Flagstone Paths: Design, Use, and Cost

Design and Use

Flagstone is an excellent choice for paths in well-traveled areas. It brings a natural elegance to the garden and is suitable for both primary and secondary paths. When flagstone is fitted together tightly and care is taken to create a clean edge, the material matches the mood created by the most stately homes and formal landscapes.

Fitted more loosely, flagstone pathways complement all other styles and sizes of homes and yards. It's preferred by professionals to use limestone and sandstone for pathways in shady areas, where the lighter hues (a gradation or variety of a color) of the stone make the pathway more visible (usually in the evening).

Granite

In hot, sunny areas, the darker tones of slate and granite create a cooling effect. Direct sunlight will also cause the rich and varied colors of granite and quartzite to sparkle and shine. If you like color and brightness in a garden, you might want to consider trying these types of stones.

Quartzite

Flagstone is sturdy whether set in mortar or not. Even the heaviest wheelbarrow loads or lawn equipment traffic will not mar or damage a properly installed flagstone path.

Cost

Flagstone prices vary greatly across the country; the closer you live to an area where stone is quarried, the less expensive the stone is. Of the many types of pathways that can be built in a garden, flagstone falls in the upper-middle cost range. We will discuss cost compared to other pathways in later blogs.

Stone Landscaping: Stone Uses (Part II)

Hello, today we are going to finish up "Stone Uses". There are a few more different uses for stone in a garden. If you are into having nature at your door, or having an ancient-like appearance in your garden, read on.

Fountains/Water Bowls

A manufactured stone fountain or a custom-built fountain of your own style can add an important element to your garden-the sound of water splashing. It gives that feeling of true nature. Just think of stone fountains as audible sculptures; any garden can be brought to new life by their presense.

Ruins

Even if you don't have a centuries-old stately manor or a castle, you can still have a stone ruin in your garden. Stone structures built to look like the remains of a stone wall or structure from centuries before, become a delightful surprise when visitors (friends/family) discover them in a garden.

Water Features

Pools, ponds, streams, and waterfalls bring a soothing sight and sound of water to a garden. It's a great visual as well, putting the mind at ease as you enjoy the beauty of nature (even though it's man-made nature). Water features give gardeners unlimited freedom to create magical, one-of-a-kind landscapes.

Now that you have an idea of what you can do with stone, our next blog will start getting into the nitty-gritty of stone landscaping. We'll be diving into stone pathways for the rest of this month. I know I've mentioned many other ways to use stone, but with so much information it's hard to cover everything at once.