A straight edging of just one variety, especially if the plantings border both sides of a walk, will tend to increase the apparent length. On the other hand, if taller plants toward the front break up the border, it will tend to shorten the length. For this front edging some of the evergreens may be used. It is suitable only toward the Southern portion of t4e country. One of the most satisfactory plants is Teucrium chamaedrys, which may be kept sheared to six or eight inches.
Many gardeners use the annual sweet alyssum for edging.
Depending on the width of the border, these edging plants, if not planted in one long straight line of one variety, are planted in masses of about a foot wide and two or three feet long.