Are you looking to enhance the beauty of your outdoor space by growing ground cover plants between pavers? Ground cover plants not only add a touch of greenery but also help to prevent weed growth and reduce soil erosion. In this article, we will explore nine wonderful ground cover plants that are well-suited for growing between pavers. These plants are low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and capable of withstanding foot traffic. Let’s dive in and discover the perfect ground cover plants for your paver pathway or patio.
1. Creeping Thyme
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a popular choice for filling the gaps between pavers. Its fragrant, tiny leaves release a pleasant aroma when stepped on, making it a delight for the senses. Creeping thyme is a versatile ground cover plant with the following key features:
- Tolerates light foot traffic: Creeping thyme can handle occasional foot traffic, making it suitable for pathways and patios.
- Drought-tolerant: This plant is adapted to dry conditions and can withstand periods of limited water availability.
- Requires well-drained soil: Creeping thyme thrives in soil that drains well, preventing waterlogging and root rot.
- Attracts pollinators: The tiny flowers of creeping thyme are a magnet for bees and butterflies, adding beauty and supporting local pollinators.
2. Corsican Mint
Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii) is a low-growing, aromatic ground cover that thrives in the shade. It forms a dense mat of tiny leaves and releases a refreshing minty scent when touched. Consider the following characteristics of corsican mint:
- Thrives in moist soil: Corsican mint prefers soil that is consistently moist but not waterlogged. Regular watering is necessary to maintain its lush appearance.
- Performs well in shady areas: This plant is well-suited for areas with limited sunlight, making it ideal for shaded pathways or patios.
- Requires regular watering: Corsican mint has high water requirements and needs to be watered regularly to stay healthy and vibrant.
- Not suitable for heavy foot traffic: Due to its delicate nature, corsican mint is best suited for decorative areas with minimal foot traffic.
3. Irish Moss
Irish Moss (Sagina subulata) is a moss-like ground cover plant that forms a lush green carpet between pavers. It is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your outdoor space. Key attributes of Irish Moss include:
- Tolerates light foot traffic: Irish Moss can handle light foot traffic, making it suitable for pathways or areas with occasional stepping.
- Thrives in moist, well-drained soil: This plant prefers soil that is consistently moist but well-draining to prevent waterlogged roots.
- Requires partial shade: Irish Moss performs best in areas with partial shade, as direct sunlight can scorch its delicate foliage.
- Produces delicate white flowers in spring: In addition to its vibrant green carpet, Irish Moss produces small white flowers in spring, adding a touch of beauty to your landscape.
4. Blue Star Creeper
Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis) is a fast-spreading ground cover that creates a dense carpet of tiny, star-shaped blue flowers. It is an excellent option for filling the gaps between pavers. Consider the following notable features of Blue Star Creeper:
- Tolerates moderate foot traffic: Blue Star Creeper can handle moderate foot traffic, making it suitable for areas with slightly higher usage.
- Thrives in full sun or partial shade: This plant can adaptto a variety of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade, making it versatile for different areas of your outdoor space.
- Requires regular watering: Blue Star Creeper needs consistent moisture to thrive and should be watered regularly, especially during dry periods.
- Attracts butterflies: The delicate blue flowers of Blue Star Creeper attract butterflies, adding beauty and attracting beneficial pollinators to your garden.
5. Mazus
Mazus (Mazus reptans) is a low-growing ground cover plant that produces small, vibrant flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white. It spreads quickly, forming a dense carpet between pavers. Consider the following characteristics of Mazus:
- Tolerates light foot traffic: Mazus can handle light foot traffic, making it suitable for pathways or areas with occasional stepping.
- Adapts to different light conditions: This plant can tolerate both full sun and partial shade, making it versatile for various areas in your outdoor space.
- Requires regular watering: Mazus prefers consistently moist soil and should be watered regularly, especially during dry spells.
- Produces colorful flowers in spring: Mazus blooms in spring, showcasing its beautiful purple, pink, or white flowers, which add a pop of color to your landscape.
6. Baby’s Tears
Baby’s Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a delicate, cascading ground cover that is perfect for filling the gaps between pavers. Its small, round leaves create a lush carpet-like appearance. Consider the following features of Baby’s Tears:
- Tolerates light foot traffic: Baby’s Tears can handle light foot traffic, making it suitable for pathways or areas with occasional stepping.
- Thrives in moist, shaded areas: This plant prefers moist soil and shade, making it ideal for areas with limited sunlight or as an underplanting in shady gardens.
- Requires regular watering: Baby’s Tears has moderate water requirements and should be watered regularly to keep the soil consistently moist.
- Provides a lush, carpet-like appearance: The dense growth of Baby’s Tears creates a beautiful carpet-like effect between pavers, adding a touch of elegance to your outdoor space.
7. Elfin Thyme
Elfin Thyme (Thymus serpyllum ‘Elfin’) is a compact, creeping thyme variety that is well-suited for growing between pavers. It forms a dense mat of tiny leaves and produces pink flowers in summer. Consider the following characteristics of Elfin Thyme:
- Tolerates light foot traffic: Elfin Thyme can handle light foot traffic, making it suitable for pathways or areas with occasional stepping.
- Thrives in well-drained soil: This plant prefers soil that drains well and is not overly wet to prevent root rot.
- Drought-tolerant: Elfin Thyme is adapted to dry conditions and can withstand periods of limited water availability.
- Produces pink flowers in summer: The pink flowers of Elfin Thyme add a splash of color to your outdoor space during the summer months.
8. Brass Buttons
Brass Buttons (Leptinella squalida) is a unique ground cover plant with small, fern-like leaves that form a dense mat. It is well-suited for growing between pavers, adding a touch of texture and visual interest. Consider the following features of Brass Buttons:
- Tolerates light foot traffic: Brass Buttons can handle light foot traffic, making it suitable for pathways or areas with occasional stepping.
- Adapts to different light conditions: This plant can tolerate both full sun and partial shade, making it versatile for various areas in your outdoor space.
- Requires regular watering: Brass Buttons prefers consistently moist soil and should be watered regularly to keep it healthy and vibrant.
- Provides unique texture: The fern-like leaves of Brass Buttons create a distinctive texture that adds visual interest and a touch of elegance to your outdoor space.
- Low-maintenance: Brass Buttons is a low-maintenance ground cover plant that requires minimal care once established.
- Great for rock gardens: This plant is often used in rock gardens, as it complements the natural beauty of rocks and stones.
9. Woolly Thyme
Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) is a unique ground cover plant known for its fuzzy, silvery-gray leaves. It forms a dense mat and is an excellent choice for filling the gaps between pavers. Consider the following characteristics of Woolly Thyme:
- Tolerates light foot traffic: Woolly Thyme can handle light foot traffic, making it suitable for pathways or areas with occasional stepping.
- Thrives in well-drained soil: This plant prefers soil that drains well and is not overly wet to prevent root rot.
- Drought-tolerant: Woolly Thyme is highly adapted to dry conditions and can withstand periods of limited water availability.
- Provides a soft, silvery-gray carpet: The fuzzy, silvery-gray leaves of Woolly Thyme create a soft and visually appealing carpet-like effect between pavers.
Conclusion
Adding ground cover plants between pavers is a fantastic way to enhance the beauty of your outdoor space. The nine plants mentioned in this article, including Creeping Thyme, Corsican Mint, Irish Moss, Blue Star Creeper, Mazus, Baby’s Tears, Elfin Thyme, Brass Buttons, and Woolly Thyme, offer a range of options to suit different preferences and growing conditions. Whether you’re looking for fragrant herbs, colorful flowers, or unique textures, there is a ground cover plant that will thrive between your pavers. So go ahead and create a stunning and low-maintenance pathway or patio with these wonderful ground cover plants.
