Aurora, Colorado, is a dynamic city known for its expansive parks, cultural venues, and vibrant neighborhoods in Denver County.
Home to over 386,000 residents, Aurora offers countless opportunities for outdoor enjoyment, with highlights like Cherry Creek State Park, Sand Creek Park, and Star K Ranch. Maintaining the city’s natural beauty and enhancing curb appeal are top priorities for homeowners and businesses.
At A Better Edge, we provide expert landscape edging services tailored to Aurora’s unique needs. Whether bordering a garden path near Norfolk Glen Park or defining a modern walkway outside Stanley Marketplace, our solutions offer both style and durability. This guide will walk you through various edging options, installation techniques, and design trends in Aurora.
The importance of landscape edging in Aurora
Aurora’s diverse geography includes everything from suburban homes to sprawling recreational spaces like Cherry Creek State Park. Proper landscape edging is essential for maintaining these outdoor environments, ensuring beauty and functionality.
Benefits of landscape edging:
- Enhanced aesthetics: Clean, defined borders add a polished touch to lawns, gardens, and patios.
- Reduced maintenance: Edging prevents grass and weeds from encroaching on flower beds and walkways.
- Improved drainage: Proper edging in areas like Sand Creek Park helps manage water runoff and prevents erosion.
Types of landscape edging for Aurora properties
Choosing the right edging material is crucial for achieving long-term performance and visual appeal. Aurora’s varying climate, which includes hot summers and snowy winters, makes durable materials a top priority.
Metal edging
- Durability: Both aluminum and steel edging can withstand Aurora’s freeze-thaw cycles without rusting or warping.
- Applications: Popular near modern venues like Stanley Marketplace, where contemporary designs are favored.
- Benefits: Low maintenance and versatility, ideal for straight and curved borders.
| Feature | Aluminum edging | Steel edging |
|---|---|---|
| Rust resistance | High | Moderate |
| Appearance | Sleek, minimalist | Bold, industrial |
| Ideal use | Patios, walkways | Driveways, commercial properties |
Concrete curbing
- Strength and customization: Concrete edging offers a wide range of textures, colors, and shapes, making it perfect for high-traffic areas like Cherry Creek State Park and commercial hubs.
- Applications: Frequently used to border driveways, paths, and playgrounds.
- Benefits: Extremely durable with minimal upkeep, even in harsh weather conditions.
Natural stone edging
- Organic aesthetic: Natural stone complements Aurora’s scenic parks, particularly Star K Ranch and Morrison Nature Center.
- Applications: Ideal for garden paths, seating areas, and rustic landscapes.
- Benefits: It adds a timeless look but may require occasional repositioning due to shifting soil.
Rubber and recycled materials
- Eco-friendly option: Made from recycled tires, rubber edging offers sustainability without compromising durability.
- Applications: Commonly used in playgrounds and child-friendly areas like Lava Island Aurora.
- Benefits: Flexible, shock-absorbent, and safe for both pets and children.
Design trends in Aurora landscaping
Aurora’s residents embrace a variety of landscape designs that balance modern innovation with natural beauty. These trends reflect both the city’s cultural heritage and outdoor lifestyle.
Historic and rustic designs
Natural stone and wood edging enhance the area’s historic charm in neighborhoods near the Aurora History Museum and The Aurora Fox Arts Center.
Popular features:
- Walkways bordered with rustic materials to evoke Aurora’s early days.
- Seating areas with natural elements for a welcoming, timeless atmosphere.
Contemporary minimalism
For properties near Stanley Marketplace, sleek aluminum edging is a popular choice. This trend emphasizes clean, geometric lines that complement modern architecture.
Key characteristics:
- Sharp edges define minimalist patios and paths.
- Blended materials, such as aluminum edging and concrete accents, create contrast.
Eco-conscious landscaping
With growing sustainability awareness, many Aurora homeowners choose recycled rubber edging and native plants to minimize environmental impact. This trend is especially prominent near Sand Creek Park and Morrison Nature Center.
Aurora’s climate considerations for landscape edging
Aurora’s climate presents unique challenges for landscaping, including temperature extremes and seasonal weather changes. Selecting materials that can withstand these conditions is crucial for long-term performance.
Freeze-thaw cycles
- Impact: Expanding and contracting soil can crack rigid materials like untreated concrete.
- Solution: Flexible rubber or reinforced concrete curbing can better adapt to temperature fluctuations.
UV exposure and heat
- Impact: Prolonged sun exposure may cause fading or deterioration in plastic edging.
- Solution: Install UV-resistant materials like aluminum or steel, which maintain their appearance over time.
Snow removal and erosion
- Impact: Snowplows and ice can damage poorly installed edging in high-traffic areas like Norfolk Glen Park.
- Solution: Durable options like steel or concrete edging can handle the wear and tear of snow removal.
Landscape edging applications in Aurora
Residential uses
- Garden beds: Prevent mulch from spilling onto walkways and maintain a clean look.
- Driveways: Define edges to prevent cracking and enhance curb appeal.
- Tree rings: Protect tree roots from damage and create focal points in yards.
Commercial and recreational uses
- Office complexes: Edging enhances entrances and provides clear boundaries for landscaping.
- Public parks: Safety-focused materials like rubber are ideal for play areas and trails.
The landscape edging installation process
Service features
At A Better Edge, we prioritize quality and efficiency. Our landscape edging services include:
- Material selection: We help you choose the best materials based on your property’s needs.
- Site preparation: We remove grass and debris to create a level installation area.
- Installation: Our team anchors edging securely to ensure long-lasting results.
Compliance with Aurora’s landscaping regulations
In Aurora, specific landscaping projects may require permits, mainly if they involve retaining walls or significant property modifications. Contractors are also responsible for sales and use tax on installation materials.
Tips for compliance:
- Verify whether your project requires a permit from Aurora’s Community Development Department.
- Ensure that sales tax is paid on materials unless resold directly to customers.
Affordable landscape edging options
Our pricing structure caters to various budgets, ensuring you receive high-quality service at a fair cost.
| Material | Cost range per linear foot | Maintenance | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber | $2 – $6 | Moderate | Playgrounds, eco-conscious designs |
| Aluminum | $3 – $10 | Low | Walkways, patios |
| Concrete | $4 – $12 | Low | Driveways, high-traffic areas |
Key landscape regulations in Aurora
The City of Aurora Planning Department outlines specific landscape design, installation, and maintenance requirements. These requirements ensure that landscaping projects contribute to water conservation, aesthetic appeal, and environmental health.
Landscape plan requirements
Aurora requires a preliminary landscape plan for new developments as part of the Development Application (DA) process. This plan must include detailed information on plant materials, irrigation zones, drainage systems, and tree protection measures.
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Plan size | 24″ x 36″ sheet with title block and keymap |
| Plant list | Includes species, water usage, and installation size |
| Irrigation system | An automatic underground system is required for most landscaped areas |
Tree preservation policy
Aurora’s Tree Preservation Policy mandates the protection of healthy, mature trees during construction. Developers must relocate or mitigate any trees removed as part of a landscaping project.
Steps for tree protection:
- Define a protection zone: This area must extend one linear foot per inch of trunk diameter.
- Install protective barriers: Equipment and vehicles must stay outside the protection zone.
- Mitigation: If tree removal is unavoidable, developers must replace the lost caliper inches by planting new trees or contributing to the city’s Tree Planting Fund.
Water conservation requirements
With a semi-arid climate, Aurora faces the challenge of maintaining lush, functional landscapes while conserving water. In response, the city promotes xeriscaping, a sustainable landscaping approach designed to minimize water consumption. Xeriscaping involves strategically selecting drought-tolerant plants, improving soil quality, and using efficient irrigation systems to create attractive, low-maintenance landscapes that thrive in dry conditions.
Water conservation measures are significant for properties near Sand Creek Park, Cherry Creek State Park, and other areas where natural resources are essential to the local ecosystem. Aurora’s regulations divide landscaping into water zones to ensure plants receive the appropriate water. Irrigation systems must comply with conservation guidelines by optimizing water use through drip irrigation, mulching, and rain sensor technology.
Plant categories and water usage
Aurora classifies plants into three main categories based on their irrigation requirements. This classification helps landscapers and property owners plan water-efficient landscapes while incorporating greenery that enhances curb appeal.
- Non-water conserving plants
- These plants require more than 15 inches of water per year to survive.
- Examples: Traditional lawn grasses, high-water shrubs, and non-native flowering plants.
- Non-water-conserving plants are discouraged unless necessary for specific aesthetic or functional purposes.
- Water conserving plants
- Low- or moderate-water plants require less than 15 inches of water annually.
- Examples: Native species such as juniper, rabbitbrush, and yarrow.
- These plants are ideal for residential and commercial properties that balance greenery and water efficiency.
- Zero-water (Z-rated) plants
- Z-rated plants require little to no irrigation after they are established.
- Examples: Blue grama grass, Russian sage, and desert willow.
- These plants thrive in Aurora’s dry climate and are highly recommended for xeriscaped properties.
| Plant Category | Water Requirement | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Non-water conserving | Over 15 inches per year | Lawn grasses, hydrangeas, ornamental shrubs |
| Water conserving | Less than 15 inches per year | Juniper, rabbitbrush, yarrow |
| Zero-water (Z-rated) | Minimal irrigation needed | Russian sage, desert willow |
Non-taxable and taxable landscaping services
Aurora differentiates between taxable sales and non-taxable services for landscaping projects.
| Service Type | Tax Status |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing | Non-taxable |
| Sod installation | Taxable (materials subject to sales tax) |
| Retail plant sales | Taxable at point of sale |
Contractor responsibilities
- Pay sales tax on materials used for installations unless they are for resale.
- Collect sales tax when selling materials directly to customers without installation.
Permit requirements
Projects such as retaining walls, grading, and irrigation system installation may require permits. The city also enforces zoning laws for perimeter buffers and setbacks to maintain visual consistency and protect neighboring properties.
Compliance tips for Aurora property owners
Chad Livingston, owner of A Better Edge, advises:
“Adhering to Aurora’s landscape regulations is crucial for a smooth project. We ensure that our landscape edging solutions meet all legal requirements, from tree protection to water management.”
Tips for compliance:
- Verify permit requirements before starting construction projects.
- Use approved plant materials that align with the city’s xeriscape recommendations.
- Install compliant irrigation systems to promote efficient water use.
Why choose A Better Edge?
Chad Livingston, owner of A Better Edge, emphasizes the importance of customization and compliance:
“Every project is unique. We focus on creating solutions that match Aurora’s landscape while adhering to all local regulations.”
Contact us today
Enhance your outdoor space with professional landscape edging services in Aurora. Contact A Better Edge to schedule a consultation and explore how we can bring your vision to life. Whether you’re in Cherry Creek State Park, Stanley Marketplace, or a quiet neighborhood near Norfolk Glen Park, we have the expertise to deliver exceptional results.
