When I first moved into our home, the garden pathways were just… well, paths.
But after years of gardening with three kids running around, I’ve discovered that walkway borders can make any garden path feel special and welcoming.
Let me share my favorite plants that have turned our boring old paths into something truly beautiful!
The 7 Walkway Border Plants
1. Alyssum
I absolutely adore how alyssum creates a soft, welcoming entrance to our garden paths.
These tough little plants produce the sweetest clusters of tiny flowers in white, pink, and purple, creating what I like to call a “living carpet.”
My favorite part? When the evening rolls around and the kids are winding down, the gentle fragrance fills our garden with the most delightful scent.
Just make sure to give them plenty of sun and well-drained soil – they’re sun worshippers just like my youngest!
2. Lady’s Mantle
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance showstopper like I was, Lady’s Mantle is your answer.
The velvety leaves are absolutely magical in the morning – my daughter calls them “fairy catchers” because of how they hold dewdrops that glisten in the early sun.
I’ve found it’s perfect for hiding those awkward edges where our path meets the lawn, and it creates this gorgeous cottage garden feel I’ve always dreamed of.
3. Begonias
Begonias have become my go-to solution for those tricky shaded sections of our walkway.
These versatile beauties come in so many varieties that I’ve become a bit of a collector (don’t tell my husband!).
What I love most is how they thrive in our partially shaded areas where other plants have given up – and if you’re in a hot climate like we are, go for the dark-leaved varieties.
4. Zinnias
Oh, how my garden changed when I discovered zinnias!
These cheerful flowers come in every size imaginable, from cute little border plants to impressive 4-foot-tall beauties that make my kids feel like they’re walking through a flower forest.
They’re real heat lovers (just like my middle child), and I’ve found they’re happiest when directly sown into warm spring soil.
5. Hornbeam
Looking for something a bit more structured? Hornbeam has been my secret weapon for creating definition along our longer pathways.
What sold me was its adaptability – whether your soil is wet or clay-like (mine’s both), hornbeam just keeps on thriving.
I love watching the leaves change from bright spring green to golden yellow in fall, giving us a beautiful show through every season.
6. Hosta
Hostas have been my saving grace in the shady spots where nothing else would grow.
Their large, lush leaves create this amazing tropical feel, and there are literally hundreds of varieties to choose from.
My personal favorites are the blue-leaved varieties that look absolutely stunning against our stone pathway.
Some even surprise us with sweet-smelling flowers in summer – an unexpected bonus that delights my kids every year.
7. Lavender
Saving the best for last – lavender has completely transformed our walkway experience.
Every time we brush past it on our way to the front door, it releases this amazing aroma that instantly makes me feel like I’m on vacation in Provence.
Pro tip from this busy mom: give it a light pruning after the first bloom, and you’ll be rewarded with a second show of those gorgeous purple flowers.
The bees and butterflies it attracts have turned our simple garden path into an educational experience for the kids – we love counting the different pollinators that visit throughout the day!