A garden path needs to take you where you're going, but it can do so much more if properly designed.
A path should enhance the experience of your garden, says Darcy Daniels of Bloomtown Garden Design and Nursery. The route of the path, the materials used to make it, the plantings along its sides and its scale all combine to send a message about the experience you want to have in your garden.
A straight path, for example, allows people to move more quickly and might be fitting for the connection between the house and the everyday dining area. You'll also want to cover this area with smooth materials so you don't trip while balancing plates of food.
On the other hand, a path with sinuous curves and a somewhat uneven surface will cause people to move more slowly and appreciate the journey. If there's no room for curves, Daniels suggests using screens or a trellis to break up the space; you can "green" them with climbing plants.
Repeat plants or colors along the path to lure the eye forward and create continuity. For example, says Daniels, place a beautiful grass on one side of the path, then a bit farther down the path, an identical grass on the opposite side, and so on.
Placing a taller plant -- say a hydrangea -- at the inside of a curve will help obscure the view and provide a bit of discovery as you walk along.
Many designers recommend that paths be at least 3 feet wide, but Daniels doesn't abide by such rules. Instead, she recommends that you keep your path in scale with the garden and your plantings.
Now that your head is full of these general concepts, Daniels suggests that you stand back and look at the space:
• How will the trees develop over time?
• Consider the existing hardscape, buildings and plants that you are working with.
You also need to consider function:
• The path has to get you to such places as the back gate and the compost pile, for example, so it has to be practical for the purpose.
Now pull out all of your garden hoses and start defining your path:
• Outline the path's route and leave it in place for a few days.
• Walk the path as you use the garden -- take the trash out, go to your favorite sitting area, take the wheelbarrow for a spin.
• You might even want to put empty pots or other objects along the path where you intend to place plants.
Again, think about the experience:
• Is this section going to have lush plantings and a jungle-like effect?
• What does that mean for the path?
• Adjust the hoses until you're comfortable with the route and width of the path.
NEXT WEEK'S BLOG: We'll start the real work of building a path yourself. In the meantime, if you've got some design tips to share, please post a comment here.
-- Kay Balmer; email@example.com