59 Low Growing Perennial Plants For Garden Edges and Borders

There are many reasons to create a garden border, from aesthetics to actual use cases. Luckily, short perennials do an excellent job of filling in an area for a long period. Even better, you can harvest some perennial vegetables or herbs depending on your climate.

However finding the right low growing perennials that will come back year after year can be a challenge without a little bit of guidance. You want to have the right balance of color and plant shapes in your yard so it doesn’t feel off balance.

So, whether you’re aiming to achieve a specific color scheme for your garden edge or you’re waffling about the look you’re going for, our 59 low-lying perennial recommendations below will undoubtedly help you narrow down your version of the perfect garden border.

Astilbe

	botanical name Astilbe spp.
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 1-5′
	hardiness zones 4-9

The beautiful Astilbe has spikey flowers that range in color from white to dark purple. There are many varieties to choose from, some with straight stems and others with arching stems.

Abstile plants grow best in partial shade with a few hours of sunlight per day. They like well-fertilized soil that drains well. Cut their plumes back in the spring and expect flowers from spring to summer. Astilbe flourishes in USDA zones 4-9.

Autumn Fern

	botanical name Dryopteris erythrosora
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 1-2′
	hardiness zones 6-12

Autumn Ferns make excellent foliage perennials along garden edges and borders in shaded or wooded areas. As youngsters, the autumn fern is copper-red before changing to green.

The slow-growing fern gets up to 24 inches tall and needs moist soil, so you should water it weekly at a minimum, and more in hot weather. It spreads quickly via underground stems but is slow to reach maturity. Autumn Ferns grow in USDA zones 6-12.

Barrenwort

	botanical name Epimedium grandiflorum
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 10-18″
	hardiness zones 4-8

The hardy Barrenwort grows up to one-foot tall and three feet wide, boasting flowers of pink, yellow, orange, and more colors in the spring. If you pick the right variety, this can be an evergreen plant, with its intricate veins offering a unique appearance. For instance, ‘Rose Queen’ is an evergreen epimedium.

Barrenwort needs partial or complete shade. It does an excellent job withstanding drought with the support of leathery leaves, making it an ideal low-maintenance short perennial. Barrenwort thrives in USDA zones 4-8.

Bearberry

	botanical name Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-12″
	hardiness zones 2-7

If your garden contains sandy and rocky soil, Bearberry is an excellent fit. The low-lying plant uses rhizomes to create a thick mat where you plant it, and its white or pink flowers attract butterflies from April to June. This is a cold hardy ground cover that thrives in difficult conditions.

Bearberry needs acidic soil with a pH ranging from 4.0 to 6.0. It does best in dry to medium soil moisture. This perennial also prefers full sun. Bearberry thrives in USDA zones 2-7.

Blanket Flower

	botanical name Gaillardia spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2″
	hardiness zones 3-10

Blanket flowers are orange perennial flowers that provide a wild look that lasts for much of the year. They’re native to the central U.S. and Mexico, so they have a high tolerance for both drought and cooler temperatures. They are tough perennials that last in rough terrain and hot heat too.

Most Blanket Flower stems grow between one and three feet, so they are on the taller end of plants on this list. In addition, they need full sun to produce their rich red and yellow colors. Blanket Flowers grow in USDA zones 3-10.

Bleeding Heart

	botanical name Lamprocapnos spectabilis
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 2-3′
	hardiness zones 3-9

The beautiful woodland bleeding heart enjoys shade. In spring, this plant blooms heart-shaped pink or red perennial flowers with white tips. The shortest versions of bleeding hearts grow only six inches tall and one foot wide, but this species tends to grow two to three feet tall.

Bleeding hearts need moist, organic soil and full or partial shade. They prefer neutral to slightly alkaline soil ranging from 6.0 to 8.0, as they’re native to eastern Asia. Bleeding Hearts grow best in USDA zones 3-9.

Blue-Eyed Grass

	botanical name Sisyrinchium angustifolium
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-24″
	hardiness zones 4-9

Don’t let the name fool you—blue-eyed grass is a gorgeous perennial with purple flowers, not a grass species. Instead, it’s situated in the Iris family. Nevertheless, its sword-like, upward-growing leaves make it look like grass when it isn’t in bloom.

You can expect blue-eyed grass to grow between eight and 24 inches tall. These thrive in rich, well-draining soil and full sunlight, but they easily handle poor soils. Blue-eyed grass grows in zones 4-9.

Blue Star Creeper

	botanical name Isotoma fluviatilis
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 3″
	hardiness zones 6-8

Blue star creepers make for excellent ground cover around garden edges and borders because they spread fast, creating a thick mat. As a ground cover, this is a stunning addition that and grows no higher than three inches. The stems boast purple to blue star-shaped flowers that bloom from spring to summer.

They prefer full sun and hold up well in a range of soil pH, taking the word “hardiness” to the next level since they can withstand foot traffic. The blue star creeper flourishes in zones 6-9.

Calla Lily

	botanical name Zantedeschia aethiopica
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3′
	hardiness zones 8-10

With its large, glossy green leaves and deep trumpet-shaped flowers, the calla lily is a gorgeous staple to garden borders. You can also purchase this plant in many flower colors, including black. It’s a beloved cut flower, that works nicely in arrangements and thrives in tropical areas.

Adult calla lilies grow up to three feet tall and are relatively self-sufficient. They prefer full sun or partial shade and moist soil, when possible. The calla lily grows in zones 8-10.

Catmint

	botanical name Nepeta spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10-36″
	hardiness zones 4-8

As a member of the mint family, catmint’s grayish-green leaves have a minty scent. The plant blooms several times throughout the year, offering pink, purplish-blue, or white flowers. It attracts cats to the yard, but also pulls in plenty of beneficial insects as well.

The sprawling nature of catmint makes it an excellent perennial for garden edges, especially since it’s a deer deterrent. It’ll grow ten to three feet tall in full sun or partly shaded areas with dry and fast-draining soil. Catmint grows in zones 4-8.

Coral Bells

	botanical name Heuchera spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-18″
	hardiness zones 4-8

Coral bells are short perennials with thin stems. They have tiny round flowers that dangle outwards, giving them the appearance of a bell or meadow sage. You can choose to purchase this low-growing perennial in coral, pink, or red colors, among others.

You should plant most coral bells in partial shade. However, there are newer cultivars that can handle full sun. They subsist in neutral to acidic soil and frequent watering with good drainage. Coral bells grow best in zones 4-8.

Creeping Mazus

	botanical name Mazus miquelii
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-6″
	hardiness zones 5-8

If you expect your border or garden edge to get some foot traffic, planting creeping mazus is an excellent option as it’s hardy and feels soft to the touch. If you plant it in warm climates, you can expect it to maintain beautiful green leaves year-round.

You can plant the creeping mazus in just about any soil type and pH. However, make sure it won’t be around standing water. It grows in zones 5-8.

Creeping Thyme

	botanical name Thymus serpyllum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3″
	hardiness zones 4-9

If you’re looking for a short perennial for your garden border that you can also use in cooking, creeping thyme is an excellent choice. It has a vine-like nature, making for fantastic ground cover. It also has pink, white, or purple flowers that bloom in the summer. It spreads and divides easily, making moving it around an easy process.

You should plant creeping thyme in loose soil with rocks or sand and a neutral pH. You can expect this plant to grow two to six inches tall. Creeping thyme requires zones from 4-9.

Daylily

	botanical name Hemerocallis spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10″-3′
	hardiness zones 3-9

Daylilies are a favorite for garden edges and borders because of their large, orange-yellow flowers with six petals. They bloom anywhere from spring to fall, sometimes multiple times throughout the year. That’s a positive, given the daylily flower’s petals drop after one day.

The hardy daylily can withstand poor soil conditions, drought, and sporadic amounts of sunlight, although it prefers full sun and slightly acidic to neutral soil. These can be invasive depending on the region in which you live. Opt for less invasive lilies on your garden border if you do live in an area where these crow out native plants. Daylilies grow in zones 4-9.

Dusty Miller

	botanical name Jacobaea maritima
	sun requirements Full sun to full shade
	height 6-36″
	hardiness zones 7-10

The dusty miller is a classic short perennial for garden edges and borders, given that it grows six to 36 inches tall. It has head-turning silvery-white leaves that remain that way from the time you plant them. In the summer sparse, but pretty yellow flowers form.

Dusty millers adapt to different light conditions ranging from full sun to full shade. They don’t mind poor quality soil, but it should be well-draining. Dusty miller grows in zones 8-11.

Dwarf Abelia

	botanical name Ab3lia x grandiflora
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3′
	hardiness zones 6-9

Dwarf abelia is an attractive shrub, with the smallest varieties reaching up to two feet tall and three feet wide. It has green leaves that may be monochrome or variegated with a lighter central rib. In the spring, white flowers adorn the bush. In the fall, the leaves turn orange-red.

Low-maintenance dwarf abelias need moderate amounts of water and full sun or partial shade. They thrive in zones 4-9.

Dwarf Fountain Grass

	botanical name Cenchrus alopecuroides
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-4′
	hardiness zones 5-9

The fluffy dwarf fountain grass has long, wispy arches of green stems during the spring and summer, which turn brown in the fall. The grass has white flowers on its tips, and you can expect it to sprawl up to two feet wide. Let the seed heads remain on the plant in winter to feed foraging birds and add interest to the cold season garden.

Dwarf fountain grass is self-sufficient, requiring little water and fertilizer. However, it needs to be in full sun to thrive. Dwarf fountain grass flourishes in USDA Zones 5-9.

Lobelia

	botanical name Lobelia erinus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-18″
	hardiness zones 2-11

If you’re looking for short perennials with many tiny flowers, lobelia is an excellent choice for your garden edge or border. Its flowers come in brilliant blues and lilacs, although you can also choose white. The plant grows four to 18 inches tall.

Lobelia prefers full sun to semi-shade. It likes slightly acidic soil that’s moist and well-draining. Dwarf lobelia grows in zones 2-10.

Dwarf New England Aster

	botanical name Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3′
	hardiness zones 4-8

The late summer and fall are when dwarf New England asters offer their stunning purple flowers. Traditionally a wildflower, the dwarf version of this plant grows between 12 to 36 inches tall.

From clay to sand, the dwarf New England aster can thrive. They prefer full sun and an average amount of soil moisture. This short perennial grows in zones 4-8.

Dwarf Plumbago

	botanical name Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-8″
	hardiness zones 5-9

Dwarf plumbagos are fast-growing plants with deep green leaves and spiral-like stems, and they produce richly colored blue flowers in the summer to early fall. Because of their spreading nature, this is an ideal short perennial for large border areas.

You can plant dwarf plumbago in full or partial sun. They need water at least once per week and even more than that in hot conditions. The dwarf plumbago requires zones 5-9.

Dwarf Purple Coneflower

	botanical name Echinacea purpurea
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12-18″
	hardiness zones 3-9

The beautiful pink flowers with a chocolate-colored central cone attract gardeners to the dwarf purple coneflower. Although its flowers grow up to three inches in diameter, the plant itself only grows up to 18 inches tall.

You’ll need to plant your dwarf purple coneflower in sandy, chalky, or loam-like soils. They prefer full sun or partial shade in hot climates, with any kind of soil pH. Dwarf purple coneflowers grow in USDA zones 3-9.

Eastern Pasque Flower

	botanical name Pulsatilla patens
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3″-1′
	hardiness zones 3-7

The Eastern pasque flower is the provincial flower of Manitoba, Canada, and for a good reason—its large buttercup-like flowers draw heads with their light purple to blue hue and a deep yellow center.

These early spring plants thrive in grassland-like conditions. They should have lots of sun and dry conditions. Eastern pasque flowers prefer zones 4-7.

European Wild Ginger

	botanical name Asarum europaeum
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 6″
	hardiness zones 4-8

The tropical-like European wild ginger has gorgeous round, glossy leaves with a three-inch diameter. You shouldn’t get this six-inch-high perennial for its flowers, for they bloom for a short time in the late spring, but its leaves cover the white buds.

Your European wild ginger will need lots of shade and prefers rich soil. Make sure they have plenty of water but that their slightly acidic soil is well-draining. European wild ginger grows in zones 4-8.

Foamflower

	botanical name Tiarella cordifolia
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 5-12″
	hardiness zones 3-8

The foamflower has its origins as a wild species and is among the best short perennials for fast-growing and low-lying foliage. These perennials create white blooms and have heart-shaped deep green leaves. Stalks rise from the earth bearing star-looking flowers in racemes.

Foamflowers need lots of shade and moist, preferably humusy soil. They need neutral or acidic soil with a decent amount of organic material. Foamflowers grow in zones 4-9.

Garden Violet

	botanical name Viola odorata
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 4-6″
	hardiness zones 4-9

Garden violets are an excellent choice if you want to create a beautiful garden edge or flower border while having a fragrance that will wow you every time you step out your door. They grow up to six inches tall and have several different flower colors, from dark blue to pale rose.

The low-maintenance garden violets can handle full or partial sunlight. It thrives in any soil pH, and it will quickly spread on its own. Garden Violets grow in USDA Zones 4-9.

Happy Face Cinquefoil

	botanical name Dasiphora fruticosa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3′
	hardiness zones 2-7

The bushy short perennial happy face cinquefoil makes for a colorful garden border thanks to its yellow flowers. It grows so many flowers that it often blocks the plant’s small green leaves. Best of all, the flowers remain from late spring until the first frost.

Small happy face cinquefoils grow only three feet tall and require little maintenance. They hold up well in drought and salty conditions and can handle any soil pH level. Happy Face Cinquefoils thrive in zones 2-7.

Hardy Geranium

	botanical name Geranium spp.
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 6-12″
	hardiness zones 4-8

Bursting with colorful pink, magenta, blue, or white one-inch flowers, the hardy geranium will create a dense carpet in the area where you plant it. The plant often blooms a few times between mid-summer and fall.

The six to 12-inch hardy geranium requires full sun or partial shade. It enjoys a medium amount of watering. Hardy geraniums grow in zones 4-8.

Heucherella

	botanical name x Heucherella
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 6-18″
	hardiness zones 4-11

If pretty leaves make you swoon as much as beautiful flowers, you’ll appreciate heucherella’s multi-colored green, red, and orange-colored foliage. The leaves have a heart shape and do an excellent job of filling borders, thanks to their fast-growing nature.

Huecherella’s roots are sensitive to too much moisture, so ensure you plant them in an area away from standing water. On the other hand, it appreciates consistently moist soil. Give yours partial to full shade. Huecherella grows best in zones 4-11.

Hostas

	botanical name Hosta
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 6-36″
	hardiness zones 3-9

The leafy hosta offers over 3,000 cultivars within its species. You can choose from solid grey to green leaves or leaves with a white outline. In either case, large stalks grow from this bush, producing flowers in the summer.

Aside from crown rot from poorly draining soil, it’s hard to destroy a hosta. The amount of sun your plant needs will vary according to its leaf color—the darker its leaves, the more shade it requires. Hostas grow in zones 3-9.

Irish Moss

	botanical name Sagina subulata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2″
	hardiness zones 4-8

If you’re looking for short perennials for your garden border that resemble grass but with a fancier appearance, Irish moss is a great choice. It has stringy leaves that weave together. Small five-petal white flowers appear in the spring and summer.

Irish moss is slow-growing, so it’s crucial to maximize its success by giving it full or partial sun in sandy or loamy soil. In areas with high heat, it will die back in extremes. This one is best grown in zones 4-8.

Japanese Aster

	botanical name Kalimeris incisa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-18″
	hardiness zones 5-9

The Japanese aster resembles mini daisies with its 12 to 18-inch tall bushy growth. Thick groups of white flowers with yellow centers protrude from the plant’s thin, long leaves on individual stalks. They have the appearance of a chamomile, but not the same herbal benefits.

You should plant Japanese asters in full sun since they won’t flower as much if they’re in partial shade. Japanese asters require little watering, as they handle drought well. They do best in zones 5-9.

Japanese Forest Grass

	botanical name Hakonechloa macra
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 18″
	hardiness zones 5-9

Japanese forest grass resembles a waterfall, with its long, thin green and white striped leaves cascading over one another. In the fall, its leaves turn an orangish-bronze color.

You should offer your Japanese forest grass full or partial shade with lots of soil moisture. It’s a slow-growing grass, so it’ll take time for it to reach its 18-inch tall adult height. Japanese forest grass grows best in zones 5-9.

Japanese Onion

	botanical name Allium thunbergii
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2′
	hardiness zones 7-10

If you love the thought of having a garden edge that you can occasionally pick to eat onions, the Japanese onion is an excellent option. Native to central China, the Japanese onion has long, thick green leaves that protrude from a bulb and lovely nodding pinkish purple flowers.

Japanese onions love deep, organic-rich soil with a medium amount of water. They do well in subtropical climates with full sun. The Japanese onion thrives in zones 7-10.

Lady’s Mantle

	botanical name Alchemilla mollis
	sun requirements Full sun to full shade
	height 12-18″
	hardiness zones 3-8

Although the lady’s mantle produces yellow clusters of flowers in the late spring, it’s this plant’s leaves that make it such a great contender for short perennial garden borders. The mounding plant has wide, round leaves with attractive points.

The lady’s mantle grows 12 to 18 inches tall in full or partial shade. It likes acidic or neutral soil ranging from 5.5 to 7. It grows in zones 3-8.

Lamb’s Ear

	botanical name Stachys byzantina
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-18″
	hardiness zones 4-9

Lamb’s ear will leave any visitor crouching down to touch it, with its soft, hairy texture that covers its blue-green leaves. The fast-growing plant is famous for its leaves, but at times, large 12 to 18-inch spikes will come out of it, producing purple flowers. These can be invasive in certain parts of the US, so check with your local extension office before planting.

You should plant lamb’s ear in full or partial sun with soil ranging from a pH of 6.0 to 8.0. It prefers well-draining soil and holds up well in dry conditions. Lamb’s ear grows in zones 4-9.

Largeleaf Brunnera

	botanical name Brunnera macrophylla
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 12-18″
	hardiness zones 3-8

The largeleaf brunnera is a stunner, with its heart-shaped green leaves and tiny blue centers that sit on top of thin steps during the spring. It’ll take some time for largeleaf brunneras to fill your garden border space. But once it does, it’ll provide a thick ground cover.

You can plant largeleaf brunneras in any amount (or lack thereof) of sunlight. They can also grow in just about any pH, but they prefer well-draining soil with a medium amount of water. Largeleaf brunneras grow in zones 3-8.

Lavender

	botanical name Lavandula angustifolia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2′
	hardiness zones 5-9

Did you know that lavender is in the mint family? The Mediterranean native plant offers garden borders a visual and sensory experience with its clump of purple flowers and fragrant smell.

Lavender requires dry and well-draining conditions with alkaline soil. The smallest varieties grow two-feet tall in full sun and four feet wide. Keep in mind that this plant is toxic to pets. Lavender grows in zones 5-9.

Perennial Pinks

	botanical name Dianthus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-36″
	hardiness zones 4-9

Perennial pinks are a group of low-growing flowers with a vibrant fragrance and beautiful blooms ranging in shades of pink and white. Perennial pinks grow six to 36 inches tall. Their flowers typically stay on the plant from May to October.

You should plant your perennial pinks along garden edges that receive a minimum of six hours of sunlight. They prefer nutrient-rich alkaline soil. Perennial pinks grow in zones 3-9.

Lungwort

	botanical name Pulmonaria spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 18″
	hardiness zones 3-8

Lungwort has a double meaning—it has medicinal properties to treat lung issues, and its leaves have a lung-like shape. As an early blooming plant, lungwort is ideal as a garden border. It grows up to 18 inches tall and attracts hummingbirds as well as other pollinators.

Consider planting Lungwort in areas that receive partial or full sun. It thrives in a range of pH levels, but you should ensure the soil remains moist. Lungwort grows in zones 3-8.

Monkey Grass

	botanical name Liriope muscari
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 12-18″
	hardiness zones 5-10

Monkey grass appropriately has the nickname “border grass.” It has narrow, deep green leaves that cascade out to the side. In the center, many stalks grow above the grass, boasting a series of tiny violet, white, or pink flowers. This plant is known to be aggressive in smaller areas and can invade natural landscapes.

Ideally, you should use monkey grass in challenging garden borders, such as those along hills. Monkey grass can grow in just about any soil and sunlight condition, although you should prune it annually. It grows in zones 5-10.

Mophead Hydrangea

	botanical name Hydrangea macrophylla
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 3-6′
	hardiness zones 6-11

The beautiful mophead hydrangea offers a colorful garden border, with its massive flower clusters ranging from blue to pink to white. You can expect them to bloom in the late spring or early summer and remain through the fall, where they dry and stay on the branch.

You should give your mophead hydrangeas one inch of water weekly, and these plants prefer shade and rich soil. Mophead hydrangeas grow well in zones 6-11.

Pigsqueak

	botanical name Bergenia purpurascens
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 1-1.5′
	hardiness zones 4-8

You guessed it—pigsqueaks are among the pink-colored short perennials you can choose from for your garden edge. They have large dark green glossy leaves, making them an attractive plant even when the flowers aren’t in bloom.

Pigsqueaks prefer shade or partial shade in a wide range of soil pH. They also need soil with high moisture retention. Pigsqueaks grow in zones 4-9.

Pussytoes

	botanical name Antennaria plantaginifolia
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6″-1′
	hardiness zones 3-8

The most attractive quality about pussytoes is their leaves, which have a velvety feel and grow along the ground. They do flower in the spring, with the stalks the white or pink flowers sit on growing as high as one foot.

These plants prefer full or partial sunlight and don’t need lots of watering—medium-dry to dry soil is ideal. Pussytoes grow in zones 3-8.

Roman Chamomile

	botanical name Chamaemelum nobile
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-6″
	hardiness zones 4-9

Roman chamomile is a short evergreen perennial growing three to six inches tall. It produces an inviting aroma and white flowers with yellow centers from the summer to early fall. You can use its dried flowers to make homemade chamomile tea.

Full sun or partial shade is best for growing chamomile as a garden border. It likes a medium amount of water. Roman chamomile grows in zones 4-9.

Rose Vervain

	botanical name Verbena canadensis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10-18″
	hardiness zones 6-10

The rose vervain doesn’t resemble the looks of a rose, but it has fragrant rose-pink-colored flowers with five petals. Often, rose vervain has hairy and small leaves with many notches around its edges.

Rose vervains grow up to ten inches high and require a partly shaded environment. They excel in sandy, rocky, and acidic soil. Grow these in zones 6-10.

Meadow Sage

	botanical name Salvia nemorosa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3′
	hardiness zones 4-8

The brilliant flower spikes and velvety leaves of meadow sage make it an attractive edging. Its clumping nature makes it easy to arrange in a a pleasing design.

Salvia plants are excellent for growing in hot, dry areas as they have a high drought tolerance. They don’t need nutrient-rich soil, and you can opt to prune their woody stems. this salvia grows well in zones 3-8.

Scotch Moss

	botanical name Sabulina verna
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2″
	hardiness zones 6-7

Scotch moss is technically an evergreen, not moss. However, its one to two-inch high and ten-inch wide foliage can look like moss from afar. In the late spring and summer, it blooms with small white flowers.

You should plant Scotch moss in nutrient-dense soil. It prefers a pH of 5.6 to 7.5 and full or partial sunlight. Scotch moss thrives in zones 6-7.

Sedge

	botanical name Carex pensylvanica
	sun requirements Full sun to full shade
	height 8″
	hardiness zones 3-8

Sedge is a grassy plant ideal for covering large areas as garden edges. It has thick, arching blades that clump together, forming an adult height of around eight inches. Flowers appear in the late spring, but it’s the leafy foliage that draws attention. It can be aggressive outside its native range, so ensure you plant it somewhere it’s easy to access and maintenance.

Loose loam and dry or medium-wet soil are ideal for sedge. It grows best under trees, so full or partial shade is best. Sedge grows well in zones 3-8.

Shasta Daisy

	botanical name Leucanthemum x superbum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6″-3′
	hardiness zones 5-9

Shasta Daisy looks similar to how you’d expect it, with attractive white flowers and a yellow center. But the advantage of this daisy variety is that the smallest variety grows up to only nine inches. Most can top out at three feet.

Plant Shasta Daisies in loamy soil with a neutral pH. You can expect them to bloom in the spring or summer and to have flowers until the fall. Shasta Daisies grow in zones 5-9.

Snowdrop Anemone

	botanical name Anemone Sylvestris
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 1-2′
	hardiness zones 4-8

Snowdrop anemones have a snowflake-like look, with white flowers and petals gently turned upward. It’s a fast-growing plant with underground stems sparking new growth.

You’ll need to ensure your snowdrop anemones have access to lots of water and shade. Furthermore, they need loose soil to spread their roots freely. Snowdrop anemones grow in zones 4-8.

Spotted Deadnettle

	botanical name Lamium maculatum
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 3-9″
	hardiness zones 3-8

The vibrant spotted deadnettle is an evergreen in warm climates and semi-evergreen in cooler climates. They have attractive dark green leaves that splay out into three triangles. They offer delicate pink, purple, white, or mauve-colored flowers from May to July.

Spotted deadnettles grow three to 12 inches tall if you keep them in full or partial shade and plant them in acidic soil. They enjoy well-drained soil and average watering. Spotted deadnettles grow in zones 3-8.

Stokes Aster

	botanical name Stokesia laevis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2′
	hardiness zones 5-9

Stokes asters make for a perfect garden border if you’re interested in a plant with unique, intricate flowers. Their purple, pink, and yellow petals, among others, create a gorgeous landscape above their leafy greenery.

You should plant stokes asters in a sunny area in a cool climate. They don’t need tons of water, as they hold up well in droughts, but you should offer them slightly acidic soil. Stokes asters grow in zones 5-9.

Stonecrop

	botanical name Sedum spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2′
	hardiness zones 3-10

Many varieties of stonecrop exist, so you’ll want to ensure that you purchase a shorter version. Once you do, you’ll get to enjoy this plant’s radial flowers that appear later in the season. It grows at a moderate pace, and its clumping nature makes for a unique border.

Stonecrops, or sedum plants, need full or partial sunlight. They thrive in acidic or neutral soil, and you can mix and match different color stonecrops to create a visually attractive border. Stonecrops grow in USDA Zones 3-10.

Toad Lily

	botanical name Tricyrtis hirta
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 18-24″
	hardiness zones 4-8

Toad lilies will steal the show of your garden border, for the plant’s axels produce vibrantly colored flowers with different colored spots. In addition, these plants have arching stems and will remain small if they have access to little water.

You should aim to plant your toad lilies in hotter environments. They’re a delicate plant, so you should keep them away from wind-prone areas. Toad Lilies grow in zones 4-8.

Threadleaf Coreopsis

	botanical name Coreopsis verticillata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3′
	hardiness zones 3-9

You’ll get double your money for using the threadleaf coreopsis as a garden border. Its leaves create a beautiful bush appearance and have pretty pale yellow flower clusters. The flowers bloom in the early summer and remain through September.

Threadleaf Coreopsis has specific growing requirements. It must have well-draining soil. The Threadleaf Coreopsis prefers zones 3-9.

Veronica Speedwell

	botanical name Veronica spicata
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3′
	hardiness zones 3-8

Rising up from wispy, leafy mounds, the veronica speedwell boasts large spikes bearing small star-like flowers. Together, it makes the plant look like it has huge spiky flowers from afar. You can purchase speedwell varieties that grow as short as six inches but most are two to three feet tall.

You should plant Veronica Speedwell in well-drained soil with a neutral pH. Their pink, white, or purple-blue flowers will arrive in the summer if they have full sun. Veronica speedwell thrives in zones 3-8.

Vervain

	botanical name Verbena officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1′
	hardiness zones 4-9

The popular herb Vervain grows one foot or taller and produces small, deep purple flowers emerging from several stalks clumped together. The flowers appear at different times, making this an artsy-looking plant.

Vervains love to spread, and they’ll do so if they have full or partial sun. You should ensure they have well-draining and fertilized soil. Vervain grows in zones 4-9.

Winecup

	botanical name Callirhoe involucrata
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6″-1′
	hardiness zones 4-8

Winecup is a wildflower that—you guessed it—looks like a cup of wine thanks to its upward turning petals and deep pinkish-red color. These are excellent short perennials for your garden border, given that they have vine-like stems that create a mat ground covering.

You’ll need to give your winecups plenty of access to full sunlight. They enjoy sandy soil but can withstand clay soil. Winecups prefer zones 4-8.

Woolly Yarrow

	botanical name Achillea Tomentosa
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-8″
	hardiness zones 2-9

The woolly yarrow boasts a bushy appearance with both its leaves and flowers. It blooms in the spring, keeping its dense yellow clusters through summer. It fills in nicely, making it an excellent choice for a garden edge.

Woolly yarrow are low-maintenance plants that prefer sandy soil and little water. There’s little need to fertilize them, but you should cut the plant to its basal leaves after flowering if you want it to bloom in the fall. Wolly yarrow grows in zones 2-9.