Help what can I use for ground cover that gets some foot traffic?

20 years ago

Hi

I have an crazy question I have a 3ft X 3ft piece of walkway that our contractor never finished and disappeared. the problem being that it has a large root from a tree in that area and he ran out of cement when he came to that area. So I have been thinking of filling it in with potting soil and stepping stones and maybe some shade loving ground cover that will need to take some walking on not a lot of heavy foot traffic just the type that some days it gets walked on several times and days at a time no one comes near the place.I've been thinking of corsian mint or blue star creeper has anyone tried this sort of thing. I'm really open to any suggestions as I really not sure where to start.

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Comments (5)

rebc
20 years ago
We have had that exact problem this year around our deck. We decided that we'd rather have grass than anything, so we got grass seed for high traffic areas and we've been letting it grow in really well. I guess all the rain is doing it good because it looks great. Hopefully it will work. Other than that, I considered moss, mulch, stones, didn't like any of those options so we settled on grass. Good luck!
coastalcamper
20 years ago
Depending on where you are in Oregon, you might try some other alternative ground covers. In milder climates, and in areas with light traffic, you might try Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis, also known as Pratia pedunculata or Laurentia fluviatilis).

I have a half-shaded concrete patio that used to have strips of wood between the concrete slabs. The wood rotted out and I replaced it with Isotoma. Now I have tiny little blue flowers between the concrete. It really makes the patio look a lot more inviting.

In shady areas, there's Irish or Scotch moss (Sagina subulata). You could also grow baby's tears (Soleirolia soleirolii, also known as Helxine soleirolii). I've also heard of people using one of the creeping mints, like creeping Thyme or creeping Basil in areas with light traffic and sun. These creeping varieties have very tiny leaves. When they get walked on, they release their wonderful fragrance.

The best thing to do is go to Google and do a search on the phrase, "lawn alternative". You'll find lots and lots of information.
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I agree that the dog and son will create more than just light traffic. Some parts of the yard will get little or no traffic, but other areas will be trampled bare. The best plant for a situation like yours is grass. Why not plan for grass with some compatible native plants in the grass? Lots of smaller wildflowers will grow well with grass, and you can add some non-natives as well to create a nice woodland meadow sort of effect. Natives that grow well with grass include violets of several species (violets also serve as larval food plants for several types of butterflies), spring beauties, perhaps trout lilies if you have a moist area, and many others. I am sure that the members of the list could add many plants to this list. I an thinking mainly of plants that are low enough that a mower won't damage them too much. For ideas you need only look in the grass at places like state parks, larger city or county parks, church camps, and similar places where there is grass under trees that is mowed but never treated with chemicals. You could also also add smaller bulbs like crocus, snowdrops, grape hyacinth, etc., as well as english daisies. These aren't native but won't spread outside your yard. With the spring bulbs and wildflowers you should delay cutting in the spring, or cut with a mower set as high as possible, to give the plants time to grow and store food for next year before they are cut down.
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ginger_nh
20 years ago
Go to stepables.com. Lots of foot traffic groundcovers available. I have heretofore only seen their catalogue and website for mail order, but this season, here in NH, many of the nurseries are carrying their line.
Istanbuljoy
20 years ago
We just ripped the grass out of two of our hell strips and planted wooly Thymus (12 inch centers).
It takes some foot traffic. Thymus 'Reiter' takes a little more. These grow together and form a low mat and are xeric. Wooly Thymus also can tolerate shade as well as full sun. I have stepped on the newly planted Thymus..the Reiter and a 'Pink Chintz' and they tolerated it and are now growing little extensions and sitting a little taller amoung the flagstones. The 'Reiter'blooms summer-lavendar and 'Pink Chintz' blooms pink.

I love though Veronica linwanis (spelling is not my gift). It blooms a beautiful blue early to late Spring and is a very nice green. It though does not tolerate the foot traffic as well. This one is so great when you have a tall flax in bloom at the same time...same blue!
Have fun! There are some great ground covers out there!
loniesmom
20 years ago
Istanbuljoy- I had not heard that wooly thyme could take shade - YEAH! I thought I was locked into scotch moss for those areas that I can't mow between the stepping stones. Stepables is a great site and you can probably find the same plants at your local nursery once you decide which will work best for you.

Help what can I use for ground cover that gets some foot traffic?

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rebc

coastalcamper

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