A quick glance at this welcoming walkway inspires a sense of exploration. Rather than hurrying past, you want to kneel down for a closer look at what lines this path. Find out what steps we took to plan this walkway, but do be ready for a surprise because…

…we started with a nearly blank canvas! Before you plant, you need to make sure your path fits its purpose. Here’s how:

• Base the width on its use. A maintenance path need only be wide enough for your wheelbarrow, but a walkway meant for strolling can be up to 4 ft. across. We made ours wide enough for one traveler at a time.
• Determine the shape your path will take. A walkway that’ll see high traffic works best as a straight line; a few slight curves add interest to a walkway for passing through. Our slight bend doesn’t slow anyone down.
• Choose the right material for your path. Stone steppers, like the ones shown, are casual and easy to install.

Next, check out how plants make this path perfect!

Repeated mounding coral bells and upright Siberian iris give this garden a variety of interesting shapes. When choosing other plants for the path, avoid feeling hemmed in by putting taller growers mid- to back of the border. Here, short dianthus and sweet alyssum keep the walkway open and add color next to the path. Be sure to keep branches trimmed around where you walk — especially scratchy plants like the juniper by the gate.

A – Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis ‘Prince of Wales’)

B – Coral bells (Heuchera ‘Obsidian’)

C – Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima Wonderland™ Deep Purple)

D – Dianthus (Dianthus ‘Firewitch’ (‘Feuerhexe’))

E – Siberian iris (Iris sibirica ‘Ceasar’s Brother’)