Okay I went all the way to the grwoers outlet, but didn't find anything suitable, so after filling my car there with other stuff that I really didn't "need" I went to HD and bought a flat of Blue Star Creeper and then stopped at GardenWright and bought some red thyme and some wooly thyme and a couple fo a varigated thyme (that one get's up to 6 inches, but I am going to plant that off the side of the path) I also have some purple creeping thyme that I can divide and plant there so I guess I am doing patches of various thyme and then some spots of Blues star. thanks for all the ideas.

Thanks! Do you know how sedums do when they DO get a lot of water? The information that I found only said that they were drought tolerant, liked well-drained/sandy soil, but didn't mention if it would survive heavy rainy periods that we also get here certain times of the year. I'm not familiar with the other 3 you mentioned... have to look them up to see what they look like, if they're supposed to be OK in zone 9B, rainy season tolerance, etc. Also... maybe I should start a new post for this... What about ground covers to replace turf grass in areas that DO get foot traffic, but aren't in full sun all day? I was shown "perennial peanut" in small pots today at a nursery, but need to go look at an established "lawn" full of it(I know someone in this area to visit who has it.) Karen

Yes, too much sun for a true moss. Sagina subulata (Scotch or Irish moss, depending on coloring) likes full sun but it also prefers an organically rich soil with constant moisture and good drainage. Die out usually indicates either it's not getting enough moisture or too much (i.e. poor drainage). Other possible choices include Cotula squalida (syn. Leptinella), which is about the cushiest GC I can think of for bare feet :-) or Scleranthus biflorus, Herniaria glabra or wooly thyme. Wooly thyme flowers easily and thyme flowers attract bees in abundance, so be cautious when treading with bare feet during flowering season. With any of the very mat-like spreading groundcovers - like all mentioned above - you increase the distribution and therefore a more rapid spread if you cut the pots into chunks......usually 4 parts for a 3.5" pot. It will take time to get full coverage. Like any other type of plant, goundcovers need time to establish before they start covering up a lot of real estate, generally a couple of seasons. And some varieties tend to spread better/faster than others. IMO, cotula is one of the better choices for this type of situation. You will find differing cultural info on this plant, but in my zone 8+ PNW garden, it tolerates full sun well, is quite tolerant when established, not too fussy about soils but will establish faster in a richer rather leaner soil and like good drainage. And it is fully evergreen (or everblack, depending on selection :-))

Ajuga? Will that survive the dry spells--maybe once it's established? Lamb's Ear? There is a range of aggressive groundcovers. Creeping Jenny might be a 9 and you just need a 3, for example. Some of those things we're all trying to get rid of might be just what you want! Good luck!