Paths: The Garden Organizers
Gardening Newsletter
Vol. 7, Issue 3 - June 2012
A successfully designed pathway system acts as the backbone of a garden.
Garden Path Planning Process
The planning of a good path system begins with having a scaled base plan of
your garden. (For more on how to create one, see Volume 6, Issue 3.) Place
tracing paper over the plan and indicate the following:
The garden’s functional areas and their relationships to each other, for
example, how close your vegetable garden is to the garden-tool storage
area;
Important destination points within each functional area, for example, water
faucets or a bench used for watching children at play;
Site constraints that affect path routes and construction. These may include
wet spots, a historic stonewall, rocky outcrops or steep slopes;
Design elements you want to incorporate, such as highlighting significant
views, focal points and garden structures.
Once the inventory is complete, note your proposed path widths and materials,
inclusive of steps, ramps, handrails, etc. Keep in mind that paths meant to
accommodate large garbage bins, tree carts, construction equipment, etc.
must be of a specific width and surface. Don’t overlook bylaw regulations that
may exist; ensure the appropriate approvals have been secured.
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Paths: The Garden Organizers
Gardening Newsletter
Vol. 7, Issue 3 - June 2012
The Design Role of Paths
Paths are more than pedestrian conveniences for getting from place to place.
They are the backbone of the garden. As such, they are of vital importance
to its design. Paths that bend their way around trees and shrubs or that
disappear through a hedge opening create anticipation and add mystery to the
garden. The materials used reinforce the period and style of the house if like
material is used. Intricate brick and stone patterns may speak to an earlier time
period, whereas color-rendered concrete gives a more contemporary look. A
path system can also establish intricate patterns in the garden, for example
by laying down herringbone or basket weave brickwork, that are particularly
noticeable from windows and elevated decks.
Paths also influence perspective. A narrowing path planted with bordering
trees and shrubs makes a space seem longer. Flagstones used as stepping
stones extending from a flagstone patio onto an adjacent lawn unite the
areas, thereby acting as a transition, and merge the foreground patio with the
middleground lawn. To help avoid visual confusion and to achieve a cohesive
look, it is important to coordinate path materials with those used for walls,
copings, steps, lamp bases and patio surfaces.
Furthermore, path design should be
as unobtrusive and as respectful of
the environment as possible. This
is aptly demonstrated in country
gardens, where infrequently mown
paths snake through meadows, and
boardwalks skirt sensitive aquatic
environments.
The Path Alignment
Successfully designed and
implemented garden paths appear
as if they have always been there
and follow lines that are obvious and
natural. They should never appear
to be contrived or forced upon the
landscape.
An informal limestone pathway
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Paths: The Garden Organizers
Gardening Newsletter
Vol. 7, Issue 3 - June 2012
The style and lines of your house (formal and symmetrical or informal and
asymmetrical) will influence the alignment of an entrance walkway leading
to your front door. Likewise, a side-yard storage area (where you keep your
garbage bins, for example) warrants a direct route to the street to make
carrying those bins to the curb as easy as possible. On the other hand, in a
garden with a naturalistic design, a backyard path that meanders will draw
attention to marginal features, whereas a straight path would quickly propel
eyes forward to a terminus. As previously noted, path alignments are strongly
influenced by site constraints, as well as by design features. These constraints
can cause paths to become divergent. In terms of design considerations,
retaining a comfortable setback from neighboring properties must also be
considered, particularly if you or your neighbors are concerned about privacy.
Path Materials and Construction
Path surfacing is determined by a great number of factors such as safety (nonslippery and stable), climate, appearance, appropriateness of setting, cost,
availability, ease of installation and upkeep. Take note of the materials used
for your home’s exterior, outbuildings, fences and walls to help guide your
pathway material selection. A wonderful variety of natural sandstone, limestone
and granite in various colors and thicknesses is readily available where I live
(Toronto, Ontario). I must admit, I have a passion for using local sandstone for
paths and walkways. Mine still look great after 30 years. Imported natural stone
and manufactured stone-like material and interlocking pavers are also popular
and widely available in a variety of sizes, shapes, thicknesses, colors and
textures. This assortment of natural and manufactured materials has added
significantly to the look and creativity of garden design.
For the do-it-yourselfer and for those who prefer porous fast-draining surface
materials, there are numerous options such as woodchips, shredded bark,
pea gravel, limestone screenings and even, in some areas, seashells. These
are relatively easy to install and go down quickly. In the case of dry-laid and
mortar-laid natural stone and pavers, installation will vary depending on
material selection, soil, drainage and base-material compaction requirements.
For walkways and paths on sloping terrain, you will likely need to do some
grading and create walls, steps and ramps. Tackling such work is probably
better left to the stone masons and landscape contractors who specialize in it.
They have the equipment and know-how to avoid costly wastage and damaged
materials and know where to get the materials at the best price.
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Paths: The Garden Organizers
Gardening Newsletter
Vol. 7, Issue 3 - June 2012
A woodchip path winds its way through a country garden
Accessorizing Paths
Pathway surfaces are but one component of a path’s construction. Edging
material lends structural support, keeps surface materials in place and helps
retard plant intrusions. It needs to be in sync with the character of the site and
coordinated with the path surfacing material. You might use split cedar logs
to define a bark-chip woodland trail and use edging stone for a more formal
stone walkway. Edging can also double as mowing strips to stop lawn scalping.
Ground-hugging plants, such as moss in shady areas and thyme (Thymus
spp.) pearlwort (Sagina subulata), grass, various sedums and hens and chicks
(Sempervivum spp.) in sunny locations, further soften a path’s appearance.
In terms of non-plant accessories, pathway lighting is often necessary to
illuminate steps, ramps, landings and features along the route. Decorative
tiles and cobble medallions, bird baths, boulders and statuary that grace path
junctions and margins serve as focal points and conversation pieces.
I recycled an antique bird bath that no longer held water to use as an ivy
planter. I also reused an old grindstone to create an historic marker along a
walkway.
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Paths: The Garden Organizers
Gardening Newsletter
Vol. 7, Issue 3 - June 2012
Pathway steps accessorized with container plantings
Paths and walkways are critical to the function and aesthetics of a well-designed garden. Take your time, complete the required inventory and materialselection processes, and visit stone suppliers and installers. This will help you
to achieve a pathway system that best fits your garden.
Text by Frank Kershaw
Photos by Marnie Wright
Frank Kershaw is an award-winning horticulturist with thirty-five years’ experience. He teaches garden design and horticultural courses at George Brown
College in Toronto, Ontario, and at the Toronto Botanical Garden. Frank is also
a presenter at the Lee Valley Tool Ltd. seminars at the Toronto stores.
Marnie Wright ([email protected]) is a lifelong gardener, writer and
passionate garden photographer. Her Rocksborough Garden, developed over
thirty years, is located in Bracebridge, Ontario.
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