Choosse A Path That Punches Up Your Landscape Design

by Grace Motley

Paths are a vital part of any successful garden design. Whether they lead straight from house to street, or are designed to display your show-quality roses, a path can can pull together your landscape into a more cohesive plan. When planning your landscape with a company like Cottonwood Landscapes LLC, make sure to discuss these interesting ideas for garden paths.

A Wooden Woodland Path

Don't overlook wood when planning your landscape paths. Pressure treated boards, cedar, and redwood can all withstand the elements and are resistant to rot damage. You can create a simple path by laying the boards flat to create a path reminiscent of a wooden bridge, weaving it through your garden bed.

For a more creative take on the wooden path, cut logs into 3- or 4-inch thick rounds. Use the rounds as you would pavers or cobblestones to create a whimsical and natural looking path.

Stepping Stones on Edge

There's no need to resort to the same old look, even if you are using the same old stones. Polished river rocks installed on edge create texture and give the stone pathway a different appearance. You can install an entire short path in this manner, or lay regular paving stones in the basic shape of the path, and then fill in the gaps with stones on edge. Alternate colors to create a vibrant mosaic.

Cobbled Together

Cobblestones are a favorite look for a landscape path, but change up the material and the arrangement to fit your landscape design. A simple brick path laid in a herringbone pattern provides an informal yet polished look. Flagstones and natural stone pavers are another option.

Creative Stonework

Get creative with a highly formal garden path by integrating different colored stones to create a pattern along the walkway. Inset clay or glass mosaic colors for a pop of regal color and beauty. If stonework isn't in the budget, you can paint or stain an existing concrete path to resemble a more ornate stone pathway.

A Few Tips to Get You Started:

  • Plan your paths so they follow natural traffic patterns. This will keep people from wearing down your lawn or cutting through your prized flower beds.
  • Use plants to fill in the gaps between pavers in the path. Choose plants that can handle foot traffic, such as creeping thyme.
  • Use a variety of plants to line your path. Different heights, textures and colors make paths more pleasant and help them fit into the landscape.
  • Skip the straight path unless you want a very formal garden. Curves and meandering paths give the walker more to discover.
  • Place a bench on your path, even if it's a short one, to give the a place to rest and enjoy the landscape.

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