Ideas for pathways and edging for informal ponds:

Boardwalks
Board walks are great to create elevated pathways over marsh areas that have a fluctuating water levee. This allows access without disturbing wildlife habitats and also creates a natural effect using natural materials.

Gravel and timber
Gravel pathways can be broken up with timber edging, timber steps and also stepping stones. it creates a natural effect and plants can be planted into it allowing it to blend into the environment.

Stepping stones
Stepping stones can be done in many different forms as shown in the images below, either in square slabs or cut slabs and dressed with natural edges. They are great for creating natural looking steps up embankments, each slab overlaps the next. Ensure that stepping stones are the right distance apart to allow for a natural walking pace.

Natural rock edge
For a natural rock edge ensure that you select rock material that is similar to the natural surrounding rock or it could look out of place. This is particularly important if there are a lot of natural rock out crops. The rocks can be interplanted with marginal planting pockets in between the rocks. Pebbles and gravel can be placed between to rocks to create a natural effect.

Decking
Decking can contrast well with rocks and informal planting as shown below with our circular deck.