Last summer, we took a look at a gridded concrete outdoor space with grass for grout between individual concrete squares. With this summer upon us, we're looking at the idea in a little more detail and were wondering what plant species specifically would work well between stepping stones:
Creeping thyme is often used because it is a low, spreading plant that holds up well to foot traffic grazing above from stone to stone. It doesn't need very deep rooting and as a bonus it gives off a fragrant smell in your outdoor space. It is suitable for use in zones 4 through 9, which covers most of the United States.
The gallery above includes some examples of creeping thyme used between stepping stones for a little further visual inspiration.
Images: Lee Anne White/Fine Gardening, The Secret Garden, Blue Planet Gardening, Living Earth Landscapes, Marianne Majerus/The Guardian
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I just read this great article on thyme at shelterpop. By one of Apartment Therapy's favorite bloggers, Marie Viljoen of 66 Square Feet. In it she mentions wooly thyme [not sure if it's the same as creeping thyme] and how it's a great ground cover for in between stepping stones.
Being a thyme lover. I'm all for it. It's gorgeous, soft and smells good.What's not to love?
-anna
chateausavoie.com
Rare case of garden envy. Every tiny crack here in the subtropics will grow 6' weeds if you turn around, so expecting a monoculture between pavers is an exercise in frustration. Looks wonderful!
We have a flagstone patio out back, and planted creeping time in some small spaces around the edges. It's "creeping" quite nicely! I have also planted it in some of the other landscaped areas of the yard---love it! especially the variety with little purple flowers in the spring time!
I generally envy those living in humid plant-friendly environments (businessgypsy), but here in the arid west, I've got wooly time between large red sandstone pavers, and can vouch for its awesomeness. Only problem is winter splashes from salt-laden roads, which typically kills road-adjacent sections, and so needs spring time attention.
Suggestions for low sunlight area with stepping stones?
I have several different species of thyme all over the place, it's beautiful and sooooooooo tolerant. Wooly thyme is my fave. I just want to sit down and pet it.
Low sunlight: I have Mazus reptans between stepping stones in a shady area, and it grows just fine. Also, check out Irish Moss:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2910/
There is a company called Stepables that carries low-growing, hardy plants that can take foot traffic:
http://www.stepables.com/
I haven't done it, but I've seen Irish moss and real moss suggested for low-light stepping stone paths.
Corsican mint is tiny with little round leaves, beautiful, grows well in shady areas and spreads out very nicely. It doesn't dominate and go crazy like regular mint. Plus, when you step on it, it smells like heaven and you can put it in a salad, or a cocktail for that matter. Mojitos anyone? In our former house, we used it to replace part of our lawn where grass just didn't make sense (too steep to mow). We had a huge area to cover, so we saved money by growing it from seed in our basement under fluorescent lights in 4" pots, divided the pots into plugs, planted and let the mint fill in the lawn. It was amazing! Surprisingly, the neighborhood cats did not take up permanent residence there, though we humans frequently rolled in it.
The last picture features baby's tears, not thyme and for those looking for a perfect shade-loving ground cover, this is it!
Elfin Thyme is another good one!