Pathways are the veins and arteries of a landscape, connecting the various elements of the garden and encouraging people to enjoy the outdoor spaces around them. At Details Landscape Art, we design gardens with patios, gates, benches, vegetable gardens, arbors, and sitting areas, and we like to tie all of these features together with attractive walkways.
A network of flagstone pathways connects various elements of the garden
Whether leading from the driveway to the front door, from a patio to a side gate, or from the back door to a quiet seating area beneath an arbor, pathways make a garden more functional and inviting.
We generally encourage homeowners to participate in their gardens rather than simply look at them. We hope people will enjoy gardening, entertaining, pausing for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, or simply wandering through the landscape. Pathways make that possible.
Designing Pathways for Beauty and Function
A pathway should do more than move people from one place to another.
The best pathways complement the overall style of the landscape and coordinate with other hardscape materials used throughout the garden. While a pathway can match the patio material, it may also provide an attractive contrast. The key is avoiding too many different materials in the same space.
A multi-colored stone entry pathway
In our experience, simplicity usually results in a more pleasing design.
Two of our favorite pathway materials are flagstone steppingstones and decomposed granite.
Flagstone Steppingstone Pathways
Flagstone steppingstones provide an informal, natural appearance that works beautifully in many garden styles.
We typically use large pieces of stone, usually two to three feet wide and one-and-one-half to two inches thick. Larger stones provide greater stability and comfortably support adult foot traffic.
A gently curving Connecticut Bluestone pathway
Rather than installing the stones in a straight line, we often create gentle sweeping curves that encourage visitors to slow down and enjoy the garden. The stones are carefully set on compacted fill material and fitted together with narrow joints to ensure stability.
Flagstone steppingstones blend particularly well with flagstone patios, stamped concrete hardscape, and naturalistic garden designs.
Decomposed Granite
Another popular option is decomposed granite.
Known as “hardpan” in many parts of the eastern United States, decomposed granite creates an informal walking surface that complements Mediterranean-style landscapes and cottage gardens.
In Northern California’s dry summer months, decomposed granite compacts into a firm walking surface. During the rainy season it can become softer, although modern stabilizer products help bind the material and improve durability.
We often soften the edges of decomposed granite pathways with low-growing groundcovers that spill gently over the borders. The result is a relaxed and timeless look that feels perfectly at home in California gardens.
Other Materials
Pathways can also be constructed using many of the same materials found elsewhere in the landscape.
Stamped concrete provides a clean, consistent appearance and often complements nearby patios and driveways.
Flagstone mortared onto a concrete base creates a more formal and permanent walkway.
Pathways of flagstone mortared onto a concrete base
Other possibilities include:
- Brick pathways
- Exposed aggregate pathways
- Exposed aggregate with brick borders
- Decorative concrete finishes
The possibilities are nearly endless, provided the materials work together as part of a cohesive design.
Why Every Garden Needs Pathways
Without pathways, people naturally create their own routes through the landscape.
They walk through planting beds, kick bark into the lawn, compact the soil around plants, and gradually create worn areas where none were intended.
Well-designed pathways direct foot traffic where it belongs while making the garden more enjoyable and easier to navigate.
At Details Landscape Art, we consider pathways an essential element of good garden design. They connect outdoor spaces, improve functionality, and encourage homeowners and guests to fully experience the landscape rather than simply admire it from a distance.