Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Sep 10, 2009 10:10 am Hi guys, We have just completed a garden path that is in the center of our front yard. We have quite a large yard so we are finding it hard to design plants to go around the path as there are no walls to plant up too. We were thinking where the path is straight just lining the path with small grass plants (sorry for the lack of knowledge ) and the curving parts of the path planting scented plants. Can anyone help with some names of low maintenance plants like want I have described? The path is just sticking out like dog balls and we would like to soften the path. Any help would be great!! Re: Best plants/design to go around garden paths? 2Sep 10, 2009 11:17 am For grass plants you could look at the range of native dianellas. They come in a variety of sizes and colours (shades of green to blues). You could plant smaller varieties close to the path edge flowing up to larger varieties further from the path. They are about as low maintenance as plants can get once they are established ! Check the natives section of your local nursery. Re: Best plants/design to go around garden paths? 4Sep 10, 2009 1:08 pm Thanks heaps guys, any other plants that people can think of? Are there mini versions of this type of grass? The reason I ask is that the path is in the middle of the yard so trying to cut the grass around these plants will be hard if their leaves are touching the ground. These plants will be great near the curves of the path as I can make garden beds there without it looking out of place. Keep the plant names coming Re: Best plants/design to go around garden paths? 5Sep 10, 2009 1:36 pm I can only comment on the varieties that I've used. Smaller dianella "cassa blue" http://www.abulk.com.au/awn/dianellacaeruleacassa.html Larger dianella "little rev" http://www.abulk.com.au/awn/dianella_revoluta.html If you look at the pics, it might give you an idea of what you can do with them. Whether you want them to clump together or to be separate 'plants'. There are other varieties including stripey ones. They can be comparatively expensive, so feel free to buy one and break it into 2,3, or 4 for planting. Another native option could be "kangaroo paw". For all of these things, check your soil type and pH will not be a problem. And prepare the soil appropriately - get some advice on this. You do not want to be fighting an uphill battle. Re: Best plants/design to go around garden paths? 6Sep 10, 2009 3:06 pm Kris000 Are there mini versions of this type of grass? The reason I ask is that the path is in the middle of the yard so trying to cut the grass around these plants will be hard if their leaves are touching the ground. These plants will be great near the curves of the path as I can make garden beds there without it looking out of place. There are lots of varieties of the different strappy plants, with seemingly more coming all the time as they are so fashionable now. One thing maybe to pay attention to with regard to maintenance around them is whether they have an upright or a drooping habit. Here's another link with some good pics. http://www.ozbreed.com.au/strappy-leaf-plants.html Maybe you could post a pic and plan, and details of your soil and climate, and we could help you narrow down the choices. Also do you want more of a mass planting effect or a mixture? Re: Best plants/design to go around garden paths? 7Sep 10, 2009 9:53 pm definitely don't plant dogs balls along the path Re: Best plants/design to go around garden paths? 8Sep 17, 2009 8:45 am JilaMint I can only comment on the varieties that I've used. Smaller dianella "cassa blue" http://www.abulk.com.au/awn/dianellacaeruleacassa.html Larger dianella "little rev" http://www.abulk.com.au/awn/dianella_revoluta.html If you look at the pics, it might give you an idea of what you can do with them. Whether you want them to clump together or to be separate 'plants'. There are other varieties including stripey ones. They can be comparatively expensive, so feel free to buy one and break it into 2,3, or 4 for planting. Another native option could be "kangaroo paw". For all of these things, check your soil type and pH will not be a problem. And prepare the soil appropriately - get some advice on this. You do not want to be fighting an uphill battle. Where do I find a soil test? From Bunnings? Once I know what my soil is like I guess my plant choice will be based on the soil type. Ha I didnt even think of soiling testing thanks JilaMint!! Re: Best plants/design to go around garden paths? 11Sep 18, 2009 11:14 am We have mini mondo grass along our path as well as something that looks similar but has light green and yellow varigated leaves. Our Bondi Greenwall was impressive from day one with advanced lush plants to provide a wow factor to this recently renovated living area. The boundary was less than 1… 0 15303 Murraya could be a great option for you. 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