How to Design and Landscape a Strolling Garden

SIde paths should always rejoin the main path.

A strolling garden is basically a garden walk in which visitors are taken around a deliberately designed pathway to observe the various changing vistas and set views designed for that purpose. Artificial hills, artificial ponds, broad winding streams and waterfalls with islands, rocks and topiary emphasize the rustic ideal of a strolling garden. In a strolling garden there can be paths and bridges in great number and variety, with a secluded seating area tucked away in a small separate garden within the strolling garden.

Things You'll Need

• Stakes
• String
• Rake
• Mulch or pebbles

Instructions

1. Inspect your property. Walk your property and look for natural paths. Now walk your property looking for points of interest; a fallen tree that has become home to a flowering vine or a large growth of wild honeysuckle are naturally occurring features that could be accented.

2. Determine the pathway now that you have an idea of which is the most natural path and which path will take you by the most interesting features. Include a secluded area that can house a garden seat or patio furniture.

3. Mark the path. Attach the string to a stake at the entrance of the stroll and walk the path, placing stakes and looping the string about every 4 to 6 feet. It doesn’t need to be perfectly measured. Make sure the path circles around and reconnects near the entrance.

4. Use mulch or pebbles to designate the path. If you have the budget, consider adding a low white-washed fence and grass border, but if not, the mulch, pebbles or even pine straw can be used to direct traffic.

5. Highlight the entrance of the strolling garden, such as a pergola-like structure with a roof. The whole garden can be dotted with trained and shaped conifers and miniature conifers.

6. Incorporate an existing water feature, or add one. Ponds have many rocks and grass right up to the edges. This sort of strolling garden can be bounded by bamboo screens, or it can merge gradually into natural woodland. Clipped paths and interestingly shaped rocks can show up to advantage against a white-painted wall.

7. Build bridges over streams and washed-out areas. A bridge is any structure that allows passage. They can often be simple planks laid across a narrow stretch of water. There may be stepping stones across the water as well as in the gravel or moss.

8. Install a secluded sitting area that is hidden by hedges or simple slightly off the main path that has seating or perhaps a picnic table.

Tips & Warnings

• Use colored strings to mark multiple paths.

• Watch for snakes and spiders while using the strolling garden.