Best Way to Liven Up Paths and Steps in Your Garden

Garden paths and steps are too often ignored and neglected. Yet the addition of a few colorful plants along their edges or between their stones can swiftly transform them into important parts of the garden infrastructure that add to its overall effect.

Plants in natural stone paths

Paths formed of natural stone paving can be enlivened by planting low-growing plants in them. These plants introduce a further facet to paths, but need care and attention throughout the year. During spring and summer, take care not to step on the plants or run over them with a wheelbarrow. Also, in winter do not use salt to de-freeze frozen paving stones, nor use a shovel to remove snow from the path. However, minor problems such as these should not deter you from planting attractive plants in natural stone paths that will brighten and improve them in no time at alt. Plants to consider include:

• Acaena microphytla (New Zealand burr): Grows about 5cm (2in) high and spreads to 45cm (18in). Crimson burrs from mid­summer onwards. Also, A. buchananii, 2.5-5cm (1-2in) high and spreading to 60cm (2ft), with amber-brown burrs.
• Antennaria dioica ‘Rosea’ (cat’s ears): Mat forming up to 45cm (18in) wide, with grey-green leaves and deep pink flowers during early summer.
• Dianthus deltoides (maiden pink): Ideal for planting near the edges of paths, with flowers throughout much of summer; colors from white to pink and red.
• Saxifraga burseriana: Forms a mat about 5cm (2in) high and spreading to 30cm (12in) of blue-grey leaves; pure-white flowers during late spring.
• Thymus serpyllum (wild thyme): Mat-forming up to 7.5cm (3in) high and spreading to 45cm (18in). Grey-green leaves and flowers in a range of colors from early to late summer.

Brightening the edges of paths

The edges of paths are soon improved by planting flowering or foliage plants alongside them. They help to soften the often stark outlines of paths and to make them appear part of a garden rather than just a utilitarian feature. For each of the recommended plants that follow, the spacings between them, as well as the distances from the edge of the path, are indicated. This ensures that when plants are mature they cover the path’s edge but do not intrude too far towards the centre. Plants to consider include:

• Aethionema ‘Warley Rose’: It delights in a dry, sunny position, where it reveals deep-pink flowers on plants 10-15cm (4~6in) high during late spring and early summer. Space plants 30-38cm apart, and 15-20cm (6-8in) from the path’s edge.
• Armeria maritima (thrift): Tufted plant, forming clumps 15-20cm (6-8in) high and 25-30cm wide. Pink flowers in star-like heads appear throughout summer; several forms, including white and rose-red. Space plants 25cm (loin) apart and 13cm (5in) from the path’s edge.

• Saxifraga umbrosa (Pyrenean saxifrage): Plant a ribbon of this 30cm (12in) high, shade-loving plant with masses of pink, star-shaped flowers in sprays during late spring and early summer. Space the plants 23-30cm (9~12in) apart and 15-20cm(6-8in) from the path’s edge.

Enlivening the sides of steps

Plant creeping or arching plants at the sides of steps to add color and vitality to them. As well as clothing the sides of steps, these plants can be used to make very wide steps appear narrower and less bleak.