10 Tips for Picture-Perfect Garden Pathways

These inspired ideas will get you from point A to point B in style

Even though we gardeners are 100 % focussed on plants , we realize the undeniable fact that nerve pathway are an essential useful element of a garden . They assist us to navigate spaces , reach destinations , and access plantings for alimony . Withoutthem , we ’d just be wandering about willy - nilly and step on our treasure botanic treasures . However , just because garden path have a practical purpose does n’t mean they ca n’t also contribute to the mantrap and purpose of our crop spaces .

Marry your path to your destination

An loose path material such as wood microprocessor chip is the perfect choice for an expansive landscape pose with constituent purpose element and free - flowing plantings .

Maury Island , Washington

Garden by Mary and Whit Carhart

Sometimes it’s all about the journey

With a solid pathway in piazza , a garden stroll becomes the independent attracter as it leads visitant on an immersive sensory experience of colours , textures , perfume , and even sounds ( like the crunching of crushed rock underfoot ) .

Bainbridge Island , Washington

Garden by Cassie Picha

Let the function inform the layout

Like roads in metropolis and neighborhoods , garden route provide the infrastructure needed to move about our outdoor spaces . Luckily for us , we do not have to design our garden thruways to deal possible traffic jamming . However , their intent or function should play a major rolein determining their feature of speech , such as width , condition , and relaxation of upkeep . Just be sure you balance those practical considerations withchoices that will beautify and heighten the journey through your garden .

Add some zig to your zag

When establishing a path that actuate you from one area to another , consider whether or not you need this thruway to be a true line or if you have the flexibility to give it some fun . Strong hatful furrow , divisions , and patterns can make a powerful visual dynamic in a garden scenery , particularly if an country is viewed as a whole . In this form of setting , a elementary wooden - plank walkway can become a wonderful focal full point when laid out in a zigzag configuration and flank with naturalized ferns and other forest plants .

Millbrook , New York

Innisfree Garden

Make your entry wide and welcoming

Of all the places where you could be generous with outer space , the main entry to your dimension or garden is plausibly the one you do n’t want to skimp on . make a direct and welcoming path do arriving more comfortable for you and your visitors . Width and self-coloured ground are important here for voyage the approach with relaxation , no matter if you are saunter about with a cup of Camellia sinensis or hauling a wheelbarrow full of mulch . Uneven or sly surfaces are always a problem , but especially so on your arduous travel entry course . Flat stone paseo are a great choice for this location and are easy to clear if you be in an area that experiences C. P. Snow or you have lots of plant that drop leaves in fall .

Port Hadlock , Washington

Garden by Susie Howard

Infuse secondary paths with intrigue

Not all way of life are think for heavy or frequent traffic . Some of the best walkways are secondary ones that leadto a hidden sanctuary area , such as a bench under a favorite tree diagram . With some creativity and resource , these path can be just as magical or intriguing as theirdestinations . matt rock found on your own property ( perhaps even unearthed while prepping a garden bed ) can be used to make a meandering , stick-in-the-mud , stepping - stone way of life that leads to a surprising or reposeful oasis .

Strengthen your design through style and materials

Gardens are a grand form of self - expression , allowing us opportunities to reveal our senses of style and personality . As a design constituent , a pathway is a terrific means to anchor one ’s chosen aesthetic throughout the year as plants and season change . From crushed rock to brick toprecision - cutstone , the walkway material has a huge influence on a garden ’s humor and style .

Invoke old-world charm with classic choices

There is nothing like the purpose of classic material to evoke the sensation of being transfer to another clock time and establishing a sense of place . Materials link up to the story of a neighborhood or place , such as brick and weather wood , are unmatched when it comes to create old - humans charm . Of course , the panorama is n’t complete without the cellular inclusion of long - standing works favorites , such as genus Funka and sedum , and well - behaved shrub that soften the pathway edge .

Nantucket , Massachusetts

Use straight and clean lines for a modern flair

If a minimalist aesthetic is your cupful of tea , you by all odds want to emphasize your footpath . tract are a key constituent of providing the unbent and clean production line indicative of innovative design . They are unmatched for the strong geometric shapes and pattern they provide . Rectangular precast concrete pavers paired with still - textured homochromatic pebble and sword edging crap for a phenomenal backcloth for morphological evergreen and well - balanced perennial stress planting .

Seattle , Washington

Garden by Robin Parsons

Establish a sense of whimsy with eclectic elements

Mixed planting and interracial pathwaymaterials go hand - in - manus when it comes to creating an expressively unique landscape . In draw eclectic elements together successfully , the Satan is indeed in the details . A walkway constructed of a wonderful raiment of carefully come out river rocks and compressed stepping stones is a fitting accompaniment to a colorful combining of bulbs , perennials , and woody plants that entices visitors to take a closer look .

Eugene , Oregon

Mosaic walkway by Jeffery Bale at Northwest Garden Nursery

garden pathways

Photo: doreenwynja.com

15 Pleasing Plants for Pathways

Let ’s be true — we all want to bone a ton of gorgeous plant along our path . But before going hogg wild , be aware that some plants are better suited for this emplacement than others . Here ’s a list of great plants for pathways that enhance the garden journeying and do n’t crowd , scratch , or prick passersby .

1 . Maidenhair fern(Adiantumspp . and cvs . , zone 3–11 )

2 . Sedge(Carexspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–10 )

path of wood chips through a garden

Photo: doreenwynja.com

3 . Bluebeard(Caryopteris×clandonensisand cvs . , Zones 5–9 )

4 . Clethra(Clethra alnifoliaand cvs . , Zones 3–9 )

5 . Epimedium(Epimediumspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 )

gravel garden pathway

Photo: doreenwynja.com

6 . Fothergilla(Fothergillaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 )

7 . brave geranium(Geraniumspp . and cvs . Zones 3–9 )

8 . Heuchera(Heucheraspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 )

zig zag wooden-plank walkway surrounded by ferns

Photo: Michelle Gervais

9 . Hosta(Hostaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 )

10 . Hydrangea(Hydrangeaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 )

11 . Sedum(Hylotelephium , Petrosedum , Phedimus , andSedumspp . and cvs . , zone 3–11 )

wide stone garden walkways

Photo: doreenwynja.com

12 . Lavender(Lavandulaspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–10 )

13 . Little bluestem(Schizachyrium scopariumand cvs . , Zones 3–9 )

14 . Lamb ’s ears(Stachys byzantinaand cvs . , Zones 4–8 )

stone and rock garden pathway

Photo: doreenwynja.com

15 . Smooth witherod(Viburnum nudumand cvs . , Zones 3–9 )

Jennifer Benner is content editor forFine horticulture . She has a bachelor ’s level in horticulture from The Ohio State University .

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Photo: doreenwynja.com

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