• Keep your flowers inside your flower bed by adding a simple edger.yellow pansy flowers image by alri from Fotolia.com
  
  Whether your yard is small or large, adding a flower bed adds color and interest to your landscaping. Flower bed design varies by the type of flower bed and the location. Plant whatever you'd like in your flower beds, but keep sunlight and water in mind while you choose a location.
  
  

Add An Edge

• If you want to create a simple look with little work, dig a flower bed and add a simple edger. Use a rope or hose to mark off your initial flower bed area. Then, dig up your flower bed. For proper plant growth, you'll want to dig at least 6 inches deep and turn the soil. When you're done, mark the edge of your flower bed with something permanent to keep your plants from getting mowed down. If you're looking for something basic, try a simple strip edger made of plastic or metal. For a more rustic style, edge your flower bed with wood boards or timbers, or for a longer lasting look that won't rot, use stones to edge your flower beds. For a personalized look, create an edger all your own from a material of your choice.
  
  

Raise It Up

• If drainage is an issue where you are planning your garden, create a raised bed to keep your plants from getting too much water. Raised flower beds are built on top of the ground, above ground level. Construct a raised bed from one of a variety of materials, from masonry stones to basic wood boards. For a rustic look, create your raised bed using old railroad ties or timber logs. Remember, since raised beds are not built into the earth, you'll have to find extra soil to fill up your flower beds.
  
  

Terrace It

• If you have a steep hill or slope that you don't know what to do with in your landscape, create a terrace. A terrace is a series of raised beds, constructed on a slope. Terraced flower beds, when finished, look like stair steps. The way the terrace is constructed helps with drainage and erosion issues. You can construct terraced flower beds from stone or wood. Choose substantial materials, so your terrace will stay stable.
  
  

Create Shape

• Flower beds in a landscape don't have to be squares or rectangles. Get creative and make flower beds in unusual shapes in your yard. If you're the patriotic type, create a stars-and-stripes flower bed, using simple plastic or metal edging. For a simpler project, build a round or oval flower bed with a stone border.