Groundcovers for Stepping Stones

These selections will take light (occasional) to moderate (once or twice a day) foot traffic. Plants for heavy foot traffic areas are marked (HT). All are evergreen in the Pacific Northwest except where noted.

PLANTING

Plant at same depth as in the pot. Soil depth should be equal to that in the pot, however, some will grow in a shallower soil depth. Replace sand between stones with a well draining soil medium before planting. For small spaces, some varieties may be cut in thirds or quarters using a sharp knife. Solid flats may be cut into small plugs, or long, thin strips to fill narrower areas.

SUN / PART SHADE

These thrive with at least 4 hours of midday or afternoon sun, or sun all day.
PUSSY TOES Antennaria rosea
RUPTUREWORT (HT) Herniaria glabra
BLUE STAR CREEPER (HT) Pratia pendunculata
DARK BLUE STAR CREEPER (HT) Pratia ‘County Park’
IRISH or SCOTCH MOSS (HT) Sagina subulata
WOOLLY THYME (HT) Thymus pseudolanguinosus
WHITE THYME (HT) Thymus ser. ‘Albus’
RED THYME (HT) Thymus ser. ‘Coccineus’
ELFIN THYME (HT) Thymus ser. ‘Minus’
GEORGIA BLUE SPEEDWELL Veronica pen. ‘Georgia Blue’

PART SHADE / SHADE

These thrive with up to 4 hours of morning sun, or full or dappled shade all day. Minimize afternoon sun.
CORSICAN MINT Mentha requienii (not reliably evergreen)
NEW ZEALAND BRASS BUTTONS (HT) Leptinella spp.
RUPTUREWORT (HT) Hernieria glabra
BLUE STAR CREEPER (HT) Pratia pendunculata
BABY TEARS Soleirolia soleirolii (not reliably evergreen)