Beds are what people notice from the sidewalk. Keeping them sharp is mostly about edge definition, mulch depth and pruning at the right time of year.
Through the season
Spring is cutback, edge re-cut and mulch. Summer is weeding and deadheading. Fall is cutback again, leaf clearing and protecting anything tender before frost.
Pruning
We prune to the plant’s habit and to its flowering window, so spring bloomers are cut after they flower rather than before.