American Nurseryman Magazine Staff \u2014 June 1, 2013<\/p>\n

Paths and walkways become intimately tied to the garden when interplanted with rugged groundcovers that can handle light foot traffic.<\/p>\n

\nClick image to enlarge.
\nTucked neatly between stepping stones in a courtyard retreat, blue star creeper (Pratia pedunculata) invites a garden visitor to stay a while.
\nPhoto courtesy of Stepables; www.stepables.com<\/em><\/p>\n

Stone paths, brick walkways, pavers that welcome a visitor to amble throughout the garden; these are elements that tie together a landscape and provide structure and flow. Such components encourage participation and become a permanent part of the site.<\/p>\n

But sometimes hardscape needs to be softened, and nothing does that better than the addition of groundcover plants tucked among the rock-hard elements that pave our way. There are dozens of selections of low-growing groundcovers in the trade, but those that are best suited for garden paths are able to take a bit of abuse. So the best way to categorize them is to determine how much foot traffic they can withstand \u2013 light, moderate or heavy. Keeping in mind individual cultural requirements, such as sun exposure and moisture needs \u2013 not to mention your clients\u2019 preferences \u2013 you\u2019re bound to find the perfect plant for the garden path.<\/p>\n

\nClick image to enlarge.
\nGreen carpet rupturewort (Herniaria glabra) provides a lush cover that seamlessly blends pathways into the garden.<\/p>\n

Light traffic<\/h3>\n

Is there a path that\u2019s seldom used, where visitors tread lightly? Try any of these handsome plants. An occasional footfall won\u2019t do too much damage, and might even release a delightful fragrance.<\/p>\n

\n
• Ajuga reptans (carpet bugleweed); zones 3 to 10<\/li>\n
• Alchemilla alpina (alpine lady\u2019s mantle); zones 3 to 9<\/li>\n
• Alchemilla ellenbeckii (lady\u2019s mantle); zones 6 to 9<\/li>\n
• Campanula poscharskyana (Serbian bellflower); zones 3 to 8<\/li>\n
• Cerastium tomentosum (snow-in-summer); zones 3 to 7<\/li>\n
• Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile); zones 4 to 9<\/li>\n
• Chrysogonum virginianum (goldenstar); zones 5 to 9<\/li>\n
• Cymbalaria muralis (Kenilworth ivy); zones 5 to 8<\/li>\n
• Erysimum kotschyanum (dwarf wallflower); zones 4 to 9<\/li>\n
• Fragaria chiloensis (beach strawberry); zones 4 to 9<\/li>\n
• Mentha requienii (Corsican mint); zones 7 to 9<\/li>\n
• Ophiopogon japonicus \u2018Nanus\u2019 (dwarf mondo grass); zones 6 to 11<\/li>\n
• Sagina subulata (Irish moss); zones 4 to 10<\/li>\n
• Soleirolia soleirolii (baby\u2019s tears); zones 9 to 11<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Click image to enlarge.
  \nLeptinella squalida (brass buttons)
  \nPhoto courtesy of Midwest Groundcovers<\/em><\/p>\n

  
  \nClick image to enlarge.
  \nSagina subulata \u2018Aurea\u2019 (Irish moss)
  \nPhoto courtesy of Midwest Groundcovers<\/em><\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Click image to enlarge.
  \nPhlox subulata \u2018Emerald-Blue\u2019 (creeping phlox)
  \nPhoto courtesy of Midwest Groundcovers<\/em><\/p>\n

  Moderate traffic<\/h3>\n

  If a walkway is used a few times a day, groundcovers that are a bit tougher can fill the voids nicely.<\/p>\n

  \n
  • Antennaria dioica (pussytoes); zones 3 to 8<\/li>\n
  • Leptinella squalida (brass buttons); zones 4 to 10<\/li>\n
  • Lysimachia nummularia (creeping Jenny); zones 3 to 9<\/li>\n
  • Lysimachia japonica var. minutissima (miniature moneywort, loosestrife); zones 5 to 8<\/li>\n
  • Mazus reptans (mazus); zones 5 to 8<\/li>\n
  • Phlox subulata (creeping phlox); zones 3 to 9<\/li>\n
  • Potentilla neumanniana \u2018Nana\u2019 (alpine cinquefoil); zones 4 to 8<\/li>\n
  • Pratia pedunculata (blue star creeper); zones 6 to 10<\/li>\n
  • Thymus pseudolanuginosus (woolly thyme); zones 5 to 8<\/li>\n
  • Thymus serpyllum (wild thyme); zones 4 to 8<\/li>\n
  • Veronica liwanensis (Turkish veronica); zones 4 to 9<\/li>\n
  • Veronica prostrata (prostrate speedwell); zones 4 to 8<\/li>\n
  • Veronica repens (creeping speedwell); zones 6 to 9<\/li>\n
  • Viola labradorica (Labrador violet); zones 3 to 8<\/li>\n
  • Waldsteinia ternata (barren strawberry); zones 4 to 8<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Click image to enlarge.
    \nThymus pseudolanuginosus (woolly thyme)
    \nPhoto courtesy of Midwest Groundcovers<\/em><\/p>\n

    
    \nClick image to enlarge.<\/p>\n

    Leptinella squalida \u2018Platt\u2019s Black\u2019 (Platt\u2019s Black brass buttons)
    \nPhoto courtesy of Midwest Groundcovers<\/em><\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Click image to enlarge.
    \nWho could resist taking a stroll along this path, interplanted with mazus (Mazus reptans)?
    \nPhoto courtesy of Stepables; www.stepables.com<\/em><\/p>\n

    Branded plants<\/h3>\n

    There are several brands of groundcover plants that can withstand the abuse of work boots \u2013 or sandals \u2013 which makes the job of selecting appropriate pathway plants a snap. Remember to verify just how much foot traffic a variety can handle.<\/p>\n

    \n
    • Foot Friendly (www.hortech.com)<\/li>\n
    • Forever & Ever Plants, including Walk on Me and Pathway Accents lines (www.foreverandeverplants.com)<\/li>\n
    • Hocus Pocus (www.midwestgroundcovers.com)<\/li>\n
    • Jeepers Creepers (www.jeeperscreepers.info)<\/li>\n
    • Plants that Work in Nooks & Crannies (www.plantsthatwork.com\/index.php\/programs\/nooks)<\/li>\n
    • Stepables (www.stepables.com)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      American Nurseryman Magazine Staff \u2014 June 1, 2013 Paths and walkways become intimately tied to the garden when interplanted with rugged groundcovers that can handle light foot traffic. Click image to enlarge. Tucked neatly between stepping stones in a courtyard retreat, blue star creeper (Pratia pedunculata) invites a garden visitor to stay a while. Photo […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-822","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nursery"],"yoast_head":"\n