Many gardeners love the look of stone walkways, patios, and driveways, but these types of hardscapes have their difficulties. Many times, they may look too harsh or are prone to hosting stubborn weeds. A good solution to both of these problems is to add low growing plants between the stones. Not only do low growing grass and other ground cover plants soften the look of the stone, but they are a low maintenance way to keep weeds away.
Low Growing Plants for Walkways
In order for low garden plants to make good walkway plants, they need to have a few traits. First, they must be somewhat drought tolerant, as walkway stones may not allow much water to reach the roots. Second, they must be tolerant of both heat and cold, as the stones can hold onto both the heat of the sun in summer and the cold in the winter. Lastly, these ground cover plants should be able to take being walked on at least a little bit. Above all, they must be low growing plants. Here are several low growing grasses and ground cover plants that meet these requirements:
- Miniature Sweet Flag Grass
- Ajuga
- Golden Marjoram
- Pussytoes
- Mountain Rockcress
- Artemisia
- Snow in Summer
- Roman Chamomile
- Ground Ivy
- White Toadflax
- Creeping Jenny
- Mazus
- Dwarf Mondo Grass
- Potentilla
- Scotch or Irish Moss
- Most low growing sedums
- Creeping thyme
- Speedwell
- Violets
- Soleirolia
- Fleabane
- Pratia
- Green Carpet Herniaria
- Leptinella
- Miniature Rush
While these hardy low garden plants will work between the stones of your walkway, they are not the only options available. If you find a plant you feel will make a good walkway plant, give it a try.
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