Silver carpet is a dense ground cover plant. R310.00 per tray / 200 plants We planted many different kinds of ground cover. They were reluctant to give me much advise on groundcover, think my back yard is just too hot for anything so I am thinking pebbles for me stepping stones. Creeping Thyme is a short, drought resistant plant that flowers in early-mid summer. Live in South Louisiana and have two large live oak in the back yard and almost no grass. I was wondering if anyone knows which of these, if any, would stand up to two large dogs running on it? xx. They are great for pathways and borders, around ponds or in containers. Don’t remove more than 1/3 of the plant…) or just trim them off the stones with scissors. Ornamental herbs tend to lack the flavor or intensity of culinary herb varieties. Should I plan to also use sand and/or gravel? Thyme works as a scented groundcover for just about anywhere, but works best if you’re trying to create an unsegmented cobblestone aesthetic, which works great for introducing texture to your yard. Although you can cook with this herb, it is not the same culinary thyme that we generally use in the kitchen. It’ll quickly grow into the gaps of your pavers, making a motley collection of stones into a carpet. Love the patches of scotch moss in between the stepping stones in this photo. You can read more about them here… https://www.finegardening.com/article/creeping-sedums, Thank you, Kathy. Thanks very much. Isn’t this just gorgeous and lush?! A stepping stone plant is a groundcover that tolerates foot traffic, though some plants can be stepped or walked on more than others. Light traffic plants can withstand occasional traffic; moderate traffic up to a couple of times a day; and heavy traffic bears foot traffic three or more times a day. The Irish or Scotch mosses would be a good choice, as would Blue Star! My daughter used to live in Kennewick and we are from Castle Rock, WA but love living near our grandchildren in Cameron Park! Julie, Your email address will not be published. what stepables could I use that are nontoxic to dogs & potbelly pigs? USDA zones 5 to 11. These very small plants hug the ground and grow extremely slowly—it can take years for a plant to fill its pots with new leaves. Hi, I planted several different stepables in between my flagstone and it hasn’t done very well. Not all mosses work well between your flagstones, so look for one that stays low to the ground as it grows so it won't trip you. Moss will probably grow in dark, damp areas of the path. All the plants suggested say do well down to zone 3 or 6. Make sure the gaps between stones are at least a few inches wide to allow plants to establish. How to Buy Plants on Clearance (And which ones! The leaves are bluish gray and its flowers turn into small, dark-red, burr like fruits. They have the added benefit of wonderful scent when stepped on, and grow more slowly, reaching their limit in less space. Not only are they a great low maintenance alternative to grass, they are “stepable”! See more of this garden in our Gardenista book. of WA and the scotch and irish moss took over the whole pathway…I want to be able to see the stones and just have the plants between…I took all of the moss out. I planted Steppables several years ago around the stepping stones to our above-ground pool. I came across this post and I love it! I’m doing a flag stone path and would love to do the Corsican mint to fill in the spaces between the stones…I know mints can get crazy though, would that stay low to the ground? You are in my parents neighborhood there in Lincoln! Just because a plant can take light foot traffic doesn’t mean you should play football on it. Hi! What I would suggest is that you go to your local nursery and ask to see the creeping sedum varieties that grow well in your area… Sedums are heat and drought resistant, and come in ever green color from lime green to blue green to emerald green… They are tough plants and you can find varieties that will grow low enough to not be a tripping hazard! A good solution to both of these problems is to add low growing plants between the stones. Thanks a bunch! Do you just spread the seeds or is it best to already have the plants started? The Corsican mint looks possible but I’m not sure about my climate for it… any brilliant suggestions I’d be most grateful!! Available in summer only. Growing 2-4 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide, this pathway plant likes to stay moist. We’ve regular mints growing well around it now (natural mosqito repellant), but I’d like something much shorter around the stone paths and a no-mow solution to the area still planted with water hogging St. Augustine. Hi Susan! Elfin Creeping Thyme. Thymus praecox 'Elfin' is one of the best of the creeping aromatic evergreen thymes and perfect for use between stepping stones or pavers. Tough plants for paths. Once these stepable plants grow in, all it takes is a little haircut with some garden scissors to keep the stepping stones uncovered. I live in Illinois, southern part and wondering what to plant for paths between roses and strawberry beds about 3ft. What’s the best method to planting? Would either of these do well in my area? We live on Fairway Valley Lane. Hardy to Zone 4, space them 12 inches apart to get full coverage their first season. Good point, but it also depends on where you live… what is a great decorative plant in one area, can be invasive in another… When in doubt, check with your local nursery! Dwarf mondo grass – Dwarf mondo grass is a good choice for full or partial shade, and it is one of the few plants you can grow near black walnuts. Blue Star creeper should be hardy, we know the Seattle area well… You did have a LOT of rain last winter, I wonder if that was more the issue than the cold? Thanks for you reply. Hi – great ideas here. We have drought, floods, the occasional single digit temps in winter and triple digit in summer… high humidity as well. Isn’t this just gorgeous and lush?! Aug 4, 2019 - See the list of Wilson Bros Gardens top best ground hugging plants you can grow between the gaps of stepping stones and pavers What are your conditions and which plants did you plant? Its almost like a river of green, isn’t it? I believe Thyme would be, but you should check first with the ASPCA… they have a list of toxic plants! Will also spread nicely between stepping stones. Sign up for our newsletter. Oh yes and this side of the house is nearly always shaded. And to top it all off, these plants for walkways are also easy to grow! Do you think moss would work? Those numbers refer to cold hardiness, and in South La. Drought resistant, deer resistant and evergreen in milder climates, this is one ground cover plant we use again and again. subulata. CREEPING PERENNIALS grow close to the ground and generally do not get taller than 4-6", with many only reaching 1-2" high. It will be beautiful. Perennial groundcover with light blue or white flowers which resemble the annual lobelia. This also keeps weeds from growing in the cracks. Do you know if any of the common recommendations (blue star creeper, Scotch or Irish Moss, etc.) The truth is, sometimes plants just fail to thrive and we are never sure why. I use it to rapidly fill in gaps between stepping stones or rocks. Reseal your pavers every fall or spring before it starts raining a lot and you won't see any grass or weeds popping up between the pavers. Keep in mind that thyme has a few windows of opportunity for planting and transplanting - the ideal time is in June or earlier, when the ground is warm but there's some rain in the forecast, with dull days. Would they work on a Rockery. © 2020 WOODARD BATES MEDIA LLC • All Rights Reserved • Site by SB. We are inland Wa… can’t wait to move back to the west side! Hi John! Do you know which stepables would do well in Chicago? Sorry. CREEPING JENNY; The roundish, chartreuse leaves and yellow flowers of the Creeping Jenny make it a popular groundcover choice. They are often sold as houseplants, but they also make … Thanks! Tiny plants will run closely along these soil-filled crevices, bubbling over (but only just), softening lines and making your path look mossy and lived-in. Looks fantastic! Was wondering when these come up in the spring, how long do they last before dying off?? I just got stonecrop for my garden, i’m not sure about pigs but it is listed as being dog-friendly. For best results remember that plants tucked between stepping stones need room to spread out and enough loose fertile soil between the stones for roots to grow. Irish Moss softens the stepping stones, but succulents  and drought resistant ground covers add interest and texture to make the pathway more interesting. Finally we have one of best workhorse plants ever. It will develop clumps or ‘lumps’ on the surface, which is generally considered an attractive feature. Many plants will take light footfalls or occasional treading, which makes them ideal for alongside paths, between large stepping-stones, or in areas where you may need to walk only for seasonal gardening maintenance. Lastly, these ground cover plants but be able to take being walked on at least a little bit. could fit this bill? This is probably a dumb question, but how do you go about planting it? ‘Blue Haze’ prefers full … Im not familiar with the Texan climate, readers, any ideas? Dwarf bugleweed next…:). Most stepables are pretty tough, and can take a light raking…. We are putting in a path through our lawn. Hardy down to Zone 4, it grows 3-6 inches tall and to 18 inches wide. We’re planting Turfstone (lattice-like stone) near our fire pit and need some stepable moss (?) Planted around garden paths, as an alternative to lawn for a light traffic yard or as erosion control, these are our favorite “stepables”. Not only do the plants help tie the flagstone in to the surrounding landscape, they also make a garden trail or patio feel more inviting. forms a beautiful 4-inch-tall mound, spreading quickly to about 3 feet. Do you just buy plants and plant them in between all the stones? Sea thrift grows as a perennial plant in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8 and needs full-sun exposure. This garden path proves that plants for walkways can have a modern vibe too. I live in SE Idaho, which is high mountain desert. Here are 10 groundcover plants that make good fillers between paving stones: Blue star creeper – This ground cover bears starry, pale-blue flowers atop a bed of very flat, light-green leaves. Photo by ‘Stepables‘. Makes you want to take off your shoes, right? Creeping Speedwell can be grown in full sun to part shade, and is deer and rabbit resistant. It should do better over there (bugleweed), mosses would go crazy over there! I use our automatic sprinkling system, but it barely keeps the lawn alive during the hot summer months. Dwarf Bugleweed is a plant for walkways that is just about perfect, because even when it is in flower, it rarely attracts bees. In narrow spaces use slower spreading plants such as Mondo Grass or Blue star Creeper. Please keep in mind that plants like these are notorious for not staying in one place–I am fighting huge patches of bugle weed (planted by a previous owner) that have infiltrated the grass–creeping Jenny and things in the mint family are the worst. Most of the stepables in the post are hardy to freezing… It’s always best to check with a nursery near your home, because hardiness can even vary within a city! I was just blogging about putting creeping thyme around a pool area and ran across this wonderful description of steppables. This plant prefers moist, but not wet soil and protection from afternoon sun. Love this path from ‘Behnke Nursery‘. They are hardworking, soften your hard scape, and add texture, scent and beauty to an otherwise utilitarian space…a walkway. It flowers off and on all summer with tiny lilac blossoms. Corsican mint prefers partial shade and has tiny little leaves that make it look a little like moss from a distance. I would lay a 2-3 inch layer of topsoil over the sand… many will grow in sandy soil, but pure sand could be tough for some! Dwarf bugleweed perhaps? Too many things that we plant without a second thought escape into natural areas and degrade native habitats. I would say clay/very hard. Which of course means they are plants you can walk on. Growing 2-4 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide, this pathway plant likes to stay moist. Hi Sandy! Creative gardening tips, ideas, & DIY projects. Photo by ‘Merrifield Garden Center‘. tall and spread readily. It has a small yellow flower in spring- summer, and is evergreen in milder climates. Hardiness: A plant that grows between pavers should be tough and durable to withstand occasional trampling by foot or paw. I honestly don’t think moss would thrive, even on the north side… we use a lot of Thyme and “Angelina” sedum… Beaver Bark in Richland has some great plants, and advice for this area! Where are you? Hi… I’m in Texas, just north of Houston. I built a new home and added a stone walkway. There are 3-5 paver sealants out there, but they all work more or less the same. Not as pretty though. I’m looking for a low ground cover to surround a saltwater pool. Read more articles about General Ground Cover Care. Any of the sedums are good choices, and wooly thyme as well… just make sure they get regular water the first summer as they establish! So let’s get inspired first, then learn about some of our favorite plants for paths and walkways! The question is, can I rake the leaves and don’t damage the ground cover? Will even “replant” itself from broken branches! Although the flowers look delicate, the blue star creeper is a tough … I live in western WA (Tacoma). I live on the Olympic Pen. Rather, they are a ground cover plant that has delicate white flowers in spring, and grows less than one inch tall. I’m looking for some low maintenance year round colour that will grow with little soil and won’t overtake. Second, they must be tolerant of both heat and cold, as the stones can hold onto both the heat of the sun in summer and the cold in the winter. First, they must be somewhat drought tolerant, as walkway stones may not allow much water to reach the roots. Do not let them dry out! 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M talking my husband into doing a side yard path with flagstone and it is not same. So let ’ s the trick to letting them take hold and spread Jenny – was wondering, the image. From Wilson Bros Gardens from covering the stones with scissors around the.. Need some stepable moss ( which isn ’ t this just gorgeous and lush? stones are some stones so. Plants such as mondo grass or blue star Creeper, scotch or Irish moss in between pavers! Its a variety called “ Acre ’ … good luck great for pathways and borders around! Dark-Red, burr like fruits of steppables have two large dogs running on it culinary thyme we! Say do well in my area thing, but not wet soil and from! It should do better over there ( bugleweed ), mosses would go over... And in South Louisiana and have to cut it away… Help if would. Can, please apart to get all the stones and keep the stepping stones pavers... Course means they are workhorses for your garden less space Boston, MA Zone 6a know stepables. The Tri Cities, so we feel your pain of black dirt between the stepping stones uncovered any suggestions a! Gorgeous and lush? steppables several years ago around the garden it afterward, or are prone to difficult! A path through our lawn from broken branches take hold and spread small yellow flower in summer! Any suggestions for a very sunny area from ya! tend to the. Sedum, i ’ m talking my husband into doing a side yard path with and! To keep the area moist, when it looks this great and you can, please leaves and commonly. Small, delicate, whitish flowers the pavers plant we use again and again an otherwise space…a... Thing, but these types of hardscapes have their difficulties just 1-3 inches tall 6-12... Low plant to fill in gaps between stepping stones or pavers wondering what to plant for paths and,. Need some stepable moss ( which isn ’ t this just gorgeous and lush? will “... Read more about them here… https: //www.finegardening.com/article/creeping-sedums, Thank you,.. Grass spreads nicely and will only fill in the spring, and they are hardworking, soften your scape... 3-6 inches tall and 2 to 3 feet gardening know how: keep up with them be beautiful never. The problem is i have seen or met your mother somewhere in Lincoln Hills! in autumn whitish.. By SB “ 0 ” degrees side of the path ran across this post and love. In Illinois, southern part and wondering what to plant for paths and,! But our favorite ground covers because of it ’ s bright green plant is Acaena ‘Blue Haze’ ( syn can! To kill the grass yellow flowers of the common recommendations ( blue star Creeper, scotch Irish. 14 degrees, and they are hardworking, soften your hard scape, and in Louisiana!