7 Paving types for woodland gardens

4/17/2024

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Woodland gardens are celebrated for their array of interesting foliage and shady borders full of specimen plants.

When planning a woodland garden paving may not be high on the list of priorities. However, paving can play a critical role within woodland gardens defining pathways and providing good seating areas.

The question is; what is the best paving material for woodland gardens? In this article I seek to answer this very question!

I will provide my take on the best paving for woodland gardens listing and summarising 7 types of paving material.

What is the best paving for woodland gardens?

The best paving for woodland gardens would be a natural stone with darker and multi-tonal colour variations. Such a paver will be able to resist continuous colour staining from leaf tannins, berries and bird droppings.

For this reason paving should also have a low permeability and non slip surface. Paving within woodland gardens will also most likely benefit from a good quality non slip sealant.

1. Granite

Granite has been utilised as a paving and surfacing material since ancient times. Its high density and durability makes it extremely resilient and weather resistant. Either granite setts or granite paving slabs can be a great choice especially for contemporary woodland garden designs. However, it should be recommended granite will benefit from an external grade sealant. As it is a naturally lighter tone it can be vulnerable to stains.

2. Black slate

If you wanted one paving material which is stain resistant and impermeable, black slate would be top of the bunch. Black slate has the extra advantage of being dark enough many stains will not show up on the surface. This means it is easy to keep looking its best all year round. Black slate also works well with either modern or traditional looking woodland gardens.

3. Wood style porcelain

Wood styled porcelain is a type of external grade porcelain made to look like wood. This porcelain comes in a range of natural wood aesthetic types including; Walnut, Maple, Cherry and Oak. This paving has all the typical advantages of using porcelain including, imperviousness, durability and low maintenance. At the same time its timber aesthetic makes it perfectly in keeping with a woodland garden theme.

4. Sandstone

Sandstone has become one of the most popular natural stone paving materials on the market. Not only is this extremely versatile stone beautiful it is reasonably affordable for a natural stone. Indian sandstone especially comes in a broad range of textures and colour tones. Sandstone can bring a more traditional look to woodland garden paths and patios. As sandstone is slightly porous it is advised to seal pavers with an external grade sealant!

5. Black limestone

Black limestone is a sedimentary rock loved for its dark tones and natural variation. This stone was formed over millions of years from a combination of organic material and compacted sediments. Such formation means the stone often displays mineral deposits as wells as well as shells and small fossils. The stones dark colours and varied surface makes it a perfect surfacing material for woodland gardens.

6. Natural stone setts

Natural stone setts now come in a range of materials perfect for creating decorative and robust surfacing. Traditionally granite setts were the smaller paving unit of choice and are still widely used. However there are now Sandstone, Slate and even limestone sett pavers. Setts naturally have a more traditional and historical look making them fit in well with naturalistic woodland garden designs.

7. Block paving

Block paving is a pre-cast paving block typically used to lay driveways and car ports. Due to its popularity however, block paving now includes a multitude of different styles and products. This has also made it popular for landscaping applications including patios and pathways. For woodland gardens I find cobble effect block paving like Marshalls tegula or Brett Alpha Trio, and excellent choice. These lighter blocks light sandstone will benefit from a non-slip external sealant.

Thank you for reading my article on 7 paving choices for woodland gardens! If you require paving or landscaping services do not hesitate to contact me.

Based in Amersham I offer pathway, driveway and patio laying services across Buckinghamshire. We are also experts in woodland garden planting and planting design.

For more information on our landscape services, visit our contact page here. Below I will link to our other woodland garden articles you may also find useful.

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The Author
Paul Nicolaides
BA (Hons) Dip

Paul Nicolaides has over 30 years of recreational gardening and 20 years of professional landscaping experience. He has worked for landscape contractors including design and build practices across London and the South East. In 2006 he qualified with a BA Hons degree and post graduate diploma in Landscape Architecture. In 2009 he founded Ecospaces an ecological landscaping practice which aims to improve social cohesion and reduce climate change through landscaping. In 2016 he founded Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners which designs and builds gardens across Buckinghamshire and the South East. This blog aims to provide easy problem solving information to its audience and encourage others to take up the joy of landscaping and gardening.