Garden paths are more than simply a functional route from one space to another, combined with textural planting and enticing views, they are an integral experience of any garden and unique to each user who travels them.
Above - before and after:
When considering your connected routes through a garden it’s important to study the hierarchy of different zones and whether these routes are primary, secondary or intended to be hidden away. The intention is to combine accessibility with aesthetics and a beautiful material palette that fits within the client’s budget and works well with other materials on site.
The two images above indicate two of the main concerns when designing this area:
1. The straight view down this tight garden section between the house and the boundary fence
2. The view from the neighbour’s window into the new kitchen and dining room extension.
The main goal of this side “alley” design brief, was to connect the one side of the garden, from the outdoor kitchen area to the other side, which included an informal seating area and lawn. It was a tight space of 2.6m in width between the house extension and the boundary fence, and would seem all too easy to propose a straight path here.
A curving path slows you down intentionally, which makes the person stop and notice smaller details they may not otherwise of noticed if they were marching down a straight path.
In this garden, the path slightly curves while still allowing for planting either side of the path, constructed of random size Cottage grey limestone pavers, with a weathered surface texture laid in a running bond, which provide charm and character to the walkway, sourced from Westminster Stone.
The three birch trees were strategically located to align with the new windows of the house extension, which had views out from the dining room and lounge, to improve the views from within the house, instead looking directly at a straight fence. Once the path was constructed, the ground either side was loosened to ensure it was not compacted and a layer of gravel added, soil was then added to either side of path, allowed to settle and then the plants arrived, which were purchased from Provender Nurseries.
The plants have thrived in this location, and looking stunning along the path with their textural foliage and varying green tones, from the ferns, Astrantia major, Skimmia japonica, Tiarella ‘spring symphony.’
Before & After
Pops of colour appeared in spring from the Brunnera macrophylla and the Dicentra spectabilis, which do prefer a sheltered position, so we were hoping they would do well here despite some of the strong coastal winds which can occur in this Southern UK area, but thankfully they are looking beautiful.
Even though paths aim get the visitor from A to B, there’s no reason they can't take you on a journey, as well as framing views from different directions, so by curving a path you can tease the eye, allowing a glimpse of the destination to create a sense of exploration, and soften hard edges.
Thanks for reading, any questions, we would love to hear from you!
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