Tiles, Slab & Cut Stone

• Scott Street San Francisco, National Register of Hisotrical Places
  
  Terracotta tiles laid in intricate bias patterns, along with linear terracotta decorative coping with a rope, scalloped or fleur-de-lis or acanthus leaf motif edge, are typical examples of the Victorian garden aesthetic and were used as edging borders on lawn. Cut stone tiles and slabs in varying thicknesses were also used as a clean dividing line between lawn and hardscape or other plant materials and beds.
  
  

Boxwood & Green Shrub Edging

• Dirleton Castle, Scotland: West garden, laid out from Victorian plan of 1865
  
  Among the many hardy materials used to edge lawns during the Victorian period, dwarf boxwood was the most popular plant material for this purpose, known botanically as Buxus sempervirens Suffruticosa. It is a dense, low-growing, small-leafed evergreen shrub that will perform in a range of climates and is fairly disease and insect resistant. It also takes well to shearing and shaping in the spring so that both simple and complex edging shapes can be created out of it.
  
  

Gravel & Stone Edging

• Owing to its ability to create a crisp but arcing or rounded edge, pea gravel or crushed stone was often used immediately next to lawn without any other visible material in between the two. This provided good visual contrast between the vivid green of the lawn and the subtle brown and grey hues of the stone or gravel. This format was also useful to abut pathways, walkways and driveways with expanses of lawn.