1. DEVISE THE ROUTE

The first step is to devise a route that makes sense. Your walkway still gets you from point to point, but the journey is more important. You want this particular path to meander past areas of interest. These areas can include spots of beautiful landscaping within your own yard or attractive views from your yard.

If you don't think you have any areas of interest, you can create them. Look for ways to make the existing view more attractive. For instance, you could install a garden arch so it frames your house from a certain standpoint. You can also plan mini gardens or other landscaping installations for your path to meander by.

The key with your walkway's route is it must curve. The curve in the path gives a sense of mystery and encourages visitors to keep walking so they can see what's just around the bend. You can plan the route so it curves around existing structures, or you can simply curve the walkway. The path should narrow just past the curve to emphasize optical illusion of the path disappearing.

2. CHOOSE THE PATH MATERIAL

Pretty much any landscaping material will work for a romantic garden pathway. However, your choice will affect the ambience. Pea gravel is a popular and inexpensive walkway material. However, it crunches underfoot, so you'll want to decide if you want that sound to be part of the sensory experience of your walkway.

Flagstone and other pavers are also very popular. If you space out the pavers, they create the sense of stepping stones in a natural setting, which is ideal for a rustically romantic path. You probably don't want bare earth between. You can plan for hardy groundcover plants or install the pavers in a pea gravel pathway.



Materials such as brick or mortared stone give your pathway a more formal feel. You can utilize their layout to encourage a sense of movement, though. This sense comes from having the stones laid to create subtle pointers, say with a herringbone pattern.

3. PLAN FOR BORDERS

A straight line is the quickest route between points, and visitors will naturally want to follow that route. Therefore, you'll need to create beautiful borders that encourage them to stay on the path.

One way is with a hard border. This method works with a paved or pea gravel walkway. You'll choose a selection of stones or bricks to line the pathway. The border doesn't have to match the walkway material, but it should complement the walkway in some way.



Another method is to use plants. This method works with any style of pathway, and you should even use it in conjunction with the hard border. Essentially, you'll need to choose a selection of plants that are big enough that they discourage visitors from trying to step over them. You'll plant these all along the walkway.

4. ADD SENSORY EXPERIENCES

Don't forget to appeal to all the senses with your romantic pathway. Look for ways to engage all five senses with your landscaping and hardscaping.

For instance, choose fragrant and soft plants to border the walkway. You may even plant herbs or berries for a quick taste. Likewise, consider a trickling water feature such as a fountain or waterfall to engage the ears. You'll also want to ensure your walkway and its environs create visual beauty. Create mystery with plants and trees that hide the view just beyond the curve in the path.

Create a walkway that gives guests the sense of going on a journey right in your backyard. Visit The Rock Garden for all your hardscaping supplies.