Question
Hello, Mark. Hope you're having a great weekend! We are located in Zone 5 and have a large shady garden under a group of pine trees consisting of primarily hosta and ferns varieties. I will be installing a concrete pathway winding through the area by using a 2 ft. x 2 ft. plastic template to give the path the appearance of a stone path. I am looking for a plant variety in the 6 in. to 12 in. height range to line the edges of the entire path. Would you be kind enough to offer any suggestions for the edging of my shade garden path in Zone 5? Thanks so much and take care!

Answer
Hello,

Traditional plants for such a purpose would include:

astilbe

perrenial cornflower

siberian wallflower

coreopsis

fringed bleeding heart

mist flower

hemerocalllis middendorfi

herchera angguinea

hosta

herbaceous spirea

papaver nudicaule

platycodon mariesi

centaurea

daylily

coralbell

plantainlily

sea lavender

iceland poppy

balloon flower


Not all of these plants grow strictly to 1 foot high but limiting yourself to that height would substantially narrow the list. The above listed plants do not grow over 2 feet high. Below is a list of herbs that can be used for a border. These herbs are either edible or have medicinal value:

thyme

sage

garlic chives

bee balm

circle onion

chrysanthemum

catnip

chamomile

marjoram

oregano

burnet

winter savory


The entire list consists of perrenials. Hope this helps. Good luck.


Mark Harshman


For more comprehensive help check out my website at:

http://www.prestoexperts.com/expert/markland