Pathway Pizazz

Long or winding, short or sweet, a pathway adds a “come-hither” element to a landscape design, introducing a sense of mystery or comfort, and can throw up a surprise or two along the way.

Pathway of Boons

Lends definition to a garden and provide the bones or structure of the garden.

Allows enjoyment of interesting features installed in and around the garden.

Provides access to an entryway, or to the hidden or distant areas of a property.

Connects the multiple areas lending the garden a cohesive appearance.

Contributes a groomed look to the garden landscape.

Complements or reinforces architecture of the house and its site.

Serves as a focal point, as in the case of decorative stepping stones.

Getting it right

Pathways can pose a daunting design challenge to any gardener. Start off on the right foot and you set just the tone for the garden but go off track and you throw the garden out of whack.

Pointers to Pathway Pizazz

Mark a beginning

Signal a start of a pathway with a landmark such as a specimen plant, a sculpture or an archway or it could be something as subtle as a paved sitting area.

Provide a destination or retreat

Herald the end of the destination by installing a container garden, a bench or a gate so that you can stop and linger before you retrace your steps.

Design a path that winds out of sight

This will tickle the imagination and arouse the curiosity as to what lies yonder and tempts one to venture farther.

Punctuate the path with incidental interest

Create change in material used underfoot such as brick to gravel or change the width of path or simply let the path take an unexpected turn or let it to pass through different spaces in the journey to the destination. A bench placed along the pathway can certainly provide a welcome break.

Provide an element of assurance

Remove every possible source of hazard or anything that may shatter your peace of mind at any point of the path. Anticipate any possible problem on a route by considering the users and design the path accordingly. Use textured surfaces to increase traction and provide garden lighting to improve visibility during the evenings.

Practise common sense

Keep the path simple if its sole purpose is for handling foot traffic. Too circuitous and you encourage the traveler to take shortcuts unless it is meant for a leisurely stroll.

Ensure compatibility with setting

Use materials that tie in with other garden structures or the house. The pathway should also complement the architecture of the house and its site, hence extending the house into the outdoors. For example, repeat motifs established in the house or pick up elements of the house exterior such as using bricks for the pathway for a brick facade.

Wise up to widths

A width of four feet or more will encourage two people to walk side by side and help guide them through a garden. A narrow path with a width of 18 inches or less is a cue to tread slowly and is perfect for those who want to linger and do a leisurely inspection of the garden, especially if the footing is uneven. Narrower pathways of a foot wide can potentially be a source of instability especially if the surface is rough or slippery. Bear in mind also that a seemingly ideal spacing for some may actually be tricky to navigate for others such as the elderly.

Drainage and run-off patterns

To facilitate water flow, pathways may need to be recessed or to be installed with adjusted grades. If large areas of root zones are to be covered, permeable materials such as flagstone or brick will permit air, water and nutrients to penetrate into the roots to keep trees healthy.

Materials Underfoot

Choice of construction materials is crucial in determining the style and safety of the pathway.

Aggregates

Available in a wide array of colours and textures, they are made up of small particles stone, glass, metal or shell. They are well-suited as decorative mulches and surface finishes especially in areas with low foot traffic.

Slate A natural stone, it is sought after for its rich tones and colours. It can be finished to produce different textures: riven, split or polished into smooth
slabs.

Crushed slate Though an unstable material, its aesthetic appeal lends itself well to decorative schemes involving special surface finishes such as that found in Zen gardens. It is best suited for areas with low traffic.

Granite setts Ideal for heavy-duty slip resistant paths, their small size are also effective as edgings and useful for curved pathways. They also introduce textural contrasts into any garden landscape scheme.

Bricks Available in a wide variety of colors and textures, they can be laid in a myriad of geometric patterns.

Railway sleepers Durable, they team well with contrasting materials such as pale gravel and chippings to great effect and can be easily assembled to create a series of steps for a rustic path. New sleepers, or timber cut to similar dimensions, can look a snap with their crisp edges and grained surfaces.

Cobbles, chippings & gravel They can be laid in complex patterns and shapes and can be useful in reflecting light; pale chips can help dispel the gloom in a garden.

Concrete An exceptionally versatile material, it is also reasonable in cost. It can look either utilitarian or contemporary and can be cast on site in panels, freeform shapes or mixed with other aggregates to produce a range of textural finishes and colors.

Style File

Bricks laid in old-fashioned basketweave pattern set a relaxed tone and work well in a traditional while a straightforward pattern is appropriate for a contemporary style home. Bricks when used as edging can positively transform a plain exposed aggregate pathway. Old bricks can also be used to great effect as a decorative detail in a rustic scheme; fill in cracks between chipped bricks with tiny plants or moss to add an instant patina of age.

A few large flagstones laid in a random or non-grid fashion give a stylish effect in a garden with tight space but smaller slabs in different sizes laid in the same fashion can create a fussy look, making the small space appear even smaller. But if the small slabs are identical in size and laid in a geometric grid, the result is a unified all-over pattern.

For a more formal finish, go for flagstones with mortared joints. For a casual look, lay flagstones on sand and ease creepers into the cracks.

Pebbles set in cement or laid loosely on gravel look comely teamed with shrubs or small pines. Rocks used with pebbles and gravel can add visual interest and are a boon to an inward-looking small space garden.

Concrete surface texture can be enhanced by adding in aggregates, stamped with a decorative pattern or tinted to match or contrast with nearby features. Or set in personal mementos such as broken china, marbles, foot or paw prints to leave an expressive personal touch to the path.

Railway sleepers being long in relation to their width can be used for directional emphasis They are either laid in straight lines or at right angles as they do not curve easily.

On a last note, as with any design project the rules of the game are never cast in concrete; after all creating your own design can leave a unique stamp on the look and mood of the garden.