Looking for materials to create pathways in your garden? There are many options to choose from but the most popular is flagstone. This is stone, which is cut and shaped round, square or rectangular and used for walkways, flooring, patios, fences, roofing and paving slabs. Why is it so popular? It’s a natural stone that varies in size, shape and tone, and it’s very durable easily blending with most types of landscapes. There are many more advantages and also some drawbacks you need to know about before using it.
Pros Of Flagstone Pathways
Flagstones are very strong and can last for a very long time if they are well taken care of.
It has a unique, rustic appearance that enhances the natural look of any garden or yard.
There is no specific pattern or special way to install flagstone. You can cut the stones into any shape and place them in any order without worrying about gaps or edges. Anyone can do it and still make it look beautiful. Flagstone pathways with different kinds of groundcovers look magical.
Flagstones do not change with the weather. They do not shrink, expand, crack, or chip even in extreme weather conditions. This means they can handle very hot or very cold climates.
Taking care of flagstone is easy. You just need to sweep and spray them to keep them clean. If there is sand, stains, or mold on the stones, you can remove it with a mix of bleach and water. The best part is, unlike tiles where you have to replace everything if one breaks, with flagstone, you can replace only the damaged piece without disturbing the rest.
Flagstone can be used for various outdoor projects like patios, stepping stones, and garden borders to create a cohesive look in your backyard.
A beautiful and durable flagstone path accented with a bit of green groundcovers is a lovely idea for many gardens and yards.
A beautiful and stylish landscape with a red maple, a flagstone path with green groundcovers, pink, purple and red blooms along the path.
A beautiful narrow side yard with a flagstone path and some moss, basket-of-gold and Veronica groundcovers plus bold foliage.
A bright flagstone pathway lined up with bold soil and bright green grass compose a chic and color-infused outdoor space.
A desert-inspired landscape with ornamental grasses and a flagstone path plus some agaves around.
A fantastic garden with various kinds of greenery and flowers, with trees, a flagstone path done with burgundy groundcovers and a pebble patio space.
A flagstone lined up with lush purple blooms like allium and lavender looks adorable and the space feels magical.
A flagstone path accented with Irish Moss, with greenery and bright flowers lining it up is a lovely solution for a garden.
A flagstone path leading to a staircase and decorated with Creeping Phlox and Irish Moss in between the stones.
A flagstone pathway accented with Irish Moss that is placed between the pieces to give the path a softer and cooler look.
A flagstone pathway accented with small green groudncovers and Prostrate Veronica for a touch of bloom and color.
A flagstone pathway looks more natural than other options, and ornamental grasses and shrubs and trees create a natural landscape.
A flagstone staircase accented with blooming groundcovers like Soapwort and Phlox and lined up with pretty Japanese-inspired lanterns.
A gorgeous flagstone path with pebbles and super colorful blooms including pansies and greenery are a beautiful combo for a colorful garden.
A gorgeous flagstone staircase accented with various types of blooming and non-blooming groundcovers like Baby Tears and Creeping Phlox.
A gravel and flagstone path leading to a raised garden bed with bold blooms and a bird bath.
A green lawn and a stone path accented with the same grass is a very natural and cohesive combo to rock in the garden.
A grey stone pathway lined up with greenery and blooms is a pretty and natural-inspired idea for a garden or a backyard.
A jaw-dropping flagstone staircase done with several kinds of groundcovers in blush and purple is absolutely gorgeous.
A large stone path lined up with greenery and shrubs is a perfect addition to the front yard, great for a red brick facade.
A lovely blooming garden with greenery, a garden arbor with blooms and greenery and a flagstone path for a more natural and less manicured feel.
A lovely side yard with a flagstone path decorated with moss, greenery and blooms along it and a wooden gate for a cottage feel.
Cons Of Flagstone Pathways
Because flagstones are heavy, installing them can take a bit longer even though it is easy to do.
Flagstone can become very hot in summer and very cold in winter. It is also slippery when it is wet. The natural surface can be uneven, which may be challenging for walking or moving garden equipment.
Weeds can grow between the stones if the gaps are not filled or maintained properly.
If you plan to install flagstone on sand, the stones might shift if the sand underneath is not level and stable. However, this is not a problem if you install them on concrete.
The uneven shapes and sizes of flagstones can make installation more labor-intensive compared to uniform pavers. That can make the installation process more costly.
A lush green garden with a lot of types of greenery, shrubs and trees, a flagstone path decorated with moss in between the stones.
A natural-looking stone pathway with bold shrubs, greenery and grasses is cohesive part of the landscape.
A nature-inspired landscape with greenery, trees and shrubs and a stone pathway with green groundcovers.
A neutral flagstone path contrasts the ground and defines the space in a cool way.
A pretty warm-colored flagstone pathway lined up with colorful tulips looks super cool and create a bold combo.
A shady side yard done with greenery, blooming bushes, a green arch and a flagstone path is a very cozy nook.
A side yard done with pink blooms and greenery, dark shrubs and a stone pathway accented with green groundcovers.
A stone path done with basket-of-gold touches and lined up with ferns for a woodland-inspired look in the garden.
A stone path done with Irish Moss for a cuter and softer look is a beautiful idea for a garden.
A stylish flagstone path with gravel between the stones is a very long-lasting solution for any garden, and it looks neat and elegant.
A welcoming outdoor space with greenery and moss, a flagstone path with green groundcovers and a living fence.
A wide stone path decorated with Creeping Phlox in purple is a fabulous idea for a garden or some other outdoor space.
Accent your flagstone path with Creeping Phlox to make simple stones look adorable and magical.
An elegant flagstone path accented with the same grass as the lawn is featuring is a cool idea for a stylish and chic garden.
An elegant side yard done with a living fence, white tulips along the flagstone path, a bird bath and some greenery.
An ornated flagstone path done with inserts of moss and pebbles and some sedge is amazing for a fantasy or magical garden.
Elegant garden beds with blooms and trees, a green lawn with a flagstone path and grass between the stones compose a gorgeous front yard.
Flagstone looks very natural and cool with gravel, so if you are looking for two hardscape materials, choose this combo.
Flagstone will give your manicured lawn a more natural and rough look.
Gravel and flagstone are a nice combo, and ornamental grasses will help you create a natural-looking landscape.
If you have a rock garden or just some rocks in the landscape, a flagstone pathway will look very cohesive and natural in the space.
If you want to accent the stone path, you may cover the ground around with something contrasting if you don't want greenery or blooms.
Line up your flagstone path with colorful blooms like here to give it an even more spectacular look.
Pair flagstones with pebbles for a more natural look, this is a durable and practical solution.
The darker the ground and the bolder the foliage around, the more your neutral flagstone pathway will stand out.
Pathways Design Ideas
Flagstone walkways can be designed with curves for a natural look and can incorporate stones of varying colors for added visual interest. Mix different colors and shapes for a unique artistic look.
Highlight the use of borders with plants or decorative elements, and the option to fill gaps between stones with materials like river rocks or gravel.
Add colorful stones, tiles, or decorative elements within the path to create focal points and visual interest.
If you’re going for a rustic look, use large flagstones as stepping stones set in grass or gravel.
Use smooth, large flagstones with surrounding sand or gravel to create a serene, minimalist pathway.
Pair irregular flagstones with colorful flowers and shrubs for a charming, cottage-like look.
Additional Tips
- Install pathway lights along the edges or incorporate solar lights between stones for nighttime illumination.
- Think about integrating small fountains or water channels alongside the path for added tranquility.
- Widen sections of the pathway to create small seating areas with benches or chairs.
- To create some shade, install arches or trellises over the pathway and let climbing plants grow over them.