Garden Path Design 101

A garden path design can be just as enchanting as the garden itself. All will come together for a great walkway design.

A path is much more than functional, but function is where it starts. Consider where your pathway might be, what kind of traffic you'll get, and the feeling or style of your garden in this area.

Traffic & Safety

When you consider the design of your garden path, where are you placing it? Will it function as a utility path from the driveway to the house? These types of paths have a lot of traffic. The best plan for them is a material that won't cause a tripping hazard.

Many materials that are set in concrete would work for a utility path. Stamped or plain concrete works, too. Pavers offer a great alternative -- even sand-set pavers which is how we install them.

Make sure a utility path is wide enough -- at least three feet. If the path you're considering is a front entrance, you may want to widen your pathway. I like at least 5' for a front entrance. This offers a chance for guests to walk side-by-side.

In other areas of the garden, strolling paths have much more leeway in their construction. These are paths that are taken at a leisurely pace. Let your creativity shine!

Materials

By combining more than one material, your garden path design can be unique and creative. Possible materials:

• concrete (plain, stamped, or colored)
• brick pavers (standard or tumbled)
• stone tile (slate, limestone, or travertine)
• crushed granite
• pebbles (loose or cast in concrete)
• timber (with good drainage only)
• exposed aggregate concrete
• bark chips
• flagstone
• pea gravel (a bit soft under foot)
• hand made pavers

Inspiration

Making stepping stones with the kids is something that you might enjoy. Now, if you took those stepping stones and used them for a garden path, the kids will feel like they are a part of the garden. Alternate with plain steppers if you don't have enough for the entire path.

A rustic pathway through your flowers -- wooden steppers. Simply cut a 3"-5" slab off the end of a wooden log. Set it firmly in the mulch and voila! This was my solution when I found that the family was walking through my large perennial bed.

I love flagstone paired with brick pavers. You could take this combination throughout your landscape for a coordinated look. The patio, the front walk -- with the many different colors and shapes available, you'll find a combination that's perfect for you.

Layout

Pathways, many times, form obvious lines in the garden. As such, they should be designed, just like the rest of it.

Straight garden path designs are the easiest to construct. You might shy away from these thinking them too formal, but that's not necessarily true. English gardens often have straight pathways, but the tumble of perennials over the edges softens the look and is very charming.

Random pathways -- that seem to wander through the garden -- can work if your landscape is large enough. A mulch pathway through a wooded garden with spring bulbs on either side would be quite charming.

Smaller gardens really benefit from a more controlled pathway layout. This is because, many times, the lines of the path can be seen very easily. If you're frustrated with your small garden, look at the hardscape -- the pathways and patios and such.

Does it seem 'messy' instead of artistic? Small, random curves in a garden path design can give that feel. Instead, try a more formal approach with lines and circles or a more controlled look with large arcs and lines.

First thoughts for a pathway should be toward safety. After that, have fun with the materials and the layout. Lead your garden guests to your home or through your garden with beautiful pathways.