Beautiful plants for a walkway can transform a plain path into a welcoming garden feature. The right greenery softens edges, adds seasonal color, and defines the flow of your outdoor space.
Instead of relying only on stone or brick borders, you can use lush foliage or blooming plants to bring life and texture to your paths. Many of these options are low-maintenance and thrive in containers, edging beds, or directly in the ground.
With thoughtful choices, your walkway can become both functional and visually inviting. Here are 22 plants that make perfect companions for garden paths and walkways.
#1. Hydrangea
Source: Home Stratosphere
Hydrangeas add drama with their big clusters of pink, blue, or white flowers. Plant them along wider walkways to create a cottage-garden feel. They prefer moist, well-draining soil and morning sun with afternoon shade.
Water deeply once or twice a week in hot weather. Pruning after flowering keeps shrubs healthy and blooming year after year. Their showy presence makes any path feel elegant.
#2. Ferns
Source: Deborah Silver
Ferns bring lush greenery and texture to shaded walkways. They thrive in moist soil with filtered light, perfect for woodland-style gardens. Use them as edging plants to soften stone or gravel paths.
Keep the soil consistently damp but avoid waterlogging. Mulch around their roots to retain moisture in summer. Their delicate fronds create a calming, natural look.
#3. Impatiens
Source: Gardener’s Path
Impatiens brighten shady paths with blooms in pink, red, purple, and white. They do best in fertile soil and are partial to full shade. Water regularly to prevent wilting during hot afternoons.
Plant them close together for a carpet of color along borders. Deadhead flowers to keep them blooming longer. These cheerful plants instantly make narrow walkways lively.
#4. Coral Bells
Source: Gardenia.net
Coral Bells stand out with vibrant foliage ranging from deep purple to lime green. Their airy flower spikes attract pollinators in summer.
Grow them in well-draining soil and partial shade for the best color. Water moderately and mulch to hold soil moisture. Divide clumps every few years to keep plants thriving. Their colorful leaves provide year-round interest along paths.
#5. Coleus
Source: Pinterest
Coleus offers bold, patterned leaves in striking shades of red, green, and yellow. It thrives in containers or borders, bringing color even without flowers.
Plant it in rich soil and keep it moist but not soggy. Pinch back stems to encourage bushy growth. Give it morning sun and afternoon shade for vibrant foliage. This plant turns a walkway into a living painting.
#6. Geranium Cranesbill
Source: Gardenia.net
Geranium Cranesbill is a hardy perennial that blooms all summer. Its mounding shape makes it perfect for soft walkway borders.
Plant it in full sun or part shade with well-drained soil. Cut back after flowering to encourage fresh blooms. Water moderately, especially during dry spells. Its simple flowers add charm without overwhelming your path.
#7. Primrose
Source: Britannica
Primroses bloom early, adding cheerful color at the start of spring. They do well in moist, humus-rich soil and partial shade. Space them along paths for splashes of yellow, pink, or purple.
Keep the soil evenly damp to prolong blooming. Remove spent flowers to keep plants tidy. Their bright faces make every step down your walkway feel joyful.
#8. Dead Nettle
Source: Guzman’s Garden Center
Dead Nettle is a ground cover with silver-patterned leaves and small purple blooms. It thrives in shady spots and spreads quickly to fill edges.
Grow it in well-drained soil and water moderately. Trim back runners if it spreads too far. It stays attractive even when not in bloom. This plant is perfect for softening the edges of stone paths.
#9. Astilbes
Source: Name That Plant
Astilbes bring feathery plumes of pink, red, or white flowers in midsummer. They prefer rich, moist soil and partial shade. Plant them in groups for a cloud-like effect along walkways.
Keep the soil consistently damp to avoid wilting. Mulch helps retain moisture and protects roots. Their airy flowers add a romantic feel to garden paths.
#10. Mose Rose
Source: Better Homes&Gardens
Moss Rose is a sun-loving plant with bright blooms that open in the morning. It thrives in sandy, well-drained soil and requires little water. Perfect for hot, sunny walkways, it spills gracefully over edges.
Deadhead blooms to keep flowers coming all season. Use it in rock gardens or along gravel paths. Its cheerful flowers add energy to summer borders.
#11. Irish Moss
Source: The Spruce
Irish Moss forms a soft green carpet that looks like velvet underfoot. It grows well in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Perfect for filling spaces between stepping stones, it creates a tidy edge.
Keep the soil evenly moist, especially in hot weather. Its tiny white flowers in spring add subtle beauty. This plant makes paths look lush and inviting.
#12. Liriope
Source: The Spruce
Liriope, also known as lilyturf, is a tough edging plant with grassy leaves. It produces spikes of purple flowers in late summer. Plant it in sun or shade with almost any soil type. It tolerates drought once established, making it low-maintenance. Divide clumps every few years to prevent overcrowding. Its clean lines define walkways beautifully.
#13. Boxwoods
Source: Gardening Know How
Boxwoods are classic shrubs for neat, formal walkway borders. They grow well in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Prune regularly to maintain their tidy shape.
Water deeply in dry weather to keep foliage healthy. Use them for symmetrical edges along long paths. Their evergreen leaves provide structure year-round.
#14. Hornbeam Hedges
Source: iStock
Hornbeam Hedges create tall, elegant screens along walkways. They tolerate pruning well and can be shaped to your preference. Plant them in fertile, well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade.
Water regularly during their first year to establish roots. Once mature, they’re hardy and resilient. Their dense foliage adds privacy and shade to paths.
#15. Hostas
Source: Bob Villa
Hostas are shade-loving plants with bold, lush foliage. They grow well in moist, fertile soil and prefer partial to full shade. Plant them along shaded walkways for a cooling effect.
Water regularly during hot spells to prevent wilting. Divide clumps every few years for healthier growth. Their varied leaf shapes and colors make paths look elegant.
#16. Ilex
Source: Gardener’s World
Ilex, or holly, provides glossy green leaves and bright berries. Plant it in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. It works beautifully as a low hedge along walkways.
Water regularly when young, then reduce as it matures. Prune lightly to keep a neat shape. Its berries add festive charm in winter.
#17. Lavender
Source: How To Plant Your Garden
Lavender adds fragrance and color to sunny walkways. It thrives in sandy, well-drained soil with full sun. Prune after flowering to keep plants compact.
Water sparingly, as it dislikes soggy soil. Harvest the flowers for drying or crafts. Its scent makes every walk along the path refreshing.
#18. Zinnias
Source: American Meadows
Zinnias are annuals that burst with color all summer long. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Sow seeds directly in containers or garden beds for quick blooms.
Deadhead spent flowers to extend the display. Water moderately, avoiding wetting the foliage. Their bold colors make walkways cheerful and bright.
#19. Alyssum
Source: Plant Care Today
Alyssum forms low mounds covered in tiny, fragrant blooms. It thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. Perfect for edging paths, it spills over gently with a soft look.
Water regularly but avoid overwatering. It attracts pollinators, adding life to your walkway. Its sweet scent is especially lovely on warm evenings.
#20. Begonias
Source: Garden & Greenhouse
Begonias bloom in shades of red, pink, and white, thriving in shade or sun. Plant them in rich, well-drained soil and water regularly. They work beautifully in pots or edging borders.
Pinch back stems to encourage more flowers. Their long-lasting blooms keep paths colorful all summer. Their versatility makes them a gardener’s favorite.
#21. Lady’s Mantle
Source: The Impatient Gardener
Lady’s Mantle features scalloped leaves that collect morning dew. Plant it in partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Its chartreuse flowers bloom in early summer, softening borders.
Water regularly during dry spells to keep foliage fresh. It pairs well with bolder plants like roses. Its subtle beauty makes paths look magical.
#22. Moss Phlox
Source: PlantingTree
Moss Phlox creates a vibrant carpet of blooms in spring. It grows best in full sun with sandy, well-drained soil. Use it to edge walkways or spill over rock walls.
Water moderately and trim lightly after flowering. Its dense growth helps suppress weeds along paths. The bright colors make spring walkways unforgettable.