Brick and Flagstone Terrace

Why not use both? Landscape designer Molly Henricks designs a curving brick path leading to the stairs that go to the front door, flanked by a flagstone terrace with a simple pebble border between them. She says that these materials work well together and can add personality and drama to a front entryway.

Hendricks estimates that a professional would charge $1,900 for labor and materials (excluding the cost of plants) to transform this front yard, but do-it-yourselfers can buy the materials for only $350. By recycling the old bricks, she saves an additional $80. She gives this project a 2 on a scale of 1 (easy) to 5 (difficult) and says that it can be completed in one weekend, with the help of friend to carry the bricks and flagstone slabs.

Step One: Preparing the Site

The crew begins by removing planters and a retaining wall to allow access to the brick. They dislodge each brick with a small shovel or chisel, taking care not to crack or chip them. Then they break up the soil underneath to remove any stones and rake the area smooth.

Roughly mark off the path (with a chisel or stick). The path in this project is two feet wide by 12 feet long. Use a tape measurer to define the width and spray paint the outline of the path.

Step Two: Placing the Bricks

Contractor Joe Delgado reuses the existing terrace bricks because their rustic condition (figure C) ties in with the woodsy yard and gives the pathway more character than new bricks would. You can purchase authentic used bricks for about 72 cents each; new "rustic" bricks that are tumbled to look aged for 65 cents each; or common red bricks for 55 cents each.

Arrange the bricks on the path (figure F), working in small sections and checking the level as you go. Use a rubber mallet to tap them into place, up against each other. Brush some sand into the crevices between the bricks. Lay out a pattern, such as herringbone, basket weave, or random (as in this project).

Once all the bricks are laid, sweep some more sand over the path to fill in any remaining crevices (figure G).

Step Three: Laying Out the Flagstone

Delgado chose Arizona flagstone, rosa color, which cost $140 for 880 pounds for this project.

Before laying out the flagstone, pour and rake out a couple of inches of road base and then a thin layer of sand. Mark out a border along the path to indicate where the flagstone will stop--that space will be filled with pebbles later.

Henricks picked black Mexican pebbles for the border between the brick path and flagstone terrace. She uses three bags for this project at a cost of $10/bag. The dark coloring contrasts well between the reddish bricks and rosa flagstone. There are many varieties available--use whatever looks best in your design. Simply lay out a single layer of the pebble in the gap.

After the pebbles are in place, Henricks plants groundcover in the gaps between flagstones. To complete the project, she places a bench and containers on the terrace to give it a welcoming feel.

Planting: A Garden Terrace

Henricks says that because the terrace and pathway are part of the entryway to the house, they need more color to make them welcoming. She incorporates greenery between the flagstone and bricks to soften the edges, colorful containers of woodland plants on the terrace and flowering vines on the fence. Groundcover in the gaps between the flagstone make the terrace look like it has been part of the garden for a long time. Her landscape design includes:

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum 'Ever Red'), Zones 6-8, features a classic, graceful form and colorful leaves year-round.
Bacopa 'White Lace' (Sutera hybrida), Zones 9-10, thrives in woodsy, partially shaded settings.
Baby tears (Soleirolia soleirolii), Zones 10-11, is planted between the flagstones