I love all your paths. And I'd love to see a closeup of the gazebo. Everything is very nicely laid out - a very serene garden in which to relax.

Mary

Thank you for your kind comments, Mary. The paths were actually the first thing to go in my garden! The paths defined my planting areas. Probably the wrong way to go about it, but that's ok! I walk these paths (there are more you can't see in this photograph) every morning with a cup of coffee in hand.

Here is a semi-closeup of the gazebo.
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And here's a very close-up of the gazebo.

Oh, wow!! I love the window boxes on your gazebo and your rock borders. In fact, I love everything - your color choices, your plant choices, the gazebo itself. You should be very proud of what you've accomplished. I know that had to take a lot of hard work.

Mary

Beautiful layout! What did you use to line your paths?

Thank you both. It's so nice to share a photograph or two with encouraging people.
We all know just how hard work gardening can be, but you know what? I've found that it is my stress reliever. And I feel that I'll be leaving the world a little better than I found it. Funny story from today--my cell phone rings and I answer. My friend asks where I am. I respond that I'm looking through the plants at Home Depot. She didn't miss a beat when she asked, "Rough day, huh?" She knows me. She knows that my stress reliever is to buy a plant or two or three and go home to play in the dirt.

Natal, the paths are made of pea gravel. I would love to have flagstone paths, but I can't afford that many stones. Gravel does ok for me. The paths are probably one of my favorite parts of the garden. Ever since I was a young girl, I loved walking paths.

I love your paths and the plantings around the gazebo as well as the gazebo itself are so inviting. Your new beds are going to be outstanding in a year.

Did you lay down the paths yourself?

uhm...that is the gazebo that Steven and I were going to remove last year...when you weren't looking :)

I can't believe how incredibly fabulous your garden looks. I LOVE the paths and the rocks and the colors...every little detail. It is exquisite. c

Thank you a2zmom and Carolyn. Yes, my husband and I laid every path. We would try out a design by laying down an old yellow hose and look at it for a few days. When we were sure that it was right for us, my husband hammered down an edging and I brought in gravel--one cartload at a time! Then we'd rake it to spread it. Whew! But, like I said, I love a path so it was worth the trouble to me!

Carolyn, it's so good to see you back posting! I swear we need to get together and visit each other's gardens one day! I just bet your place is coming together nicely. Our new project this year is a sunny area on the east side of the front drive. It's about to wear us out! I'll post pictures when it's done. Whew!

Hey Bama I too would love to see your gardens and visit. You can e-mail me from GW. No my garden is looking pretty poorly. The lack of rain and some poor planning on my part has led to my halting all planting til I can figure out where to go from here. Any time you would like to see it though let me know. I can sure use an expert eye such as yours ! c

Bama ~ Your gardens, paths and gazebo are wonderful. It's nice to have distance to view what you have created. Look forward to seeing more pictures from you.

FlowerLady

I'm late to this forum today (been on a lavender farm...story later).

I think you did well by laying out your paths and "rooms" first. It won't be long before it's all filled in. It looks so well manicured and groomed! Talk about NO WEEDS! :-)

The gazebo looks like a very special retreat, too. The flowers ...in the ground and in boxes... against it are wonderful.

Cameron

I used to measure distances in miles. Now I measure in gasoline. You're $47.74 from me, 'Bama. (Round trip, in the truck.) You'll must post more photos for the indulgence of us all.

Caroline, don't be discouraged. We're in between the April pretties and the July wonderment. Things look bad all over, except at 'Bama's place and Cameron's.

Pardon me while I go drag more hoses.

Nell

I know that gardening is work. But I am in awe of the magnitude of work some of you folks have put in, as well as in awe of the results. Splendid, Bamateacher! Maybe I should rock your boat with some bad English, splendiflorus, just for fun!!

Lorna

I am speechless. This has to be one of the most beautiful gardens I've ever seen !

Excuse me for barging in like this , but I had to compliment "Bamateacher" on her amazing garden.

Manuela ,

romanian newbie gardener

The fact that you and your husband did all the work on those paths by yourself just makes me even more impressed. That must have been a tremendous effort but the result was worth it.

Thank you all for your supportive and encouraging words. I have learned so much from all of you.

Cameron, I had to laugh at the "no weeds" statement. My garden is positively rampant in places with weeds. I really am slack in that department. :( I have a fothergilla planted with some hostas on one path and when I walked by this morning, I noticed the weeds were almost as tall as the hosta. Oops. Can't be arsed with pulling the suckers this morning--quickly looked the other way.

Nell, you bring that truck right on up here. Carolyn and I could meet you for lunch and a day out nursery hopping. :) Then we can all come back here and pull weeds. LOL!

Lorna, I have found that the hard work of gardening is my stress reliever. When things get rough, I go play in the dirt. :)

Manuela, thank you so much for that wonderful compliment. Our garden is a work in progress. There are as many eyesores as there are eyecandies. But that's what gardening is all about, right? :)

You guys are terrific. Thanks.

I have to agree with everyone that you and your husband did wonderfully on the paths, but the gazebo and lovely surrounding garden is even better! Just the place for some of Cameron's lavendar lemonade! ;)

Thanks for explaining how you did the paths, that really helped me. I love the idea of laying hose and thinking on it a few days.

Yes catankgirl, the hose layout let us look at it from lots of places in the garden and also to walk it awhile. Both the look and feel were important to us. :) We have one more area we want to wind a path through, but we always wait for winter to do that. Then most of the underbrush is gone, too, and we can try out more ideas. Plus we're not busy with planting and, like Nell, dragging hoses around! The paths in the photo were put down over the three years we've been gardening--not all in one year.

-Sharon

Beautiful garden. Love the paths. Gazebo is so inviting. Great job.

that is beautiful!