The Middle Path Revisited

As part of the extensive landscaping project in the front yard, a new curved walkway was installed. During the planning, however, I overlooked one important detail: the existing straight pea-stone path leading from the Middle Gate into the front yard.

2017

2025

Once the new walkway was completed, the old straight path no longer felt right. It seemed out of sync with the curved lines of the new landscape and drew the eye in a way that no longer suited the garden entry. As is often the case, one project unexpectedly led to another.

The first task was to remove the old pea stone pathway. Beneath it was a deep layer of crushed gravel that also had to be excavated by hand before any planting could begin.

Once the gravel was removed, I brought in new topsoil to restore the planting bed.

Adding the new soil became a two-day project. Two large bulk bags of soil were spread throughout the bed, followed later by a yard of mulch to finish the surface and prepare it for planting.

The work also required digging and relocating several large hostas that had grown along the driveway for many years. Their roots had become intertwined with the gravel, making removal a challenge. After lifting the heavy root balls, I carefully cut back the roots and removed as much gravel as possible before replanting them in nearly the same location, this time in amended soil topped with fresh mulch.

I then turned my attention to the planting design. An established spirea remained as an anchor for the bed.

Two globe-shaped boxwoods were planted at opposite ends of the front porch—one near the steps and the other where the old pea-stone path had once been.

A large Bowling Ball arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Bobazam') and a smaller transplanted specimen added additional globe-like structure.

Two Azaleas ('Azalea Karen') were introduced to provide seasonal color (purple in the spring)

Existing Hosta were divided and replanted throughout the bed, and red Astilbes from other parts of the garden were transplanted to weave the new planting into the rest of the landscape.

A Bonfire Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Bonfire'), was also added to the garden and will eventually become an important focal point along the walk.

The final step was to create a new approach to the Middle Gate. Rather than reinstall a straight path, I chose faux stepping stones similar to those in the Stroll Garden.

 

The Stroll Garden

The gentle curve encourages visitors to slow down as they approach the gate, creating a more natural transition between the gardens.

The remaining pea stone was removed (not the underlaying gravel), and the mulched bed from the front walkway was extended all the way to the Middle Gate threshold. The garden entrance sign and most of the existing plantings remained in place, preserving the character of the entrance while giving it a renewed sense of purpose.

A series of slate stepping stones were also incorporated into the planting bed, offering an alternate route through the garden without interrupting the flow of the design (in time, as these shrubs grow, we will need to adjust or remove these steps).

In addition, Fountain grasses, divided the previous autumn, now frame the entrance to the curved walkway with additional cuttings placed along the curved walkway.

Looking back, this project became much more than replacing an outdated pathway. It transformed what had once been a broad expanse of pea stone into a richly planted garden space filled with contrasting textures, forms, and seasonal color.

More importantly, it extends the Asian-inspired character of the Zen Garden beyond the Middle Gate and into the newly landscaped front yard. What were once two distinct garden styles—the Zen Garden and the Herb and Rose Gardens—now feel more closely connected, creating a more unified and inviting experience for anyone visiting.