What do you plant between stepping stones?

User

16 years ago

I want something that can take drought as well as not grow up too tall since we'll be walking on it. Any suggestions?

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Comments (6)

moogies
16 years ago
Dichondra!!! (actually, I didn't plant it - but it looks pretty) :)
red_geranium
16 years ago
I have sweet but tough dichondra carpet a gravel path in filtered sun and by a downspout. It is a volunteer. I really do like it and it takes alot of travel but it stops where the sun directly shines on it. I have tried thyme between sunlit stones but evidently not the right variety. I think the stones get too hot. Right now it has "disinigrated" to grass but we weed whip that down and it looks OK. Would like something else, not prickly or squishy. Hope you get lots of ideas here!
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Zinia ,I have scraped sections of moss from different areas of my yard ( it doesn't seem to grow that deep )and along with it about a quarter to half an inch of underlying soil and placed them between my stepping stones. I would then stomp on the moss to get it to ,sort of adhere to the ground underneath. I have even run my wheelbarrow loaded with wood over the areas and so far so good.Even if some of it dies, there should be enough to propagate more. I dont know what type we have here in pennsylvania ,or whether its the same you have in N.C...I too got tired of grass growing between the stones and hopefully the moss will choke out most of any grass trying to fill in the same area. And best of all no trimming is required....Tom in PA.
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Mazus is definitely a poor choice as it grows quickly over pavers. You might look at something like Lysimachia japonica 'Minutissima' which is far less aggressive. Another go-to for semi-shade is Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluvatilis. It is evergreen and a moderate grower with tiny star-shaped flowers. You also may wish to consider Leptinella squalida 'Platt's Black' (Brass Buttons) for an interesting foliage effect. It will probably be deciduous in your zone though (at least it was last winter in 7A, though I hear it is at least semi-evergreen in Zone 8 and reliably evergreen in Zone 9). Finally, you could always use slow-growing, evergreen, and shade loving Mondo grass or dwarf Mondo grass. Check out the Stepables website (www.stepables.com) and use the "Find The Right Plant for the Right Spot" search function to see some more options. Good luck!
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I just planted Mentha Requienii around some stepping stones - a very low growing mint that doesn't seem too invasive. Its maybe a half inch tall and has leaves even smaller than Baby's Tears. Has lavender flowers in summer. The root system is not much bigger than the plant above ground so it pulls up easily. But I like Ajuga very much - what a trouble free plant. The bronze and purple leaved varieties really set off the colors of the plants above them. Other people I know grow various thymes and they are beautiful. I also like some of the smaller sedums but they aren't going to take foot traffic.
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I have a pile of shingles leftover from a roofing project. I put these down between the beds and right up to the lumber raised edge to help keep the weeds out. It works fine, and gives a nice walking path. However, dirt and leaves blow in and this year grasses are sprouting ON TOP of the shingles, in the shallow layer of dirt. My fenced edge is next to the lawn. Shingles help beat back the grass on that side. Last week I added another layer of shingles because the grass is pesky, sending runners over the top. The shingles make it easier to whack back the grass now and then. Shingles work for me. I might have to buy another pack in a year or so... wildrose
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little_dani
16 years ago
I like to plant dwarf Mondo grass between stepping stones or flagstones. It can take full sun as long as it gets some water sometimes, and will do well in shade as well. It doesn't seem to be bothered by any amount of foot traffic. I really do like it.

Look at the second picture that Melvalena posted in the thread "Pictures to make you drool-" on this forum. That is Mondo grass in that pathway.

You might want to check out this site.

Here is a link that might be useful: Check out these plants too!
denisew
16 years ago
Yep, those are the plants I was talking about that I saw at Calloways. I saw a segment about them on Gardening by the Yard and the lady who coined the name, "Stepables" said she uses them for the entire pathway instead of stepping stones. I know at my house, no matter how tough a plant might be, I really need a harder surface to withstand the traffic of three boys, two dogs and one husband, so would use the stepping stones and then plant the stepables inbetween.
User
Original Author
16 years ago
Denise, do you remember which variety you saw? I did the search survey & it didn't come up with any plants that will work in zone 8 in full sun with heavy foot traffic. I left all the other choices as "any" to try to widen the search.
texanjana
16 years ago
Creeping thyme

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What do you plant between stepping stones?

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moogies

red_geranium

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What do you plant between stepping stones?

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moogies

red_geranium

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