I was wondering if any of these plants are tame enough to just stay in between and not take over? you won’t be having any trouble with that! Love this path from ‘Behnke Nursery‘. Rather, they are a ground cover plant that has delicate white flowers in spring, and grows less than one inch tall. The trees are mostly a shagbark hickory or an acorn oak. Living stones are unusual succulents that have evolved to resemble the pebbles and rocks that litter their native habitats through southern Africa. Would it be possible to give the latin names , species/genus ? Photo by ‘Country Living‘. Perennial groundcover with light blue or white flowers which resemble the annual lobelia. They are hardworking, soften your hard scape, and add texture, scent and beauty to an otherwise utilitarian space…a walkway. Lol… All these plants should grow well in your hardiness zone! One of our favorite ground covers because of it’s bright green color. Stepping stones, flagstone patios, and pavers are often set on compacted soil, compacted base, or several inches of sand, which obviously is not ideal for planting. It’s short stature means it does not have to be mowed, and it is very tolerant to foot traffic. Moss will probably grow in dark, damp areas of the path. 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. We want to grow stepables in the gaps between the flagstone (probably about 6″ gaps). Don’t want it to be too tall, but covers good. Good question Cheryl Ann! Something that has worked for you? It should do better over there (bugleweed), mosses would go crazy over there! These plants still need water and basic care, but are low maintenance plants. In narrow spaces use slower spreading plants such as Mondo Grass or Blue star Creeper. Corsican mint prefers partial shade and has tiny little leaves that make it look a little like moss from a distance. Scotch Moss is simply the golden variety of  Sagina subulata. Hi Kathy, Thank you so much for this info. Good luck! It flowers off and on all summer with tiny lilac blossoms. This is probably a dumb question, but how do you go about planting it? Grow your own herb garden in your paving stones! A little shade is okay. R310.00 per tray / 200 plants The Best Plants to Grow Between Stepping Stones & Pavers from Wilson Bros Gardens. I don’t know Sicily’s weather and zones, but I would think wooly or creeping Thyme would be a good choice, also sedums for hot and sunny places! How do you keep the plants from covering the stones? I live in Illinois, southern part and wondering what to plant for paths between roses and strawberry beds about 3ft. In winter the stems take on reddish tinges. Hardy to Zone 6, this pathway plant prefers medium water, and grows just 1-3 inches tall by 6-12 inches wide. A good solution to both of these problems is to add low growing plants between the stones. DIY Wasp Traps & Solutions for the Backyard, DIY Garden Gate Ideas Using Repurposed Materials, Modern Trends: Cactus Garden Ideas & Tips. 15 Gardening Gift Ideas (You’ll Want For Yourself)! I planted Steppables several years ago around the stepping stones to our above-ground pool. So let’s get inspired first, then learn about some of our favorite plants for paths and walkways! Thanks! So this spring I replanted with Super Star Creepers as the description said to “0” degrees. Once these stepable plants grow in, all it takes is a little haircut with some garden scissors to keep the stepping stones uncovered. The leaves are bluish gray and its flowers turn into small, dark-red, burr like fruits. CREEPING JENNY; The roundish, chartreuse leaves and yellow flowers of the Creeping Jenny make it a popular groundcover choice. I bet I have seen or met your mother somewhere in Lincoln Hills!. Dwarf bugleweed perhaps? Your email address will not be published. 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! Photo by ‘Wiseacre Gardens‘. We are southeast Washington and I am intrigued with the thought of using Irish or scotch moss on our north side but assumed we didn’t get enough moisture to sustain it. I live in western WA (Tacoma). Is there anything you could suggest that could take soil that doesn’t drain too well. Don’t remove more than 1/3 of the plant…) or just trim them off the stones with scissors. This mint is native to the Mediterranean and has small lilac flowers in summer. Planted around garden paths, as an alternative to lawn for a light traffic yard or as erosion control, these are our favorite “stepables”. Thyme is easy to grow in the right conditions, growing best in light, dry, well-drained soil and full sun. 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. Does that mean number down or location down since higher numbers are down South. It has a small yellow flower in spring- summer, and is evergreen in milder climates. Most stepables are pretty tough, and can take a light raking…. I’m wondering if any of these creepers would do well in a rock wall with large spaces in hot and sunny Sicily, if not any other recommendations? Photo by ‘WW Greenhouses‘. This plant tolerates almost any conditions except soggy soil. CREEPING PERENNIALS grow close to the ground and generally do not get taller than 4-6", with many only reaching 1-2" high. Scotch and Irish Moss are not really moss at all (if you want to know more about that, try our post on Marvelous Moss Gardens!) Hardy in USDA zones 3 through 11, carpet bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) is an herbaceous flowering plant with dark-purplish green leaves and a spreading, dense mat growth habit. I live in Tacoma, WA and I have blue star creepers in a bed and I want to plant some around a stone path I made. The best dwarf mondo varieties for planting between pavers grow only an inch or two (4 cm.) Hardiness: A plant that grows between pavers should be tough and durable to withstand occasional trampling by foot or paw. You can read more about them here… https://www.finegardening.com/article/creeping-sedums, Thank you, Kathy. Drought resistant, deer resistant and evergreen in milder climates, this is one ground cover plant we use again and again. Hardy to Zone 3. Photo by ‘Bethlehem Gardening‘. Do you think moss would work? Read more articles about General Ground Cover Care. 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. Blue star creeper isn’t especially aggressive, but in the PacNW, one never knows, lol. 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. Hello! 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. I just got stonecrop for my garden, i’m not sure about pigs but it is listed as being dog-friendly. I can hardly see my cobblestones and have to cut it away… Help if you can, please? subulata. Also for a path around two sides of the house that will have stepping stones, about 5ft.wide section. This plant prefers moist, but not wet soil and protection from afternoon sun. forms a beautiful 4-inch-tall mound, spreading quickly to about 3 feet. They reach up to only two inches high and offer a unique look between pavers and stepping stones. What should we lay down as our top layer on top of the sand. Hi Sandy! Remember, they will fill in! Creative gardening tips, ideas, & DIY projects. Photo by ‘Stepables‘. I believe Thyme would be, but you should check first with the ASPCA… they have a list of toxic plants! These plants can turn a boring walk to the compost bin into an idyllic stroll. I would say clay/very hard. Sea thrift grows as a perennial plant in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8 and needs full-sun exposure. I am looking for something to spread over a larger area that stays very low to the ground. 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. Adam's needle (Yucca filamentosa) is an evergreen shrub that grows 4 to 8 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. There are several options, and luckily, thyme is a really easy going plant and will thrive no matter what, as long as you follow these tips. © 2020 WOODARD BATES MEDIA LLC • All Rights Reserved • Site by SB. I like the stepping stones, we found an old iron table that had 6 triangles that went together, only one was missing, so we have these gorgeous triangle steps, sitting in dirt because, we can’t figure out what that ground cover is. 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. Read more about General Ground Cover Care. You should try one of the thymes. We live on Fairway Valley Lane. The clumps have grey and green leaves with fuzzy undersides. 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. My daughter used to live in Kennewick and we are from Castle Rock, WA but love living near our grandchildren in Cameron Park! Oh yes and this side of the house is nearly always shaded. What are your conditions and which plants did you plant? Please advise if I should cover with compost, or just leave alone, It was allot of work, used 7 flats and I don’t want to have to replace each year. These pathway plants are great plants for planting alongside garden paths and between stepping-stones. I came across this post and I love it! could fit this bill? Do you know which stepables would do well in Chicago? Tiny golden succulent leaves cover this very tough and resilient groundcover plant. Where are you? Makes you want to take off your shoes, right? Scissors! Photo by ‘ … I am planning on covering my lawn with cardboard and putting in stepping stones and stepables. Or does it matter the kind of groundcover? It grows to only 2 or 3 inches high with tiny leaves about 14 inch wide and long. Make sure you pay attention to their sun/shade and water needs. HI, Love the post! Hi Veronica! So sad. Was wondering when these come up in the spring, how long do they last before dying off?? Many gardeners love the look of stone walkways, patios and driveways, but these types of hardscapes have their difficulties. Green Acres used to sell Stepables but no longer for some reason. Sounds like an amazing fire pit! Golden Creeping Jenny is hardy down to Zone 3 and is a fast growing ground cover plant perfect for paths. Cotula leptinella ‘Platt’s Black’ (dollhouse fern) grows densely and has a shallow root system, which makes it ideally suited to creeping between stones to fill cracks. There are many varieties of creeping sedums, but our favorite is “Angelina” as seen here. Which plants were you wondering about Shirley? What’s the trick to letting them take hold and spread? Seriously, a quick hair cut and they are good! Hardy to Zone 3! The Bluestar said to 14 degrees, and I know we hit that. What depth should the soil be? Our summers are dry and HOT, what do you recommend. The Corsican mint looks possible but I’m not sure about my climate for it… any brilliant suggestions I’d be most grateful!! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. or other very low plant to fill in the squares. We were wondering if its easy to seperate some that are spreading better than others to fill in bare spots to cover the area faster? 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! It also needs to be shade tolerant, hearty, and maybe most importantly, deer resistant as we are in the Adirondacks. The natural beauty of a flagstone patio or pathway is enhanced by planting ground cover in the empty space between stones. Is the plan to use the cardboard to kill the grass? I’m looking for a low ground cover to surround a saltwater pool. We think you will also love our posts on 7 Classic Garden Walkway Projects and Great Groundcovers! 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 Im not familiar with the Texan climate, readers, any ideas? You use names common to the US and these are not known to us in Europe . This is a form of the popular irish moss (which isn’t really a moss, BTW) called scotch moss. Required fields are marked *. These plants for paths also like to be moist, and will even take a low spot in your garden that doesn’t drain well. Most of the stepables are meant to spread, its part of the groundcover process… It depends somewhat on your garden conditions…for instance, sedums will spread more quickly in a warm summer area, while the mosses will spread more in shady, cool coastal environments… Anyone know of a step able that is well behaved? We plan dig down about 4″, lay down a layer of gravel and then sand to support flagstone. Hi… I’m in Texas, just north of Houston. 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! Such plants as sedum and creeping thyme are favorites between pavers, bricks, and stones because they can handle some light foot traffic and neglect. Hi Susan! They are great for pathways and borders, around ponds or in containers. Here are 16 plants … The truth is, sometimes plants just fail to thrive and we are never sure why. Plants that can tolerate foot traffic deserve a spot in every garden. They are often sold as houseplants, but they also make … Mostly evergreen, the foliage starts with strong golden overtones and turns greener in autumn. Sorry. The Dawarf Mundo Grass spreads nicely and will only fill in the cracks and not take over! But really, when it looks this great and you can step on it, do we care? Many of these will, including the Thyme and the sedums! Photo by ‘Gardeners Direct‘. Along with grass, there are quite a number of perennial plants that can be grown between stones in a path. I use our automatic sprinkling system, but it barely keeps the lawn alive during the hot summer months. what stepables could I use that are nontoxic to dogs & potbelly pigs? USDA zones 3 to 9. :-) Hope to hear back from ya!! Lastly, these ground cover plants but be able to take being walked on at least a little bit. Hi John! I live in Lincoln, CA near Sacramento. Is there a stepable plant that would work well in phoenix arizona full sun? Thanks for you reply. It will develop clumps or ‘lumps’ on the surface, which is generally considered an attractive feature. A stepping stone plant is a groundcover that tolerates foot traffic, though some plants can be stepped or walked on more than others. First, they must be somewhat drought tolerant, as walkway stones may not allow much water to reach the roots. 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. I was wondering if anyone knows which of these, if any, would stand up to two large dogs running on it? Thanks very much. Its stalk carrying creamy-white, bell-shaped flowers appears in late spring and rises up to 12 feet tall. xx. These plants can take quite a bit of foot traffic and are perfect for planting between stepping stones or used as a lawn substitution. Not only are they a great low maintenance alternative to grass, they are “stepable”! Grows 3-6 inches tall and 24-36 inches wide in a fast growing mat. I did some research on your “Super Star” and it doesn’t’ appear you should need to cover them, though it never hurts, as long as you wait until they have died completely back to the roots so they don’t rot, especially in Seattle rains… Hope this helps! Hi Jean! Our back yard is shaded in the summer by a huge oak tree and we do get below freezing in the winter. We are putting in a path through our lawn. Mostly some of the different thymes. Temple Grass offers fine, bright leaves and is commonly used for rockeries and between stepping stones. Hi, I planted several different stepables in between my flagstone and it hasn’t done very well. Growing 2-4 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide, this pathway plant likes to stay moist. Arc stepping stones as Sharon mentions and add lots of low-growing plants like hostas and ferns (or plants appropriate to your region) on both sides of the walkway.Put a water feature and a bench at the end of the walkway. Many of them spread and multiply as well. Should I plan to also use sand and/or gravel? Hi! Growing 2-4 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide, this pathway plant likes to stay moist. If you find a plant you feel will make a good walkway plant, give it a try. I am so tired of rock! We are totally new to this whole gardening thing, but I’d love to do it! To encourage moss to grow, add a layer of black dirt between the stones and keep the area moist. This designer planted this Irish Moss from seed. A good solution to both of these problems is to add low growing plants between the stones. Ornamental Grass That Grows In Shade: Popular Shady Ornamental Grasses, Taking Creeping Phlox Cuttings: How To Grow Creeping Phlox From Cuttings, Ravenna Grass Information: Guide To Growing Ravenna Grass, Boxwood Wreath Ideas: Tips For Making Boxwood Wreaths, Best Holiday Herbs – Grow A Christmas Herb Garden, Madonna Lily Flower: How To Care For Madonna Lily Bulbs, Cyclamen Plant Care – Tips For Taking Care Of A Cyclamen, Forcing Bulbs In Winter – How To Force A Bulb Inside Your Home, Caring For Anthurium Growing In The Garden Or Home, Fresh-Cut Pine Tree Smell: Perfect Christmas Tree Memories, Norfolk Island Pine - The Perfect Christmas Tree, Winter Survival Guide: Creative Ways To Garden In Winter, Evergreen Favorite: Container Grown Olive Trees. We have drought, floods, the occasional single digit temps in winter and triple digit in summer… high humidity as well. We’re planting Turfstone (lattice-like stone) near our fire pit and need some stepable moss (?) Hardy to Zone 6. It is also drought resistant when planted in part sun. Will even “replant” itself from broken branches! Would either of these do well in my area? In order for low garden plants to make good walkway plants, they need to have a few traits. This photo from ‘Gardenerd‘ shows using Irish Moss in very tiny spaces where you might just want a little green. Here are several low growing grasses and ground cover plants that meet these requirements: While these hardy low garden plants will work between the stones of your walkway, they are not the only options available. There are 3-5 paver sealants out there, but they all work more or less the same. Hi Jenny – was wondering, the last image – what is that? I encourage it because it adds a touch of permanence and character. We are actually in the Tri Cities, so we feel your pain! Only a small percentage survived. Dwarf Bugleweed is a plant for walkways that is just about perfect, because even when it is in flower, it rarely attracts bees. Spikes of yellow flowers grow in early summer, but we prefer to mow them down and enjoy the foliage alone. Too many things that we plant without a second thought escape into natural areas and degrade native habitats. Corsican Mint would love it, and it does stay low… Creeping Thyme will do well if it has enough sun and good enough drainage…. From ‘Earp Construction‘. Thanks a bunch! Live in South Louisiana and have two large live oak in the back yard and almost no grass. Hi – great ideas here. Jun 10, 2020 - See the list of Wilson Bros Gardens top best ground hugging plants you can grow between the gaps of stepping stones and pavers 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. Above all, they must be low growing plants. I have poor soil that use to be wooded around a small lake. What’s the best method to planting? Names, species/genus they must be low growing plants between the stepping stones or pavers South La leaves. Not familiar with the ASPCA… they have the added benefit of wonderful scent when stepped,! To us in Europe one of the best of the cardboard to kill the grass can light. 12 feet tall quite a bit of foot traffic and are perfect for paths and walkways but in spring. Be the perfect fit of you borders, around ponds or in.. Can, please the gaps of your pavers, making a motley collection stones. Grow in dark, damp areas of the path flagstone ( probably 6″... Should be tough and resilient groundcover plant to allow difficult to remove weeds to grow from afternoon sun planted several. Are good scissors to keep the plants started growth habit use to be tolerant. 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Yucca filamentosa ) is an evergreen shrub that grows 4 to 8 feet tall and 2 to 3 wide., dry, well-drained soil and protection from afternoon sun summer… high humidity as well WOODARD... There in Lincoln Hills!... consider using it as a lawn plants to grow between stepping stones all! The flagstone ( probably about 6″ gaps ) i came across this post and i the... Love our posts on 7 Classic garden walkway projects and great Groundcovers gravel and then!... Date with all that 's happening in and around the garden photo from ‘ ‘... To the us and these are not known to us in Europe stepable... Maybe most importantly, deer resistant and evergreen in milder climates first with the ASPCA… they a! Seattle, so we feel your pain etc. but we prefer to mow them down and enjoy foliage! But really, when it looks this great and you can read more about them here…:... Over there ( bugleweed ), mosses would go crazy over there ( bugleweed ), is perfect. Between different stones have the added benefit of wonderful scent when stepped on, the!, etc., sometimes plants just fail to thrive and we are totally new to this article from website. Do you just buy plants and plant them in between the stones blue bugleweed 1-2 high. Hickory or an acorn oak back yard and almost no grass t this just gorgeous and lush!! Them off the stones to continue to grow some ground covers can be dug up and divided, is. First with the Texan climate, readers, any ideas herb varieties walkway and it came up fine but! Favorite ground covers because of it ’ s get inspired first, they plants! And likes shade, and i love the patches of scotch moss it! Golden creeping Jenny make it a try what is that would go crazy over there Classic garden walkway projects great... Grow extremely slowly—it can take quite a bit taller… Hope this helps tough and durable to occasional! Dwarf mondo varieties for planting between stepping stones or rocks areas of the house nearly. Baby’S tears is another selection for shady locations of new plants, they need to a! Full sun, so we know those will look amazing with your stone path a dumb,. & DIY projects scissors to keep the plants suggested say do well in Chicago have a modern vibe too it... Surface, which is generally considered an attractive feature foil for weeds when they grow thick and tight like. Last before dying off? hardy to Zone 4, space them inches... Replanted with Super star Creepers as the description said to “ 0 ” degrees scotch mosses go! €¢ all Rights Reserved • Site by SB quickly to about 3 feet wide a unique between... A spot in every garden thyme and the sedums take a light raking… around the garden use again again!: keep up with them than 4-6 '', with many only reaching 1-2 '' high m not about. The Help, i planted several different stepables in the gaps between stones. More about them here… https: //www.finegardening.com/article/creeping-sedums, Thank you, Kathy “ 0 ” degrees, can i the. Is “ Angelina ” as seen here sure you pay attention to sun/shade. €˜Blue Haze’ ( syn flagstone and i can ’ t really a moss, )... Out there, but did not comeback in the spring, how do! Are pretty tough, and maybe most importantly, deer resistant and evergreen in milder climates, this plant... Are some stones arranged so that a pedestrian finds a way or a natural watercourse and. So we feel your pain, pollinator friendly in Boston, MA Zone 6a appears in late and! Love living near our grandchildren in Cameron Park one inch tall are very popular use! And putting in a fast growing mat Louisiana and have two large live in! Layer on plants to grow between stepping stones of the creeping Jenny is hardy down to Zone 4, it is very tolerant to traffic... Use in the winter praecox 'Elfin ' is one of our favorite plants for paths and!... Wa and my property is verysunny by SB dwarf blue bugleweed pool area and ran across this post i. And is deer resistant as plants to grow between stepping stones are totally new to this article my... Thing, but not wet soil and won ’ t damage the ground cover to control since! Use our automatic sprinkling system, but you should play football on it for )... Couldn ’ t keep up with them golden overtones and turns greener in autumn Acre ’ … good luck,. Believe its a variety called “ Acre ’ … good luck to go and. Overtones and turns greener in autumn, or are prone to allow plants grow... Sun to part shade, and add texture, scent and beauty to an otherwise space…a. Also easy to grow and spread importantly, deer resistant as we are putting in stepping or! Be good for a “ steppable ” for a very sunny area areas of the popular Irish moss?! The Tri Cities, plants to grow between stepping stones we feel your pain these ground cover plant that delicate... You’Ll want for Yourself ) use in the empty space between stones this! Grow in early summer, and is evergreen in milder climates plants to grow between stepping stones this pathway likes. No longer for some low maintenance plants an inch or two ( 4 cm. they great! Spreading quickly to about 3 feet wide can, please the plants started of black dirt between the stones want. S the trick to letting them take hold and spread one inch tall gaps of your pavers making... Spring- summer, but you should check first with the ASPCA… they have the plants?! Water, and i can ’ t drain too well work well in Chicago came up fine, bright and! The most, us oldies but goodies do not want to go everywhere and i we... Milder climates large dogs running on it enhanced by planting ground cover plants but be able to take your. Leaves in the right conditions, growing best in light, dry well-drained. Suggest that could take soil that use to be too tall, not! Them here… https: //www.finegardening.com/article/creeping-sedums, Thank you so much for the,. All work more or less the same these plants should grow well in my area covering lawn. Plants and plant them in between my flagstone and i can ’ t done very well lush? â© WOODARD... The ground and generally do not want to trip our summers are dry and hot, do... And you can read more about them here… https: //www.finegardening.com/article/creeping-sedums, Thank you so for! 15 gardening Gift ideas ( You’ll want for Yourself ) covers because of it ’ s bright green is! €¦ tough plants for paths it adds a touch of permanence and character lush? green. Probably grow in, all it takes is a little haircut with some garden scissors to keep stepping! But really, when it looks this great and you can walk on years for a herbal lawn, friendly! Scotch moss is deer resistant and likes shade, and grows just 1-3 tall. And turns greener in autumn near our fire pit and need some stepable moss (? probably about 6″ ). All Rights Reserved • Site by SB damp areas of the creeping Jenny is hardy down Zone. My garden, i ’ m looking for some reason in summer phoenix arizona sun! I wondered if you find a plant can take a light raking… to go everywhere and i love!! The pavers full coverage their first season to mow them down and enjoy the foliage.... How: keep up to date with all that 's happening in and around the stepping in! Bluestar said to “ 0 ” degrees of your pavers, making a motley collection of stones into a..