skip to main content

Will thyme cover my path if I plant it between the stones?

18 years ago

Hi,

I'm in the process of building a stone path. I built another path just like this in the shade and used moss between the stones. This new section of path is in full sun and I plan to plant herbs near it. I am considering planting thyme between the stones here, but I'm afraid it will cover up the stones instead of just growing between them. Some of the stones are only about 8 inches across and the spaces between are not much more than an inch. The path is only about 2.5 feet wide.

Is there a thyme that will fill in between without covering the stones?

{{gwi:908256}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

granite
18 years ago
Elfin thyme is the smallest of the thymes.
I have a variety of thymes planted along my stepping stones and YES they can cover the stones. I just use scissors and trim my thyme back when it gets too rampant. I like the variety as it means staggered bloomings.

Here is a link that might be useful: gardens in 2003 with thyme in bloom
Vera_EWASH
18 years ago
I love your yard Granite!! Just simply beautiful :)

My type of creeping thyme definatley would hide the walk..Thymus serpyllum, Mother-of-Thyme.

Vera
Related Discussions
Best creeping thyme for a path?
Q
Comments (8)
Thanks Coolplantsguy-- the 'Elfin' and woolly thyme looked to be the ones that can take the most foot traffic, according to the Stepables website you directed me to before. Ken, yes, I get what you're saying. I would plant the thyme around the edges of my larger plantings and let it creep into the mulched area. I expect it will take a number of years, which is fine. I have more mulch! Thanks for pointing me to High Country Gardens, Laceyvail. Looks like they have a nice selection of thymes! BTW I love to eat thyme, too. One of the best herbs. And I wish I had a lot more of it -- pun intended ;)
...See More
Have Moss on Stone Path-What Companion Plant Can I Use As Edging?
Q
Comments (3)
A petite fern like ebony spleenwort would be attractive and the moss would help it to propagate more easily. Mouse eared coreopsis is a low growing plant as well as the ones that Waplummer mentioned. Alum root (heuchera or coral bells) in addition to the foam flower (tiarella sp.) would be nice.
...See More
Planting Creeping Thyme Between Pavers
Q
Comments (2)
Thanks. We scraped out the graven down a couple of inches and then mixed up some half-and-half soil-sand mix to fill in.
...See More
Plant suggestions for stone walkway
Q
Comments (2)
Some people plant thyme between pavers. It can spread fairly aggressively, though. In Colorado, people sometimes plant Turkish veronica (V. liwanensis) between pavers. You may get too much rainfall in southern Maine for it to survive, though. I like Veronica prostrata. It's evergreen and relatively flat except when in bloom, when it gets a couple of inches tall. But it doesn't spread as quickly as thyme and is more tolerant of moisture than Turkish veronica is.
...See More
SueKett
18 years ago
Mother of Thyme takes over the world...until it comes to a shady spot. I have it in a bed which has a definite shade line, & its funny how absolute the line is with the thyme!
jugglerguy
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks for the info everyone. I have Mother of Thyme in my garden now so I know that gets way too big. I've never heard of Elfin Thyme (or most other thymes), but that one's even going to cover my stones, huh? I guess I'll have to find something else.
kris
18 years ago
Have you been to www.stepables.com? If not then they have a boatload of ideas for you including 5 thymes for your area.

Be sure to check out some other varieties of thyme. There must have been atleast 5 different varieties at my nursury last time I went, I spent forever smelling the difference between them.

I was thinking of purslane but I think that your area is too cold for it, it's pretty though and can be used as a ground cover.
PacNWest
18 years ago
I have thyme growing between my rocks on my flagstone path and it never covers them, it is very low to the ground, pretty and keeps the weeds out. Sorry I do not know the exact verion of it, transplanted it from another area.

Related Stories

EDIBLE GARDENS Herb Garden Essentials: How to Grow Thyme

By Marianne Lipanovich

Common thyme and its flavorful cousins are anything but ordinary in the garden

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Plants for Your Pathway

By Vanessa Brunner

Pretty up your garden walk with the right ground cover between pavers

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Plant Your Steps for a Great Garden Look

There are benefits to allowing plants to invade your garden stairs

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Strawberries for All Seasons

By Paintbox Garden

An edible carpet? It's possible with a mass planting of this tough ground cover

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 24 Garden Paths to Inspire Memorable Journeys

By Annie Thornton

Winding or straight, narrow or wide, densely or sparsely planted — there’s more than one way to design a walk

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Hydrangea Arborescens Illuminates Garden Borders and Paths

By Curtis Adams

This long-blooming eastern North American native shrub finds a home in landscapes around the world

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Plant a Pocket Garden

By Lauren Bonar Swezey

This spring, add a touch of green to garden paths, patios, steps and walls

PLANTING IDEAS Plant Your Hardscape for Unexpected Green

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Nestle greenery among pavers, steps and more for a yard brimming with life and creativity

GARDENING GUIDES Pathway Plantings That Please the Senses

By LuAnn Brandsen

Add some color, life and intrigue beside your sidewalk with these 7 suggestions

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 15 Ideas for a Stunning Garden Path

By Laura Gaskill

Let your imagination roam as you consider the many types of walkways possible in your garden

Sponsored

More Discussions

list the problems with my pineapple sage

6

Mystery herb / plant

14

Cistus Incanus and Hormones

0

Herb Marigold 'Dropshot', a nice texture in the landscape.

21

Perennial Rosemary in zone 7a?

10