How can I incorporate bricks and rocks in my flower garden?

What if... you try the bricks laying down flat with big sides out, small sides pointed in towards your plants. Then the lawnmower should be able to be run on top of it and keep the husband happy. Then, place the rocks in between the plants and put brown rubber mulch to fill in all around the plants up to the bricks. You never need to replace rubber mulch, it stays a nice dark brown color, and stays put. Good luck!

Yes, indeed, we pick our battles and you are right to not battle over this. The wedge 'bricks' are meant to lay flat with the rough side out. If you fit them together, they will form a nice curve around your flower bed as Donna suggested above. I personally like rocks in my garden - right against the edge or in around the plants. They form focal points where the greenery doesn't fill in - like around your wonderful allium and iris. If you want a mulch product once you've placed your solid edge and rocks, have a look at what's available. Cedar mulch stays put as well and repels insects when it's fresh. I also like decomposed granite. It adds a great texture and visible sparkle to the area where it is placed. If you go with rubber, make sure it comes as a recycled product. Enjoy!

You could incorporate the rocks in among the plants. If you have a larger rock you could use it as a focal point in your garden.

Donna's got the right idea with laying the wedges flat, but I would suggest countersinking them into the dirt, so, as she said, the wheels can go right over the flat edge. Then I would build the height of the decorative next layer gradually, so hubby can feel the mower rise without flat-topping any plants. I've never worked with rubber mulch, but if it stays in place, that would be a great. There are products that you can sweep - or in your case sprinkle? - in between patio bricks and pavers that when wetted turn as hard as concrete. That would hold your decorative pieces in place, so there's nothing to repair after hubby mows. I would not suggest loose stone, small rocks or mulch too close to the edge. I still bear the scar where the mower my mother was using kicked up a stone and sliced my ankle open.

I like the 3-dimension in the second picture. Maybe one or two more with some height to, as Eileen suggested, give your garden a focal point (after everyone's done admiring your gorgeous flowers and plants).

I can't finish without mentioning your mowing hubby. Cherish him and never mention weed whacking again. My (now ex-) one day announced that he was too busy to do any outside work. I have 5 acres, so I don't have time for flower beds, but I do have a larger lawn tractor to mow quicker, 5 chain saws I've accumulated over the years (I enjoy caring for my many trees), and the house, in which I enjoy peace.

Blessings on you, your hubby, and your flowerbeds.

Thank you so much for your input. I like your suggestion. Have a blessed day!

Rubber mulch does not hurt flowers at all & it stays dark brown. I've used it for decades. Real mulch always fades & looks horrible (to me) a month later. Rubber mulch is recycled tires painted brown. Just sprinkle a lil more on top after you dig up flowers to thin them out. Put an ad on Craigslist, give extra plants to neighbors, call a local garden club or conservation group. Others will be glad to have new flowers.

Thank you for your input. I just might try that. Have an awesome day!

Thank you for your input. I was debating on what kind of mulch to use so I think this will help. I do end up doing a lot of transplanting and digging in my flower beds. I also have a swimming pool in the backyard where two of my garden sites are so I have to be able to make sure that the stuff is not going to get blown into the pool when my husband blows the grass. LOL I did to one of the garden sites in the backyard today and I'm just trying to get a feel for if this is what I want to do with the other Garden sites or not. Thank you again, have a blessed night!