Q: I have just moved into a rental property which had grass growing in all the cracks in the pavement and drive way. I have pulled up all the grass and I would like to plant something in the cracks by seed preferably (large area) that will either look pretty, or smell good when you tread on it. This would also keep the grass from growing back. I need something very hardy as it will have foot traffic. Any suggestions? I was thinking mint or Johnny jump ups.
Hardiness Zone: 11
Sally from Sydney Australia
A: Hi Sally,
If your looking for blooms with a nice fragrance that will stand up to foot traffic, you might consider miniature wormwood (Artemisia viridis). It has interesting pale green foliage, small gold/cream flowers and a pleasant smell. It's also drought tolerant and seems to stand up to plenty abuse. You may also want to try creeping oregano (bright green), creeping golden marjoram (golden green) or mounding marjoram (darker green), which has a minty fragrance and small pink flowers. All should be hardy to your zone and stand up to moderate traffic. Creeping thyme, carpet bugleweed and star creeper are also all fragrant with lovely little pink, purple or white flowers. Here are three web resources to explore: Stepables.com, classygroundcovers.com and jeeperscreepers.info Good luck!
Ellen
About The Author: Ellen Brown is our Green Living and Gardening Expert. Click here to ask Ellen a question! Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
another good one is any variety of thyme, especially the wooly kins, they'll come back, but aren't invasive, and smell heavenly when stepped on, i have them between my pavers on my paths, and im very happy with them.
try stonecrop,it is in the sedum family. it is a bright green trailing plant that is about 4-6" long. i have it between cracks in pavement and in cracks between rocks of my pond. i dont know about living in your zone. i do know it will take a beating and thrive. sedum usually will grow just about anywhere.
Sorry, I don't know about the gardening zones. Check out low growing herbs. They are aromatic and come back every year after the snow. We have creeping thyme and oregano in a brick walk. Smells very nice.
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