Cat, whatever we do for beds, we make sure to leave the edge in a way that can be mown right up to. There is a lot less work to a yard if one eliminates having to get out the trimmer/weed whacker. Many of my gardens are edged with Bishops Weed. I can mow it and the edge just looks like an edge. Some people think that is invasive, but in Maine it isn't. My son took violets and edged the evergreen garden with them. Those can be mown up to as well. If one gets too many edging plants, they can always be given away. I have given away 1/2 my garden on Craigslist a couple of times.
We never use Weed'n'Feed products as they kill the "weeds" that are actually medicinal plants for the most part. Only 1 of the 20 items killed, as listed on the back of the package wasn't a useful medicinal. So, our lawn is never manicured. We mow weeds....and often eat them from areas we have not mown.
The foundation is surrounded by various mints. We never have to trim those. If they get out of hand coming forward, we dig them out and throw them behind the evergreens.
