I have had a stepping stone path planted with Mazus reptans for about 4 or 5 years now. My path goes through a shaded (with some morning sun) area bordered with tall trees. I started with 6 or 8 plants and put them out about every 10 feet or so. The rest of the ground they were to cover was mulched with pine straw. I do supplement that area with water in dry spells, but for the most part everything grows on rain only. I kid you not, they had met and covered the area in less than two years. They put on a good spurt of growth in spring and then slow down their growth rate for the rest of the year. Once they slow down, I take some clippers and trim them off the stones, for some years, they will almost completely cover the stones with a low mat of foliage. I also use an edger to keep them out of the shrubs and perennials that border the path. It's possible the Mazus could choke out plants, but I have not given it a chance to do so. Again, I only have to do this once a year. The mazus has spread into full sun areas too where it looks for all the world like lawn (except when it blooms, of couse). It does fine in summer sun AS LONG AS it stays constantly moist. Every year it goes into an area that doesn't get irrigation and has sun, and every year, the summer heat fries it to a crisp. It's the craziest thing. I have tried transplanting my clippings (which have roots on them), but they rarely ever take. This year, I may try potting them up for awhile first... As far as traffice is concerned, several times I have had a heavy duty project going where I ran the wheelbarrow up and down the path several times a day for a week or two. The mazus inbetween the stones takes a beating and looks kind of sad, but it has recovered in short order every single time. Great plant. Blooms in white or lavender. I consider the blooms a bonus. Very few weeds can germinate and make their way up through it. When they do, they can be a booger to pull.

I am also a great admirer of the electric blue of the Dark Star. I think you could keep it the size you want, with only some lost of the bloom. Pruning it you would probably find a lost of bloom every other year as it grew back from the pruning. It is a relatively short lived plant for me, but with better care yours should last longer. Al

It's only toxic if you ingest it, I've planted if for years and I have dogs. Never an issue. It does not sound like you are planting it with your edibles, just near them. You can maintain boundaries by trimming with a serrated bread knife. Best garden tool ever. It's never been invasive for me, I have it as a carpet under annuals and fuchsias. I cut each cell of a six pack in half to get 12 pads to plant instead of 6. It spreads moderately. Check creeping Veronica (Speedwell) if you want a similar performer without the toxicity. Lots of plants we use are poison, daffodils, tulips, and ivy, oh my.

Thanks for the link. Looks like I won't be planting Blue Star Creeper :) I actually wouldn't mind it taking over the grass, because alot of it has died out and I think I actually have more weeds than grass now. I have one flowerbed though that I wouldn't want it to take over. So, does anyone know anything about Veronica (speedwell)? I was originally thinking of thyme, but someone on the perennial forum said it attracts bees.