A stone path, in concert with a well-designed garden, will ensure a visual association between the house and your outdoor living space. The formality or informality of your pathway is dictated by the exiting architecture  of your home: a geometric, straight path would be fitting for a formal home, and curved path with irregularly shaped stones will compliment a less formal architectural style. The choice for color, size and shape and texture of stone you choose for your pathway are infinite, but the materials you use for the entrance to your home should be apply to the back as well. Spacing is important. Place stepping stones close together where you want to draw attention to special planting. Place them further apart where planting is broader in scale. Place 10” apart to move visitors quickly through your garden. You may want to plant thyme or ladyslippers to create an interesting stone carpet; the fragrance will appeal to the senses: Slightly curved paths establish a gentle flow and define the space. Paths should be wide enough for two people to walk side by side. Four (or better, five) feet customary in well-designed landscape.

A natural sloping and open site is ideal for a rock garden. Plants such as alpines and evergreens grow well in a rock garden. A sloping lawn can be transformed into a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant rock garden oasis.

For the same reason the plants and rocks go together, stone and water go together. Either a dramatic or subtle look can be achieved by cutting a hole in a stone or rock and adding a pump underneath to create a small fountain. Imagine the serenity of water trickling over moss-covered rock and flowing into a small Japanese-style rock garden. You can also create an enchanting illusion of running water by arranging a sinuous pattern of gravel in the landscape. In our own garden, river rock and boulders complement a cascading waterfall while field stone complements our pond.