A garden path beacons visitors safely to the entrance, around the deck or through the garden. Landscaping a garden path adds a great focal point to the yard. When considering a garden path, it is important to start with a plan. Design the pathway, consider color scheme and use plants that grow well in your area. Draw the plan out on a piece of paper, so you have a roadmap to follow. A lovely garden path leads people into areas around the garden, such as around the house to to the patio or deck. Gentle flowers invite people in, beckoning them to come hither, explore further. Flowers whisper, rather than shout, follow me. A garden path can beautify just about any area in the landscape. Rows of flowers along the front walk are especially popular. It is a good idea to plant a path within a larger garden, so people can walk between rows of plants and enjoy their beauty.
Pathway Design
Garden paths can be planted anywhere within a garden or landscape. The path may follow along a sidewalk, or run between two rows of plants.
Paths may run in a straight line, or meander along whimsically. Straight paths work best for front walks, where people tend to walk in a straight line directly. Meandering paths are for areas withing the garden, where people want to wanter and admire the lovely garden. Romantic curves should look like they are supposed to be there. Large objects, such as rocks or fountains, prevent people trying to walk straight through the garden and trampling plants.
According to an article by Joel M. Lerner of Environmental Design, published in The Washington Post, professional architects ofter allow users to determine the route of a walkway. People start walking a path, gradually creating the pathway. After the pedestrian circulation pattern emerges, the path can be paved to make it more formal.
Wheelchair Accessible Walkway
Walkways that lead to the main entrance and exists should be wide, so people can walk on it comfortably and safely. It is a good idea to make the walkway to the entrance and exit wheelchair accessible. The minimum path width for the wheelchair bound is 36 inches. A 60 inch pathway allows for two way traffic.
Paving Materials
Pavers are available in a variety of materials, including brick, flagstone, concrete and interlocking blocks. Dig out the path to about four inches below the surrounding ground. Lining material prevents weed growth from coming through the pavers. Sand and pea gravel are layers on top of the liner. Place the pavers into the gravel, pushing it in, so it is stable. The home store and landscaping store salesperson should be able to provide guidance about materials.
Plants for a Garden Path
The best plants along a garden path are low growing and have pretty flowers and foliage. Lavender is an excellent plant for a garden path, as it releases its heavenly aroma when ankles brush up against the willowy spiked flowers.
Low growing mounds of flowers or plants are placed in front of larger, taller plants. That way the taller plants can be seen behind the shorter plants. The plants of gradually increasing heights all add color and texture to the pathway.
Flowers and plants grow best in the climate that are designed for. Visit the local nursery for advice about which plants grown best in your climate. The salesperson at the garden store can be your best friend when designing a garden path, or any garden area.
Plants that grow in silvery mounds make a great pathway. The silvery leaves contrast with green foliage and flowers of other plants. Silver plants appear silvery because their leaves are coated with wax or tiny hairs that reflect light. Many of these plants hail from how, dry desert climate, so they are hardy in dry and gravelly spots. Popular silver plants include Artemisia and Lamb’s Ear. Ask the local nursery for about silvery plants in your area.
Select a color theme and plant the low growing plants along the pathway. Good annual plants for a garden path include begonia and inpatients. Perennials that make a great pathway include Artemisias, Astilbes, Bergemias, Candytuft, Catmints, Pinks, Coral Bells. Lady’s Mantles, Lamb’s Ear, Lavender and Thyme.
Enjoy Planning the Garden Path
Enjoy designing your garden path. Spend time looking at garden catalogs and visiting nurseries. A garden designer can help with the layout and color scheme. Planning a garden path can be fun.
