“Lines of Desire” - Pathways in Garden Design

Human Nature

As humans, we typically like the most direct route to pretty much anything in life - travel, money, completion of a task...even garden paths.  In his books and television programs, Monty Don has often talked about "lines of desire" when it comes to routes taken within a garden.  People will find the most convenient or shortest path to wherever they are going.  This is quite accurate for me in my own garden as I'm walking around to various areas.  In the center garden, there are several intersecting grass walkways.  If I'm doing anything other than a casual stroll through the garden to enjoy it, I find myself cutting across a bed and through a gap in a hedge that isn't fully mature or striding right next to the edge and corner of a path to shave a pace off the journey.

Don't Fight "Lines of Desire" - Work With Them

Monty has given us some excellent and common sense advice when it comes to pathways - Don't Fight "Lines of Desire".  He counsels us to make a path as straight and direct as possible if it leads to something like a compost bin, shed, or storage area.  However, if you want to slow down the pace for the sake of meandering and enjoying the garden while strolling leisurely through it, the path should snake and curve.  Now, obviously, you can stroll and enjoy a leisurely walk through the garden on a straight path just as easily as a meandering one. The main point to be made is when people are making their way to an area on a frequent basis or want to get there quickly, then that path should be as straight and direct as possible.  Or they may wear a path in the "line of desire" that leads most efficiently to where they want to go.

Chris

chris@greenpenlandscapes.com