Three Elements of a Great Garden Path

The Journey Matters as Much as the Destination

A great path slows you down, revealing surprises—choice plants, scents, vistas, flowers for cutting. Landscape architect Michael Buccino says, "Traveling through is as important as the point of arrival." Pauses are planned: a widening, a cluster of sculptural succulents, a bench, a fountain's splash, or bird feeder action.

Thoughtful Design

• Direct the gaze toward beauty and away from compost piles, trash cans.
• Broad, well-marked entries pull you in; trails behind shrubbery may hide something.
• Put paths where people naturally walk (worn trails in turf).
• Use solid materials (brick, flagstone) for barefoot paths; bark or gravel for satellite paths (edge with rocks or benderboard).
• Soften with low groundcovers between pavers: allow 2 inches of amended soil.
• Accessorize with art, benches, arbors to create mini-destinations.

Three Elements of a Great Path

1. Width: Major paths 6 ft wide (two abreast), never less than 4 ft. Spur paths 2 ft if no equipment needed.
2. Surface: Hard or hard-packed for wheelbarrows, carts, mowers. Sharp-edged gravel packs well; round pea gravel doesn't. Avoid smooth surfaces (glazed tile, finished wood) in cold climates where sand for ice can damage them.
3. Drainage: Crown hard surfaces (1/4 in. drop per foot) so water runs off.

Best Groundcovers for Between Pavers

• Scotch moss (Sagina subulata 'Aurea' or Arenaria verna 'Aurea')—velvet-smooth, chartreuse; full sun/part shade, regular water, good drainage; not for desert, Alaska, Hawaii.
• Sweet alyssum—honey-scented white flowers all year in mild climates; lavender-pink and deep violet forms.
• Creeping thyme—drought-tolerant, fragrant, blue-green, 3 inches tall, roots as it spreads, light foot traffic, summer blooms (bees may be an issue barefoot).
• Blue star creeper—dense 3-inch evergreen, blue star flowers in spring/early summer; not for cold winters or desert; needs abundant summer water in warm CA.