When I began learning about garden design, I became intrigued with paths – no – make that obsessed. Maybe it dates back to my childhood memories of The Wizard of Oz. Who doesn’t remember when Dorothy reaches a crossroads on her journey to the Wizard and is confused about which way to go ~ and how the talking tree chimes in with his opinion?
Fran Sorin Garden – top level in backyard
Fran Sorin Garden- Front Pathway
The dictionary describes a path as:
~ a way beaten, formed, or trodden by the feet of persons or animals.
~ a narrow walk or way: a path through a garden; a bicycle path.
~ a route, course, or track along which something moves: the path of a hurricane.4.
Paths are a lot more than that. They can create a sense of mystery. Or a feeling of excitement, anticipation and fear ~ even a journey into the unknown. And when it comes to garden making, without well laid out paths, our gardens are chaotic.
Sorin Cutting Garden
When I designed my cutting garden, I used mulch for the pathway. I wanted an easy to maintain, non-formal walkway that would allow flowers to flop in a natural, overgrown style.
Chanticleer Hillside Garden – hidden stone path
The stepping stone pathway at Chanticleer’s hillside garden is practically invisible until you set foot on it.
Jacqueline van dre Kloet garden
Aspen Colorado
The trampled grass is an unspoken pathway that leads hikers towards the mountain.
Chanticleer -walkway to Tea Cup Garden
Although this stone entry ‘walkway’ to the Tea Cup garden doesn’t qualify as a pathway – it is too wide – I couldn’t resist inserting it in. Why? Because – when walking through it, the visitor has no sense of what’s beyond. The wall – upon which the bicycle is leaning – keeps the visitor in a ‘not knowing’ state until she walks through an entryway and then – POW – in a split second, the Tea Cup garden ignites all of your senses.
Chanticleer Cutting Garden
The straight grass pathway is perfect for maintaining a sense of geometry and allowing a sweeping overview of the cutting garden in all of its glory.
If you’re interested in reading other articles I’ve written about paths on Gardening Gone Wild, click on the links below.
Pathways In The Garden ~ At Chanticleer
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NOW IT’S YOUR TURN. Tell us about paths you’ve created in your garden or a favorite path you’ve been on.
Quite gorgeous! I love those mysterious paths. Just recently I was browsing Garden Notes (BHG dot com) and of course, as always, ended up browsing page after page of sheer beauty. I remember I arrived on a slideshow of “Glorious Garden paths” and they were so beautiful.
I agree that paths really create a big part of a garden’s feel. I think my favorite paths are grass paths between tall flower borders, as well as red brick/paver.
And who can NOT resist following a path? They beckon us forward to explore what is to come.
SOOOO, excellent I’m sharing on my Doc Peg is IN page on FB. Fran, this post crosses my passion for gardens/orchids/growing green and conflict work (my Doc Peg personna). Paths are a wonderful metaphor, a way of mystery and clarification and living through ambiguity. So, you see why I am sharing. thanks as always, Peggy
I really like the Jacqueline van dre Kloet garden and path, it meanders into the borders every now and again!!
Hi Fran,
Thanks for your post on paths and your earlier posts on your paths and on Chanticleer’s — they are all beautiful! I have been modifying the paths in my garden for several reasons, the most important being “visitability” for my less-abled friends and family, and for accessibility for me because I now use a walker/rollator.
My paths have had to be broadened (to at least 36 inches to accommodate a wheel chair) hardened (to make it easier to roll without sinking into mulch) and, in some instances, repositioned to remove the necessity of having steps to get from one point to another. I started the revisions as a way to avoid accidents in the garden, but have found that it has taken on a bit of a life of its own as others lesser abled have been able to visit our garden and enjoy it with us.
It is an ongoing project, but one that is meeting with some success. I have written about some of our efforts in my blog at http://gardenaginginplace.com and would welcome any insights you have on accommodating wheelbarrows, lawn carts, and wheeled people in the garden.
Shenandoah – Thanks for sharing how and why you are revising the pathways in your garden. It sounds like it has gone from being a ‘it’s time to do this’ type of project to one filled with fun, rewards, and i would guess it’s stretching your creativity muscles as well. Great stuff. Fran
Peggy – I do see how a post on pathways intersects with your passion. And yes, the metaphor for living a life of ambiguity is a great one. Am going to get on your website as soon as I finish commenting. Thanks for chiming in. Fran
Gareth -
Jacqueline is an international ‘super star’ designer. Although her garden is sweet and gentle, the design, plantings, and bones – including the pathways, are meticulous and a creative masterpiece. Fran
Pam -
Yes, I feel a sense of childlike wonder I read your words ‘who can NOT resist following a path?’ Children do it without thinking ~ wonder, curiosity, etc prompts them. We adults can learn a lot from them – and from paths
Fran
Vidya -
Why am I not surprised that you browse through garden photos. Pathways are finally getting the attention they deserve in the gardening world – They are not only necessary but can add so much to a garden. I haven’t been on BHG’s site in a long time. You’ve prompted me to do so. It’s great to see you on GGW- It does my heart good to know that you’re enjoying it. xxoo-Fran
Jason – Good choices for your favorites. You prompted me to think what my favorite one is ~ I LOVE a mowed pathway surrounded by a meadow or tall grasses on either side that haven’t been mown. (but that could change tomorrow). Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Fran
Hi Fran. I, too, love a path. I also like a place to sit in the garden, and a path’s a nice way to get there. Even if you don’t use it, that path and that sitting area are like an open invitation … come when you can!
The other thing about paths, is that kids love them. So do dogs.
That’s my take on designing with paths.
Jeannie
Jeannie -
Fran
Your take is a great one. How true that children and dogs love them. I remember when Longwood Gardens created an indoor maze for children. I got lost in watching the kids run through the paths. And now you’re reminding me that when I deadhead or am weeding and look up to see the garden, it is the path the leads my eyes towards the ‘surprise’ or a ‘focal’ point.
Shenandoah – a post script. I just got on your site and ‘liked’ it. You’ve got some great stuff – love the giveaway. I have dealt with wheelbarrows – always by making my paths wider than 36″ (that’s it I think). I have not dealt with wheeling people into the garden. As you already mentioned, it’s not just the width but the material of the path. If I come across any new ideas, I’ll send onto you.
Fran
Loved this compilation of paths, each one unique and all useful giving the gardens they are laid in channels of movement. I have a favorite path that I walk daily in the lower 3 acres of the naturalized meadow in our gardens. It’s two riding mower passes wide and about a 1/2 mile in length cut into a flowing serpentine pattern. When on that path, it’s just you and the field and sky. We call it the “meditation path” because of the feeling of grounding we get from it. It forces one to observe the natural minutiae that would otherwise go unnoticed. Love your blog-Sandi
Sandi-
Ahhhh- I can see and smell your pathway. How divine – serpentine and a long stretch of land. I understand why you call it the meditation path. Talk about nature and you – in silence together- as one. Thanks so much for your thoughts. They are beautiful. Fran
What a beautiful pathway, Makes you feel like you’re in a garden of eden.
Hi Fran,
I’ve been treading the pathway of Life and there have been many interesting ones that I have walked…..and many more to come. Thankyou for the visual feast and with words to match.
Be good to yourself
David
Life Coach. Listener. Life Lover.
Hi Fran,
Garden paths do add beauty and can divide up the garden in an interesting way. Love all your pictures – beautiful!
What splendid photos!
I love the surprise and drama of paths. And I find it intriguing how sometimes, despite the best intention of a garden planner, one can see how visitors have deviated from the prescribed route to follow their own “desire path” – through grass or trees, perhaps – towards something that has stirred their imagination. Paths are for me a vital part of a landscape, part of its essential mystery.
Fran,
I love the new site. It is absolutely gorgeous. I so enjoy looking at all the beautiful photos of gardens too.
xoxo,
Angela
Thanks Angela. I could spend hours looking at photos of gardens ~ and better yet, I can spend days being in them.
Fran
Jerry-
As I’m having my morning coffee and reading your comment, I’m thinking to myself – ‘Hmmmm….what a beautiful thought – one that more people should subscribe to’. Your words are a lovely way for me to begin my day. Thank you. Fran
Mark – I love your thought. Imagine if each of us carried it in our hearts as we walk down a pathway
Fran
Cathy-
Designing paths effectively is the foundation of a great garden ~ Fran
David-
Am glad you feel it was a visual feast. And yes, paths in the garden are a great metaphor for the paths of life. Fran
i have a few clients w/ really huge yards – one of them is 300 acres. i used to be so baffled as to how to begin such a job as that, but now it’s much easier since i began to base my designs on the paths. the first thing i do is map out where people are walking on the land – where the natural footpaths are and then i look at whether any need to be modified for any reason. another really point about paths is access points – where do people need to have access and where would you like to see them accessing more – woods? vegetable garden? once i’ve done that, the design all falls into place. i really like paths where you can’t quite see where they go to – maybe just a little hint. i guess the natural progression would be to now talk about destination points…
thanks for the interesting article!
Pete-
You raise a lot of good points. The gestalt of what you wrote is that you listen to the land – the ‘genus loci’ – it tells you what to do ~ what you’re describing is not about imposing what you want the paths to be but letting the functions and ‘natural paths’ lead you in your design. Really good information Pete. Thank you ~ Fran
Great job fran..keep writing more informative blogs.
Thanks grass guy!