The Front Garden Path (gouache style)

Tiled front paths came into their own with Victorian and Edwardian terraces, when factory-made geometric and quarry tiles made patterned paths affordable. The front garden is the part of a home everyone sees, so its planting tends to be the most personal, chosen to greet whoever comes to the door. Today the RHS encourages people to keep plants in front gardens, because paving them over adds to rainwater runoff and takes away habitat.

Lavender and roses both suit the edge of a sunny path. Trim lavender in late August after flowering so it stays compact and doesn't sprawl too far across the tiles. Prune shrub roses in February or March, deadhead them through summer and mulch around them in spring. For the path, sweep regularly and scrub moss and algae off with a stiff brush and water. If an old tile cracks, it's often possible to find reclaimed tiles that match.

A tiled path runs through a front garden of lavender and roses to a plain front door. The planting softens the hard lines of the path and the doorway. Brushing past lavender on the way in releases its scent, and that small daily pleasure is exactly what this kind of garden is for.