Path Materials in Water Conservation Landscape Design

Paths in a water-wise garden use traditional hardscape materials -- like pavers, concrete, bricks, river rock, pebbles and pea gravel. How they differ from non-water-wise landscape design lies with what's growing -- or not growing -- between and surrounding the pathway materials. While many walkways are placed across a carpet of grass, the growing stuff on a waterwise pathway might be a drought-tolerant groundcover -- like thyme or stonecrop -- or another hardscape material, like bark or loose aggregate.

The same landscape design rules apply to pathways in a water conservation garden as they do in traditional landscaping. A straight path is formal, while a curving path presents a meandering feeling. A curving pathway that does not have an end in sight lends an air of mystery, intrigue and the possibility that your outdoor space is large, even if it isn't.

Around the Corner	Log Path	Mixed Materials	Path Less Traveled
Taking the Succulent Path	Zoysia Path	Steps	Deck on Side