Garden Pathway Ideas for Fall

Just because it’s getting cooler doesn’t mean you have to kiss your garden goodbye. In fact, if you live in a warm climate, the newly mild temperatures may allow you to accommodate plants that were impossible to grow in the summer. If you’re not an avid gardener, you may be tempted to start winding down for winter, but use autumn as an excuse to revive your garden!

Today we feature garden pathway ideas that will inspire you to celebrate the fall. As you walk through your garden, look for areas where a dash of autumn color might embellish the greenery. If you have flowerbeds and a path in the front yard, use the walkway as an opportunity to welcome guests with festivity. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or you simply enjoy having a nice yard, take a cue from the pictures below and let them spark your imagination!

Incorporate Plants in Shades of Autumn

With a little planning ahead, you can incorporate perennials that will be in full bloom for the fall. Or better yet, simply buy them as blooms at the nursery, and plant them along your garden path in the fall. It’s never too late! Below we see native perennials lining a walkway in a Texas garden. [from Melissa Gerstle Design via Houzz]

Purple-and-orange-flowers-line-a-garden-pathway — Purple and orange flowers line a garden pathway

Some plants are naturally associated with fall. Like chrysanthemums! Vibrant in shades of yellow, orange and purple, they perfectly complement outdoor fall decor and make a lovely statement in a flowerbed lining your path. [from Interior New York]

Chrysanthemums-line-a-fall-garden-path — Chrysanthemums along a fall garden path

Another great bet for fall: ornamental kale. In fact, decorative cabbage and kale gets more colorful as the weather turns cooler, making them ideal for autumn. [from Velvet & Linen]

Ornamental-kale-along-a-garden-path — Ornamental kale lines a garden path

Who wouldn’t love a pathway lined with ornamental cabbage? Its vivid purple coloring is the perfect contrast for orange mums and other plants in shades of autumn. [from Parks Wholesale Plants]

If your garden is mostly green and you’d like to keep it that way, consider adding a couple of warm tones with plants like croton, pictured at the far right in the image below. Sometimes a burst of yellow or orange in a sea of green can be just as effective as a hefty bunch of autumn blooms. [from Fine Gardening]

A-garden-path-with-dashes-of-color — A garden pathway with dashes of color

We see a similar effect along the next garden pathway, as tall grasses in burnt orange add fall color to a green garden. Who wouldn’t want to welcome autumn with a walk along this path?! [from MSN Real Estate]

Touches-of-red-on-a-garden-path — Touches of red on a garden path

Even if your yard is xeriscaped in a “less is more” approach, consider adding a touch of fall with some orange flowers, as shown on the pathway below designed by Big Red Sun.

A-xeriscaped-garden-path — A xeriscaped garden path

Add Pumpkins to Your Garden Pathway

In the fall, it seems like wherever you go, there are pumpkins that catch your eye! From local patches to grocery store bins, bursts of orange, peach, white and other hues are hard to resist. Many of them are very affordable, so why not use them to enhance your garden path? In the image below, pumpkin tiki torches welcome visitors. For DIY info on this amazing project, check out Dofaso.com.

Pumpkins-on-a-garden-path — Pumpkins line a garden pathway

If you want the pumpkins to last for weeks, don’t cut into them just yet. Simply line the path with your pumpkins, trusting that their color and form will add plenty of interest to the area. For details on the beautiful fall arbor in the next image, check out Dofaso.com.

Don’t forget that outlining flowerbeds in pumpkins can also help define garden pathways. In the next photo, taken by blogger Pam Penick, purple and yellow blooms are enhanced by bright orange pumpkins at the Dallas Arboretum’s Autumn Festival. [from Pam Penick’s Digging]

Pumkins-and-flowers-in-a-fall-garden — Pumkins and flowers in a fall garden

Even small pumpkins or ornamental squash can make a big statement in your fall garden. Incorporate them into creative vignettes, and line your pathway with these autumnal arrangements. If your flowerbeds need a lift, put these colorful creations in the beds to fill empty spaces. [from Gigi McAdam Landscapes via Houzz]

A-garden-vignette-with-small-pumpkins — A garden vignette with small pumpkins

We couldn’t help but spotlight one last fall gardening trend: pumpkins in urns. A wonderful enhancement for pathways and doorsteps, these stackable decorative accents are affordable and easy to pull off. [from Pottery Barn]

Line-your-garden-path-with-urns-of-pumpkins — Line your garden path with urns of pumpkins

Fall gardening is a great way to spend time outdoors when the weather gets cooler. As you entertain this season, you’ll appreciate the fact that your yard is company-ready, thanks to some thoughtful gardening. It can be as easy as scattering pumpkins along the path or as involved as incorporating vibrant perennials. However you celebrate the season, Decoist wishes you a beautiful fall!