Plant Experts (or novices), help me out, what plant can I use? (flowers, landscaping)

[bls5555]

The path to my front door and sunroom is big landscaping rocks. Currently it is just dirt between them. I am looking for some low groundcover type that will grow in between them but not get so big that it swallows up the rocks. I want it to fill in between the rocks but stay low and look nice.

Any suggestions?

[Ohiogirl81]

Is the area sunny or shady?

My favorites are vinca -- variegated or plain green -- produces small violet flowers in the spring, and creeping thyme,which produces small purple flowers in the summer.

If it's really sunny, dry and/or hot, a creeping variety of sedum would hold up to the sun.

[hcgCali]

Irish moss

[TheDragonslayer]

Blue Star Creeper [ Laurentia fluvilatilis ] stays within an inch or so in height, spreads nicely and has pale blue flowers. Creeping wooly thyme [ Thymus praecox ] also stays low, spreads very fast and is nicely fragrant and takes traffic very well. There is also Corsican mint [ Mentha requienii ] that is tiny and spreads very nice with a crushed mints smell when walked on. The thyme and mint spread very fast between the cracks of flagstone or brick. Blue star creeper prefers cool weather. The thyme can take most anything and the mint is a little less hardy. With any of these, the over growth can be cut away and rooted in other spots.

[azoria]

I like Irish moss too. Very pretty stuff.

Sedums. There are many varieties and some are perfect to fill in the gaps in rock pathways. Generally non-invasive and easy to control. Flowers.

Creeping Sedums - Fine Gardening Article

[paperhouse]

I tried vinca (minor) as a ground cover this summer on a hill. I'm having to mow it every 3 months because it grows so fast in full sun.

[azoria]

The groundcover, vinca minor generally with purple flowers, is a very invasive plant. It is also a haven for slugs and snails. Bad stuff.

It is unsuitable as a filler between path stones, as it is a low growing wildly spreading vine.

[bls5555]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

Is the area sunny or shady?

My favorites are vinca -- variegated or plain green -- produces small violet flowers in the spring, and creeping thyme,which produces small purple flowers in the summer.

If it's really sunny, dry and/or hot, a creeping variety of sedum would hold up to the sun.

It might get an hour or two of sun but not much more if even that. Someone had mentioned thyme before. Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Me definitely likey Irish Moss. Awesome suggestion. Can I get that from Home Depot or Lowe's or do I have to hit up a nursery? Thanks for the help. Also, should I plant this fall or wait for spring? The location is Kansas City, if that makes a difference because of temperature.

I like the Corsican Mint also. Same question as above. Nursery?

[si33]

..avoid any sort of vinca..very invasive..and will spread everywhere...

..some better-tempered suggestions:

creeping Tyme.. stays below 8" tall..with fragrant foliage..

sun rose ( Helianthemum)...closely related to the rock roses(Cistus)
but on plants which stay 5-8" tall X 3' wide.. nice silvery grey/green
foliage with white,pink,or orange flowers spring and summer...very tidy
plant..

Sedum..there are all sorts of species/varities...several spread and/or
have interesting foliage texture/color...

low growing varities of Campanula also stay low and provide blue flowers
in the spring... can spread a bit aggressively after a few years

blue fescue 'Elijah blue'..though this ones technically a bunching grass,..it usually stays pretty low(around 12") and provides a terrific accent for any landscape using large boulders in the design..adds spots of silvery blue and will slowly spread over time...

this is just a few of the options out there.. as for locating them..if lowe's or your local
nursery doesn't have them in stock,check to see if they can be ordered..a quality nursery
should be able to get them for you at reasonable cost..

[Flamingo13]

Have you thought about thyme?