush” will grow 8-14” tall.

Sow 7 seeds per plug, and thin to 5. This will give you a nice little globe. Both are perfect for small pots or mixed containers.

4. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthrnium)

The best variety for using as a border plant is “White Stars”. It grows 7” high with masses of double white flowers.

Feverfew is grown as a perennial and is hardy in zones 5-9. Easy to grow from seed.

5. Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys)

Evergreen sub-shrub with deep green leaves. Grows 12” tall with a neat symmetrical habit. Germander produces rosy-purple flowers in summer.

Hardy perennial in zones 4-9. Can be grown from seed, but best to purchase mature plant and propagate from cuttings.

6. Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)

Makes a nice border plant, but needs to be pinched back periodically to keep plant short and bushy. Horehound is grown as a perennial and is hardy in zones 4-8.

Can be grown from seed, but best to purchase mature plant and propagate from cuttings.

7. Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)

Plant has a pungent, minty aromatic fragrance with purple flowers. Grows 18” tall. Pinching encourages side branching and bushiness.

Hardy perennial in zone 3-9. Can be grown from seed, but best to purchase mature plant and propagate from cuttings.

8. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

One of the most popular herbs. Makes excellent border plants if pinched back to encourage side branching. Hardy in zones 7-10.

Can be grown from seed, but best to purchase mature plant and propagate from cuttings, especially if you want particular cultivars.

9. Sage (Salvia officinalis)

The dwarf variety makes the best choice for using as an edging plant. Dwarf Sage is perennial. Grows 15” tall and is hardy in zones 5-8.

10. Savory (Satureja Montana)

Winter Savory has a spicy flavor with narrow leaves that are smaller and more aromatic than summer savory. Winter Savory is a perennial growing 8-10” high.

Hardy in zones 5-8. Easy to grow from seed. Sow 6 seeds per plug, and thin to 4. This will give you a nice small bush.

11. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

The best thyme to use for borders are the upright varieties. Most thyme are hardy perennials in zones 5-9. English and Silver Thyme are two favorites to be used as edging plants.

More Herbs to Grow on the Edge

Calamintha, Lavender, Italian Oregano, Patchouli, Parsley, Santolina, and Alpine Strawberry.

The best way to keep your edging plants looking their best is by regular pruning. This keeps them neat and compact. Pinching the tops will encourage branching.

Keep all your clippings for drying or to use fresh. Grooming your herbs is so rewarding. Breathing in fresh cut herbs should brighten up anyone’s day.