Garden PathsA Design TipOne way to begin your garden design is to first determine how, why and where you want to walk; either to a house, barn, patio, gate, secluded dell or a pleasing vantage point. This layout of paths becomes the backbone to your plan, and the basis for determining such design options as creating a mound versus a rock garden, or a dry stream versus a pond, a privacy hedge versus a specimen tree, or grass versus flowers and shrubs. If you regard a line as a series of dots touching each other, as Paul Klee did in his "Pedagogical Sketchbook," think of ways to vary your walking experience along a path. The scenery changes with every step (or dot) and by varying the topography, making curves as seen in Nature, varying the width, and utilizing a variety of plant material, your paths lead the the mysteries beyond. Such paths may be embellished with fences, gates, bridges, or seats. They may be formal and laid with stone, patterned with warm brick, carpeted with stone pebbles or strewn with pine needles. The options are endless. Keep in mind that, as in Nature, good design follows functional sense. August 1, 2008 SOURCE: Ann Nemrow EdgesAnother Design TipMy best garden tip has been to put Rosa Rugosa at the outer edge of my garden to protect it from the salt spray and everything else grows much better inside of it. July 28, 2008 SOURCE: Betsy Atkins |
