Garden borders are prime real estate. They provide the landscape with structure, balance, and visual interest. It’s natural to consider this space for flowering annuals. However, short perennial plants can do the job just as well, and they improve the soil structure while they do it.
Whether it’s edging a charming stone path, or creating boundaries between flower beds, borders create a polished look. There is some important work they do below the ground, as well.
The lack of disturbance from planting new annuals once or twice a year is great for your soil integrity. They protect against erosion and fix carbon in the soil. Let’s look at some wonderful, short perennials that work beautifully at the front of the border.
Sweet Alyssum
Oriental Nights Sweet Alyssum Seeds
Forget-Me-Not
Victoria Pink Forget-Me-Not Seeds
Gaillardia
Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Goblin’ Seeds
Bedding Begonia ‘Pink Wax’
If you live in a warm climate area, bedding begonias are perfect for the job of bordering your beds. Begonias garner attention with their brightly colored, semi-succulent leaves, and cheerful flowers. They have good drought resistance and are relatively pest-free. Rex begonias also make a great border plant, as they stay close to the ground.
‘Pink Wax’ only reaches about one foot tall at maturity. It has great versatility in terms of exposure and can thrive in sun or shade. However, it will bloom best in full exposure. Its versatility means you can use it in different locations to create a cohesive appearance.
Dianthus ‘Firewitch’
Dianthus are easy to care for and reliably perennial in most climates. Some types can grow in Zone 10, but those summers are too hot for others. You may know these by their common name, pinks. We also know these flowers as carnations, though the ones given that moniker are usually larger, florist types.
‘Firewitch’ has a fierce name but is a sweet little perennial. Blue-green, grass-like foliage forms a mat that remains evergreen in most climates. The blooms are small and bright pink, with a sweet and spicy scent similar to cloves.
Creeping Phlox ‘Scarlet Flame’
There are many types of phlox. Some are tall and work great in cut flower beds. Creeping phlox is a low-growing species that makes an excellent border. At only four to six inches tall, this one won’t obscure the view of what lies behind it.
‘Scarlet Flame’ has hot pink, star-shaped flowers and blooms in the spring. Phlox likes well-drained soil and tolerates poor soil well. Once established it is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
English Daisy ‘Tasso Strawberries and Cream’
English daisies are perfect for the border. Technically, they are not perennials but biennials. This means that they live for two years. Fortunately, English daisies reseed themselves, so once you plant them, they are likely to stick around. They are adorable and compact and clock in at just four to six inches.
‘Tasso Strawberries and Cream’ has large flowers compared to the small size of the plant. The double pompoms are an ombre of pink, starting dark in the center and fading to white outside. The foliage is broad, and grows in a neat rosette, staying tidy throughout the season.
Oxalis ‘Molten Lava’
Oxalis is another warm climate perennial with short stature and easygoing growth for the front border. Sometimes referred to as false shamrock, the two plants have a similar appearance. They are long-blooming and need afternoon shade to look their best. More light will equate to better flowering, but the flowers are not necessarily the focal point.
‘Molten Lava’ is a plant that you will covet for its stunning foliage. Small, heart-shaped leaves appear in groupings of four, just like a four-leaf clover! The leaves are shades of chartreuse and orange with bits of yellow and red mixed in.
Coneflower ‘Tweety’
Coneflowers are great in the garden for their attractive foliage, fun spiky flowers, and ability to draw pollinators. Some standard varieties are a bit tall for the border, but not this wonderful dwarf coneflower. At only eight inches at maturity, these guys are cute and compact.
In addition to its diminutive size, this variety has bright yellow petals that surround its large central disk. The spiky center is green in the center and deepens to orange at the edges. They are large compared to the overall size.
Coral Bells ‘Caramel’
Coral bells are a great addition to garden beds in more shaded areas. They grow in partial to full shade, although some exposure will promote flowering. Even without blooming, the attractive foliage creates a beautiful border.
‘Caramel’ is an unusual variety of coral bells. There are many with leaves in shades of red and purple, but few with the light, caramel color that this one sports. The leaves are lighter on top with more of a pinkish hue underneath. It’s a stunner!
Forget-Me-Not ‘Victoria Pink’
Another surprisingly colored perennial, this forget-me-not lacks the signature blue blooms common to the genus. Rather, ‘Victoria Pink’ has, you guessed it, pink flowers! Forget-me-nots are short-lived perennials that are sometimes grown as biennials in front yards and border beds. They reseed themselves freely. This is why they’re classed as invasive in parts of North America.
Forget-me-nots are rabbit and deer-resistant, and drought-tolerant in partial shade. Afternoon shade and morning exposure is preferable. Cut off the spent blooms before they go to seed if you want to control the spread. They can wander a bit if left to their own devices.
Blanket Flower ‘Goblin’
If you’re looking for low-maintenance and drought-resistant, blanket flowers are perfect. These major bloomers are heat tolerant, salt tolerant, and great for feeding and attracting pollinators. It’s good to divide these every two to three years to keep them healthy and long-lasting.
The name ‘Goblin’ doesn’t do justice to this gaillardia. It’s a slightly shorter-than-average variety and very floriferous. The blooming season is from early summer through fall. The blooms are bright red with a red-speckled yellow eye and yellow around the perimeter of the petals.
Vinca ‘Variegata’
Before I get started, if you live in California, this one is not for you. It’s considered invasive there. Elsewhere, it is a spreading plant, but it’s also possible to keep it under control. Here in Zone 9, it’s short-lived, making it easier to control.
‘Variegata’ is a variegated vinca (say that three times fast) with beautiful periwinkle flowers. Vinca is sometimes given the nickname periwinkle for the color of its blooms. It is easy to grow from seeds or starts, and low-maintenance once established.
Hosta ‘Mighty Mouse’
If you prefer a green border, hostas are wonderful and reliable. Their large leaves have a glossy finish and grow in neat but loose rosettes. Hostas have a tropical look, but they are surprisingly cold-tolerant.
‘Mighty Mouse’ is a dwarf variety with striking, variegated leaves. The foliage is blue-green with irregular, pale yellow margins. It reaches about 12 inches tall over the growing season, just right!
Candytuft ‘Purple Rain’
Candytuft is a sweet, short perennial sub-shrub ideal for front borders. It’s versatile in many ways, tolerating a range of climates and soil types. If you live in a humid climate, this might be one to skip because that is the exception to its tolerance.
This flowering sub-shrub forms a rounded mound about one foot tall and wide. It makes an excellent border plant and is relatively long-lived (up to 10 years). “Purple Rain’ is a gorgeous variety, but then, one would expect no less from a flower inspired by the artist himself.
Perennial Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’
Perennial or hardy geraniums are tough and adaptable. They tolerate a wide range of climates and are most heat tolerant when they get some afternoon shade. Their long blooming habit makes them a valuable member of any flower bed.
When it comes to long bloom periods, ‘Johnson’s Blue’ is a champion. It blooms from spring through fall, and its foliage changes in the fall, as well. The green leaves turn to hues of orange and red.
Ice Plant ‘Jewel of Desert Grenade’
Ice plants are great, colorful little members of the garden. Their prolific flowering habit and small stature make them ideal for the border or along a walkway. They have semi-succulent foliage that remains evergreen, and for most of the growing season, they flower freely.
‘Jewel of the Desert Grenade’ is loud and flashy with electric magenta blooms. The petals are white toward the center making them even more showy and brilliant. Make sure this one has excellent drainage to avoid root rot.
Sedum ‘Stewed Rhubarb Mountain’
If you’re gardening in a dry climate, sedum is a wonderful succulent that flowers beautifully in late summer. It pairs well with a gravel walkway, where it will have excellent drainage. Give it plenty of light for the most flowers.
‘Stewed Rhubarb Mountain’ has a big name, and it blooms big, too! The foliage is green and rimmed with purple. The blooms are pink, purple, and white, borne in rounded clusters.
Alyssum ‘Oriental Nights’
Alyssum is an absolute delight! This mat-forming perennial has a sweet fragrance that perfumes the air over a long growing season. It’s easy to grow and has tasty flowers that you can add to cookies or salads.
Pollinators love alyssum, and bees especially love purple varieties. ‘Oriental Nights’ meets that requirement. Clusters of small blossoms in shades of lavender and purple cover this short perennial for a long portion of the year, adding charm to the front border of your home.
Bellflower ‘Rapido Blue’
Bellflowers are pretty and petite. They form small mounds of toothy, bright green foliage, reaching about seven inches tall. They make a great, easy, versatile border in a garden. Their textured leaves make a nice contrast to smooth leaf neighbors.
‘Rapido Blue’ has delightful, small, bell-shaped flowers that look up at the sky. It likes moist, well-drained soil and full sun in cooler climates. In warm climates, afternoon shade is ideal.
Verbena ‘Homestead Purple’
Looking for a border plant for the pollinator patch? Verbena is the perfect short perennial for planting in front border beds! The pollinators adore it, and it’s easy for you to tend to. Verbena prefers well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant.
‘Homestead Purple’ is a low grower, reaching only one foot tall at most. The rounded clusters of flowers are a gorgeous shade of violet and bloom from spring to fall. It’s also heat—and salt-tolerant, so it works well in coastal gardens.
Lilyturf ‘Silver Midget’
If you like a grassy look, lilyturf is wonderful. This incredibly versatile and tolerant plant is a cinch to care for. I have a ton of this in my borders, and I don’t have to touch it except thin it out every few years. It’s fine in poor soil, sand, clay, and salty environments. The only thing it won’t stand for is ‘wet feet’.
Most varieties are a bit taller. ‘Silver Midget’ is a shorter perennial perfect for the front of a landscape border. The leaves tend to arch toward the ground more than other types. Evergreen, you can cut the foliage back in winter to get a fuller look in the following year.
Creeping Thyme ‘Spicy Orange’
Creeping thyme makes a beautiful border, and it looks great as a ground cover, too. It tolerates light foot traffic and releases a delightfully herbaceous aroma when disturbed. Fine, delicate foliage is surprisingly sturdy and highly pest-resistant. It is evergreen, keeping the garden tidy all year.
‘Spicy Orange’ doesn’t have orange flowers; they are soft pink on purple stems. The name comes from the strong, spicy, and citrusy fragrance. It tolerates partial shade but blooms best with more exposure.
Sedge ‘Bunny Blue’
Even shade gardens deserve nice borders. Sedges are perfect for these spots. They grow well in partial and full shade and have a polished, grassy appearance. Sedge grass is semi-evergreen to evergreen, depending on the climate. Unlike many shade plants, it is heat and drought-tolerant.
