Plants for Your Pathway
A path of stepping stones are able to make a mean garden instantly more inviting. Along with the ideal plantings make it even more magical. While gravel and sand are all great options to fill in areas between pavers, there’s something special about a gentle splash of green.
Selecting which type of ground cover to utilize can be rough. You need something that you can walk, that does not grow too high or too quickly, and is appropriate for your surroundings. Here are 6 ground cover options that do between pavers. Keep Reading to Determine which one is Ideal for you:
AMS Landscape Design Studios, Inc..
When exploring ground covers, be sure to understand which USDA Plant Hardiness Zone you’re in, or go to your regional nursery and ask them about the best options for your region. Consider what part of your yard that your pavers will be in. Will they be in shade or sun the majority of the time?
The Irish moss encircling these pavers works well in this shady side backyard.
Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture
This landscape designer utilized Dymondia margaretae, a lasting South-African ground cover that does best in USDA Hardiness zones 9-11.
“As ground cover, the major issue is to make sure that you’re not planting something which’s going to end up growing super high, therefore it does not cover the pavers,” states Drew Sivgall, creator of Southern-California established AMS Landscape Design Studios. “Make sure everything you use won’t grow above four inches, also it’s simple to mow cut or down.”
Next: 6 options to consider
Carson Poetzl, Inc..
1. Turf grass. Utilizing grass always a good alternative, particularly if it’s already incorporated into your landscape. Plant the grass seed or sod following your pavers are set up.
Carson Poetzl, Inc..
If you set this up properly, you need to be able to simply go over the pavers and grass with a mower. “Pavers are always slightly self-maintaining too,” states Sivgals. “If they’re in sunlight, they can get hot enough where nothing’s going to rise on top of those.”
The Garden Consultants, Inc..
2. Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum), USDA zones 4-8. That is a plant that does well in full sun, so place it in a hot, glowing path. Like the thyme you’re utilized to using in cooking, it has rounded leaves and a wonderful fragrance. But unlike its counterpart, creeping thyme grows nice and low to the ground (generally not more than 2 centimeters tall), and is very tough. It’ll grow in rather difficult lands and can manage inconsistent watering.
Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture
3. Elfin thyme (Thymus serpyllum ‘Elfin’), USDA zones 4-8. Elfin thyme is much like creeping thyme, but in tiny. It is just as aromatic as its larger counterpart, and blossoms with purple flowers in the summer. Elfin thyme is a very slow-growing ground cover, and generally won’t get more than 1-2 inches. It is pretty drought tolerant, but should be watered when the top 3 inches of soil is dry. It grows in small, hilly bunches in the colour, but will have a more flat and horizontal appearance when grown in sunlight.
Debora carl landscape layout
4. Baby tears (Soleirolia soleirolii), USDA zones 9-11. Baby tears is a bit more lush than creeping thyme and seems a bit like moss. It blossoms with lovely white blossoms in the spring and enjoy thyme, grows near the ground. It grows quickly in a sun-to-shade surroundings and requires far more water than creeping thyme or elfin thyme.
Ami Saunders, MLA
5. Irish or Scotch Moss (Sagina subulata), USDA zones 4-8. Irish (also called Scotch) moss isn’t actually a moss, even though it looks like you. It poses a very tight, compact group of small, soft leaves with a sponge-like appearance. Irish moss grows extremely quickly and isn’t very specific about land, but it does do better in slightly shady locations. Usually this is sold in flats, like sod. Just cut it into small strips and place it around your own toenails.
Debora carl landscape layout
6. Dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus), USDA zones 6-11. Dwarf mondo grass is a small, dark grass that grows in 4-inch tall clumps. It is much sturdier than the larger version and does best in filtered sunlight, even though it can withstand whole sunlight fairly well.
Also called dwarf monkey grass, dwarf mondo grass can retain its lush green colour even under drought conditions. It is insect resistant and just needs to be mowed once a year. They plants are slow growers, therefore it may take some time for them to fill out like those in the photo above.
What kind of ground cover has worked best for you around your pavers?
More ideas:
8 Great Ways to Use Landscape Pavers
3 Fuss-Free Ways to Garden
Your Yard: Are You Ready to Lose the Lawn?