When people think of “landscaping,” they often picture heavy machinery and concrete. But “soft” landscaping is where the soul of a garden lives. It is the art of using living elements—grass, plants, shrubs, and trees—to create a functional and beautiful environment. At Steve’s Turfing, I believe your new lawn shouldn’t exist in isolation. To get that professional “101” look, you need to pair your turf with borders that complement its texture, colour, and purpose.
Operating across Newton Abbot and South Devon, I’ve seen how the right border can turn a simple patch of grass into a complete outdoor sanctuary.
Define the Purpose of Your Perimeter
Before we pick up a shovel, we need to ask what you want your borders to do. In the Devon trade, we generally categorise borders into three types:
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The Privacy Screen: If your garden in Exeter or Plymouth is overlooked, we pair your turf with taller, soft-foliage shrubs like Laurel or Red Robin. These provide a lush, green wall that muffles noise and blocks prying eyes without the harshness of a tall fence.
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The Pollinator Path: For those opting for a Clover-Mix Lawn, we design borders filled with Lavender, Verbena, and Foxgloves. This creates a seamless “wildlife corridor” where bees can move from the clover flowers to the border plants.
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The Architectural Frame: For a modern new-build, we use clean lines and structural plants like ornamental grasses or Box hedging. This gives the lawn a crisp, “designed” feel that stays neat all year round.
Colour Theory for Your Turf
The green of a new lawn is a powerful “neutral” in design, but different turf varieties have different hues.
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Premium Ryegrass often has a deep, emerald shine. It looks spectacular when paired with “cool” colours—whites, blues, and silver-foliage plants.
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Clover Blends have a softer, slightly more “forest green” matte finish. These look best when paired with vibrant “warm” colours like oranges, yellows, and deep reds to create a sun-drenched, meadow-like feel.
The “Hard Graft” of Border Integration
A common mistake in DIY landscaping is simply digging a hole in the grass and dropping a plant in. That’s a recipe for a struggling garden. When I manage a soft landscaping project, the “hard graft” goes into the transition zone.
We ensure the soil in your borders is treated with the same respect as the soil under your turf. We incorporate organic-rich Devon topsoil and ensure that the drainage we’ve installed for the lawn extends to the flower beds. This prevents water from “pooling” at the edge of the grass, which can lead to root rot in your expensive new shrubs.
Choosing “Right Plant, Right Place”
My 25 years in the Devon trade have taught me that our local microclimates matter.
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Coastal Gardens: In Plymouth, we choose salt-tolerant plants like Sea Thrift or Hebes to stand alongside our coastal-ready turf.
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Shaded Gardens: In north-facing plots, we pair our shade-tolerant turf with Hostas, Ferns, and Hydrangeas that thrive in the cooler, damper corners of the garden.
The Finishing Touch: Mulching
Once the turf is laid and the borders are planted, we finish the look with a high-quality bark mulch. Not only does this look incredibly professional—providing a dark contrast that makes the green of the grass “pop”—but it also suppresses weeds and retains moisture. It’s the final step in ensuring your soft landscaping is as low-maintenance as it is beautiful.
Your garden should be a cohesive space where the lawn and the borders talk to each other. By planning them together, we create a balanced, sustainable environment that adds real value to your home.
Would you like me to recommend a plant list that specifically matches the soil type and light levels we find in your part of Devon?