With the hierarchy of paths comes a hierarchy of paving materials. Bluestone and other geometric paving stones are highest. They are best for formal, wide, straight paths, such as those leading to the front door. Primary paths can also be made of brick, next down in the hierarchy. Establishing a relationship of paving material to path prominence is a major step toward successful garden design.
Paths draw visitors through the garden.
A grass path becomes the spine of a lush perennial garden, leading to a strategically placed summer-house. Once you determine the locations, widths, and paving materials for your paths, you can then see each of them as the spine of a new garden. Once you have the path in, envision it as the spine of a lush perennial garden planted on both sides of the path. Or picture the grand effect of an all e of trees shading the path as it leads down to the summerhouse. Paths create specific moods for garden visitors.