The 13 Best Plants for Edging Along a Sidewalk—A Comprehensive Guide to Beautifying Your Walkway

Creating a visually appealing and well-maintained walkway can dramatically enhance your home's curb appeal. Edging plants are a fantastic way to define your sidewalk while adding color and texture to your landscape.

In this guide, we'll explore the best plants for edging along a sidewalk, considering their growth habits, ease of maintenance, and growing zones.

Walkway path, The 13 Best Plants for Edging Along a Sidewalk—A Comprehensive Guide to Beautifying Your Walkway

1. Boxwood (Buxus spp.) – Growing Zones 5-9

park with shrubs and green lawns, landscape design

The popular evergreen shrub, boxwood, is known for its dense, compact growth and capacity for pruning into various shapes.

With its small, glossy leaves, boxwood creates a neat, formal appearance perfect for edging along sidewalks.

View of walkway in to a beautiful garden surrounded by the big rock and various plants at thailand., The 13 Best Plants for Edging Along a Sidewalk—A Comprehensive Guide to Beautifying Your Walkway

Many varieties are available, ranging in size and hardiness, so you can find the ideal boxwood for your climate and design preferences.

2. Lavender (Lavandula spp.) – Growing Zones 5-9

Lavender in full bloom with its beautiful purple color loved by bees and other insects

Lavender is a fragrant, low-maintenance option for sidewalk edging. The silvery foliage and vibrant purple blooms create a stunning contrast against the walkway.

Lavender flower Bushes Growing along Road or Pavement in Yard or Garden. Purple Lavender in Landscape design of Garden.

Plant lavender in well-draining soil and full sun to ensure healthy growth. Remember that some lavender varieties can grow quite tall, so select a dwarf or compact variety for a more suitable edging plant.

3. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) – Growing Zones 4-9

The macrophoto of herb Thymus serpyllum, Breckland thyme. Breckland wild thyme, creeping thyme, or elfin thyme blossoms close up. Natural medicine. Culinary ingredient and fragrant spice in habitat

Creeping thyme is a low-growing, perennial herb that forms a dense, aromatic mat of foliage. Its tiny, purple flowers attract pollinators and add a pop of color along your sidewalk.

photo of Thymus serpyllum plants along the sidewalk.

Creeping thyme is drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens. Plant it in well-draining soil and full sun for the best results.

4. Liriope (Liriope muscari) – Growing Zones 6-10

a close-up of a blue blossom of liriope muscari

Liriope, also known as lilyturf or monkey grass, is a versatile, clump-forming perennial with grass-like foliage.

Its attractive, arching leaves create a soft, flowing effect along your sidewalk, while its small, purple or white flower spikes add interest in the summer.

Liriope muscari or lily turf flower growing up in the garden on the background of green grass field garden , summer in Ga USA

Liriope is adaptable to various light and soil conditions, making it an easy choice for most gardeners.

5. Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.) – Growing Zones 4-9

A flower border in a garden with yellow- and purple-leaved Heuchera and Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens in May

Coral bells offer striking foliage in shades of green, purple, bronze, and even silver, making them an eye-catching choice for sidewalk edging.

Their low-growing habit and mounding growth form a neat border, while their delicate, bell-shaped flowers add interest in the summer. Plant coral bells in well-draining soil and partial shade for optimal growth.

6. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) – Growing Zones 5-9 (annual)

A hollowed tree trunk planted with flowers. Wood log flower pot with blooming Sweet alyssum and Lobelia. Dolomites. Italy.

Sweet alyssum is a low-growing annual with a carpet of tiny, fragrant flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple.

Its spreading habit makes it an excellent choice for filling in gaps along your sidewalk and softening the edges.

Petite snow white flowers of Lobularia maritima Alyssum maritimum, sweet alyssum or sweet alison, alyssum genus Alyssum is a species of low-growing flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae.

Plant sweet alyssum in well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade.

7. Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) – Growing Zones 3-9

Red with yellow throated daylily in a summer sunny garden close-up

Daylilies are a low-maintenance and attractive option for sidewalk edging. With their grass-like foliage and colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers, daylilies can create a stunning border.

Orange lilies grow behind a small blue metal fence. Next to the sidewalk. Turned to one side.

Choose compact or dwarf varieties for a more suitable edging plant. Plant daylilies in well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade.

8. Hostas (Hosta spp.) – Growing Zones 3-9

Green bush Hosta. Hosta leaves. Beautiful Hosta leaves background. Hosta - an ornamental plant for landscaping park and garden design

Hostas are a popular choice for edging plants, especially in shady areas. Their lush, attractive foliage comes in various shades of green, blue, and even variegated patterns, making them a versatile option for sidewalk borders.

Hosta (lat. Hosta) in garden. Hosta - genus of perennial herbaceous plants of the family Green. Beautiful bright green leaves ornamental plant hosta.

Hostas are low-growing and easy to care for, requiring little maintenance beyond removing dead leaves in the spring. Plant hostas in well-draining soil and partial to full shade.

9. Dianthus (Dianthus spp.) – Growing Zones 3-9

Dianthus flower (Dianthus chinensis) in garden

Dianthus, also known as pinks or Sweet William, is a low-growing perennial with a mounding habit that's perfect for sidewalk edging.

Flowerbed of Dianthus barbatus (Sweet William)

Its fragrant, fringed flowers come in shades of pink, red, and white, adding a burst of color to your walkway.

Plant dianthus in well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade for the best results.

10. Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.) – Growing Zones 9-11 (annuals in colder zones)

Pink garden geranium flowers in pot , close up shot geranium flowers. pelargonium

Geraniums are a classic choice for edging plants, with their vibrant flowers and attractive, rounded foliage. They're available in many colors and sizes, making them a versatile option for any garden.

Flower pot full of petunias and geraniums

Plant geraniums in well-draining soil and full sun, and deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season.

11. Japanese Sedge (Carex morrowii) – Growing Zones 5-9

Pattern of plant names Carex Morrowii Ice Dance, also known as Japanese Variegated Sedge Grass and Carex Ice Dance, is an evergreen sedge with sharp, long, green leaves with white edges

Japanese sedge is a grass-like perennial that creates a dense, mounding border along your sidewalk.

Brown Ipe hardwood deck and green Carex 'Ice Dance' Japanese Sedge evergreen ornamental grass

Its arching, variegated leaves provide visual interest, while its low-growing habit keeps it from encroaching on your walkway. Plant Japanese sedge in well-draining soil and partial to full shade.

12. Vinca (Catharanthus roseus) – Growing Zones 10-11 (annuals in colder zones)

Madagascar Periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus, commonly known as bright eyes,is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae.

Vinca, also known as periwinkle or Madagascar periwinkle, is a low-growing, spreading annual with glossy green leaves and colorful, pinwheel-shaped flowers.

Purple Catharanthus roseus mixed with orange Tagetes sp

Its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in various soil types make it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens. Plant vinca in well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade.

13. Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina) – Growing Zones 4-8

Flowers of plant Herb Lambs ear. Stachys Byzantine or stahis woolly. Selective focus

Lamb's ear is a unique, low-growing perennial known for its soft, silvery foliage that creates a stunning contrast against your sidewalk.

White and blue natural english cottage garden view with curvy pathway. Wooden archway with clematis, nepeta (catnip, catmint), stachys byzantina (lamb ears) and hydrangeas blooming in summer

Its fuzzy leaves are visually appealing and drought-tolerant, making it a great choice for xeriscaping. Plant lamb's ear in well-draining soil and full sun for the best results.