Creeping thyme between pavers adds a wonderful scent when its leaves are stepped on. Irregularly spaced and sized flagstones boost the garden’s carefree nature. A large urn offers visual relief from the densely planted yard. A California lilac (Ceanothus) beside the path adds a lovely fragrance and color. Gray river rock provides interest as filler between the irregularly placed flagstone pavers on the path from the front door around the side of the house. A trio of Japanese maples provides visual texture; once full-grown, they’ll create a delightful canopy over the path. Ornamental grasses, selected for their deep shade of green and unfussy form, play off the contemporary design. Unobtrusive in scale and structure, two trees flank on either side of the path, creating privacy and coziness. Large swaths of stout perennials, including hostas and coneflowers, ensure plenty of color and texture. Irregular-sized stacked stone pieces form a casual border for the flowerbed. A tall stretch of latticework offers additional privacy for the front yard just before the path ends at the sidewalk. Larger pavers dramatically mark the end of the path, leading to a pergola and restful chair. A cascading collection of yellow, deep pink, and purple flowers softens the walkway and plays with the muted brick color. A collection of walkway planters at the end of the path helps create a sense of destination. Greenery spilling over the walkway edge give the garden an established, lush feel. Tall-growing plants gradually give way to a cascade of low-growing blooms and groundcovers. Stone pavers act as edging to keep loose gravel inside path boundaries. A large pot serves as a focal point to mark the end of the walkway. A stone bench complements the color and style of the materials in the path. Tall daylilies planted at a bend in the path create mystery by hiding what’s on the other side. An orange tree within reach of the path provides delicious treats. Grass offers a visual break between the overscale path pavers. Boxwoods delineate a transition from the front yard’s lawn to the entry door. This time in urns, two more boxwoods are repeated as the focal point at the entry door. Breaking the walkway into separate segments is a clever (and easier) way to put a path on a slope. A pair of stacked limestone columns marks the transition from the walkway to the doorway. The walkway exudes modern style with large, regularly spaced pavers interspersed with crushed rock. Metal edging marks a clear definition between the path and edge and keeps the mulch and crushed stone from intermingling. A dry creek bed echoes the path, adding drama. Mulch as edging gives the garden beds a tidy appearance, while plants supply a mix of textures and varying shades of green. A bench offers garden visitors a stopping point. Slight bends in the path add visual interest but are gentle enough that they don’t make mowing a challenge. Pavers set in a geometric pattern create subtle visual interest. Large gray planters spaced along the path offer rhythmic stopping points. Trees growing close to and over the arbor and path provide a virtual outdoor ceiling. A simple color scheme—shades of green and white—highlights the simplicity of the walkway.
