Garden Paths: Tiptoe Through the Tulips
August 21st, 2008
Filed in Garden Design
Tags: English Garden, garden, garden planning, patios etc
Garden paths are essential for anyone who is fully bent on eradicating grass from the yard. You might not think that is your goal—but if you are a hard-core gardener, just watch how fast a small flower bed project can turn into a yard makeover. This happened in my yard this spring. What started as a little bed next to the sidewalk grew into half of my front yard. The back project was even larger—consuming a full two thirds of the yard. We have yet to decide on garden paths. There are so many choices!
Fragrant Paths
If the garden grows like I hope it will, I will probably add a flagstone and herb path through my back garden. These paths evoke English Cottage Gardens with unruly flowers spilling over the edges. The meandering quality of a flagstone path invites visitors to the garden to wander on.
Make sure to select a color of stone that complements the natural surroundings of your garden. For example—if you have a shade garden, you need darker stones. In a desert garden, lighter stones will look best. Plants in between the stones can vary, but for a fragrant garden choose varieties of creeping thyme. The thyme is resilient to foot traffic, and can grow in a variety of conditions. When you step on it and crush the leaves, the scented oils of the plant are released, creating a pleasant walk.
Memory Lane
Garden paths can be works of art that are added to. Consider creating your own “walk of fame” or “memory lane” by building a path out of engraved garden stepping stones. You can commemorate special occasions (anniversaries, births, graduations, a hole in one, etc.) by commissioning an engraved, personalized stepping stone. These types of paths work well for gardeners who continuously expand their gardens and need to lengthen their garden paths.
Compacted Mulch
If your garden is large, and you like to re-arrange your paths, you probably want to consider a compacted mulch path. These are the most comfortable paths for walking, because they give a little and are low-impact on joints. Additionally, they are easier to move than a stone or brick path. Start by spreading three or four inches of mulch in the path area. You can rent a pad compactor fairly inexpensively from equipment rental companies. Compact the path twice. You will have to add mulch about once a year. The downside of compacted mulch paths is that they do require some maintenance after a heavy rain. These paths work best if they are edged on either side with raised edging to hold the mulch in.
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