walk needs plants between slate

I have a walkway that needs something growing between the pieces. Some of the spaces are about three to four inches wide, some closer. One walk is in full sun, the other has sun in the mornings. Anyone have any suggestions on what I could plant there? I would like to start with seed as it would be so much easier. I plan on planting annuals and maybe some spreading roses on the sides. I have 21 grandkids, so it WILL be walked on a lot! Thanks for any suggestions.

I use creeping thyme - it grows easily from seed. Once established, it can take foot traffic pretty well, and smells lovely when crushed underfoot. :)

Lamb's Ear grows easily...and can be tromped on a bit (once established). Don't have seed but I don't think Youngsville is that far from me...want some "dig ups" to get ya going? Swing by sometime, puddlegum...but you HAVE to tell me how you got your DG name! ô¿ô

I can tell ya! Puddlegum is a character out of C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe". Ask your DD about him. :)

THAT'S where I heard that name! Sheesh! And here I sit...with a plain name like "Horseshoe". I declare!

mazus reptans, it's really great, blooms very pretty purple in the spring, stays green all year and you can walk on it. it's very short and spreads really easy. I've got it in half and full sun.

Ya and I have more weeds than horses.Just never ending is it? Got my name from the guys at the carwash when I took my truck in and had weeds growing in the bed of it!If I had been in my town it would be no big deal,however I was in Ft Worth and they gave me a hard time!Weedlady I am!

Puddlegum (great name) I think gardenwife's idea of Thyme is one the best bets. There are lots of varieties. I have about 15 or more different ones and have two walkways with thyme at the edge or in open areas. Too bad we don't live closer i could give you lots of starts. 17 grandkids!!! None of mine live close, only have 6. Donna

I was going to suggest the mazur reptans as well. It really hugs the edges of stones and the ground. Has very pretty flowers. I started with one plant and it has spread nicely between the stones. It is in morning shade and afternoon sun. Also I love Corsican Mint for a nice neat tiny leaved plant. The bonus is when stepped on or crushed it releases the aroma of creme de menthe. Let us know what you do use and how it goes.

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I'll look up some of them to see what they look as I haven't heard of them.
I have two barrells that have some spreading plant that has taken over the whole barrell. The plant is a light lime green color with round leaves about 3/8" wide. I think it puts on a tiny white flower. Looking down at the plant it looks like tiny green roses. It gets brown in the winter. Anybody know what this is? When it gets out of the barrell it will hang down to the ground. Don't know what would happen if it was walked on.
Is the common name for nazus reptans Figwort? Are seeds available?

http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/photoa/E190.jpg

I can send you a few starts for postage

I looked up "creeping thyme" on google and got lots of info. Donna, where did you find the best source for your many varity of thyme seed? or did you buy plants and make plugs? One of the sites said don't direct seed, but start indoors. Also, how much soil needs to be taken out between the slate? How did you do yours? The soil in the walk in my rose garden is not the best, but does get full sun.

tig, that would be great. How do I go about doing this? Where is Newnan? We will be driving down to Tarpon Springs, Fla in a couple days, on 75 I think. Is that anywhere near you?

no, I'm on I-85, but I could send a good start for 3.95 postage. I'll email you my address.

does anyone know a source for seeds for mazus reptans or other "stepable" ground covers? they sell them locally in 4" pots but OUCH they are spendy!

I have corsican mint in between the stones on my walkway, they smell very minty when stepped on.
I also have blue star creeper on parts of the walkway, they look gorgeous when blooming, and I also have some of the mazur reptanz. the mint is my favorite, it has the tiniest flowers...you have to have a magnifying glass to see the flowers...

In NYC we use an aggregate of urban grit, sand, heavy metals, ash, tar, decomposed animal poop and motor oil through which the occasional blade of green projects. Mildly odoriforous. Extremely durable underfoot.

Personally, I prefer the scent of thyme or mint..., which sounds like a lovely idea.

Adam.

LOL, Adam. You could market that grass; if it can survive that, it can survive anything! ;)

Carena, I can send a bit with your co-op stuff.

Thanks TiG, you are an angel!

Puddlegum, it sounds like your barrels are full of Bacopa, which is very popular to grow in hanging baskets. They self-seed a lot, and also are called (at least here) Kenilworth Ivy. I am not sure if it really is the same plant, but they sure are beautiful. Also very steppable. And hardy.

Another suggestion for the full sun, with poorish soil, is prostrate rosemary. It stands up well under foot traffic, and also smells great! It is marginally hardy for me, but for you should thrive.

This morning I spent 10 minutes writing a list of groundcovers for shade for a post office worker, and I will be happy to send that along to you, if you need more ideas. Most of them are very hardy to foot-traffic.

Tig, thanks for the offer of the plants. I've just gotten back home from Fla. and I don't see your email so I can mail you. Put plants or something in the body so I can recognize it. I get so much junk mail and sometimes it gets deleted if I don't recognize it.

Thanks everyone for all the good ideas. The mint and thyme sounds good. If I can find some at garden centers, can I just cut them in 1/2 " pieces and plug them in? Or is best to start with seed?

On this green stuff I have, I'll see if I can figure out how to post a picture here. Haven't done that yet.
You guys are so helpful, and I have lots to learn.
Carol

Puddlegum, I got my thyme at different places, and did buy plants. Never tried seed. Some kinds spread much faster than others. I will be glad to send you starts of one of mine that grows around the edge of the pools, for postage. Let me know. Donna

I would love to get some of that really dense, short thyme - is it thymus nanus? It almost looks like moss, neat stuff!

Actually I don't remember which thyme it is that i have a lot of. It is a dense grower and fairly deep green. Blooms but i think only every other year, a rosy purple color. Anyone that wants some for postage let me know. Donna

rutholive, just saw your note. Yes, I would like some starts of the thyme. I found some green ones at a nursery, but you say yours is a rosy purple? Sounds wonderful. Will it grow with morning sun?
I am putting them between slate pieces in a walk. I'm guessing you have to take out the soil about an inch down, am I right? Thanks, let me know the shipping cost.