Flagstone is a sedimentary rock made of hardened layers of sand, clay and organic matter. This composition results in a rich variety of colours and shading that depend on the region of origin and make an excellent feature of any landscape gardening design. Indeed, flagstone is known for its variegated coloration, making it a favourite for hardscaping. Utilize sandstone as the centrepiece of a lovely pathway.
Flagstone Colours
The coloration of flagstone varies widely depending on the region of origin. For instance, flagstone from the Northwest is comprised largely of sandstone and quartz, giving it rich warm colours veined with green and grey. Stone quarried from the Central Plains offers lighter, brighter tones of grey, blue and brown. Sandstone from the Northeast is darker and more muted in colour. The coloration you choose depends on the façade of your home – look for sandstone that has shades that match or complement your house. You can also talk to a local landscaping company about what kinds of flagstone would look best with your home, and discuss what materials are easy to source locally.
Path Layout
Flagstone is normally snapped or cut to provide a flat surface, making it ideal for walkways. Many homeowners like to have the material cut into regular squares for a straight layout in their walkway. This gives a formal appearance. This geometric design can also be used for a curved path. If you want the walkway to look more natural, leave flagstone in its natural shape. Contractors can still lay the stone close together, or you can have a casual path with deliberate space between the stones, which is especially attractive for curved garden pathways.
Complementary Hardscaping
If you choose a casual path layout, you may not need additional paving. However, a border is appropriate in a more formal path. Brick works well to impose a sense of regularity on the irregular colour variegation in sandstone. You could also utilize concrete stained in a complementary colour. The Landscaping Network also suggests combining flagstone with wood. For example, if you have a wooden deck, have the flagstone laid right up to the edge. It’s even possible to pull the flagstone into the design of the deck, perhaps for the construction of a fire pit.
Complementary Landscaping
Whether your path is straight and formal or curved and casual, you’ll want to integrate landscaping into the design. For a formal pathway, consider manicured hedges or regular plantings of short flowers. Think of the landscape designin a formal garden. On the flip side, a walkway with spaced flagstone looks charming with ground-cover plants surrounding each stone. It’s also possible to flag the path with natural plantings that grow slightly over the borders.
