Stepables....what do you think

Does anyone have those cute little "STEPABLES" There are all kinds at Calloways and I was wondering if anyone has had a good perennial experience. I am thinking of putting them in a part shade to shade bed as a path.
I think I remember reading scotch moss was good and hardy in our zone but am not sure.

Anna, Mazus reptans is my favorite so far for the conditions your talking about. I'm going to try pushing it out into full sun this year. Do you remember if Calloway's has it? I paid a arm and leg for a small pot of it. I'd like to find more if the price is right.;0)

I'd also like to try peacock moss between stones, don't know if it will work. If anyone has experience with it.plmk

It was $4.99 for a quart container I think.

Maybe a smaller container...4"

Thanks! That's cheeper then what I paid locally. I divided my pot into four pieces and planted from that, then just keep pulling the runners and planting them. Slow going for the amount of space I'm trying to cover, but it's working. I'm going to stop by Calloway's before the RU and get some more. If you'd like to try and see how it does, I'll give you some at the RU.

Thanks. but I think I will buy some. I have a coupon so it won't be so painful.

I found the article by Neil Sperry. He recommended sedum sexangulaire as a good ground cover for sun. Have you ever seen it.

I think Stepables are overpriced. A lot of them are very cute, but others are commonly available at lower prices. Did you know, the same creeping thyme "pink chintz" on the Stepables table at Calloway's, is $2.49 three tables away in the herb section.

Sedum sexangulaire doesn't ring a bell. I've tried so many different sedum and they don't seem to like my soil. That, and I keep such poor records. If I ever did get a sedum that preformed well, I wouldn't remember what it was to buy more.lol

One sedum that I have and like (and remember) is 'John Creech' (sp)? tho I don't think I would walk on it, but between stone it would be nice.

I asked the succulent forum last year what my problem was with leggy looking sedum and they recommended good species for ground cover...I see if I can find that thread. I should carry that list with me on nursery visits anyway.

Do you grow thyme, Pattie? That's yet another I have trouble keeping alive. That's why I love the creeping St. John Wort (thank you again, it's looking great btw) those tiny leaves remind me of thyme :0)

Anna, here's the link if you want more sedum ideas http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/852058/

Lynea, have you tried the gold moss sedum we've been talking about on the trade thread? So far it's grown just about everywhere I could throw at it--shade, sun, bad soil, rich soil, dry, wet. I have seen some old stems get a little woody, but the new ones cover it up so fast that it doesn't get unsightly like dragon's blood or some of those. I'm bringing some to the RU next week for a couple of other people. Let me know if I can bring some for you too.

Forgot to say, I have only ever grown thyme as an herb, in a pot. I'm getting ready to plant the side of the house with the creeping pink chintz. I love it, so I hope it grows for me. And, if it doesn't, oh, well, the hypericum sure will. LOL.

This message was edited Mar 29, 2009 12:50 AM

Gold moss sedum in sun (grows but doesn't bloom in shade)

I thought I got some from you last year, but there is nothing in the garden that looks that good! If you don't mind bring me some sprigs and I've got a spot of full sun to stick it in. Thanks!

Let us know how the 'pink chintz' does...it sure will be pretty if it takes off! :0)

Thanks for the link..funny conversation! I couldn't download the reference info...guess my computer is still sleepy.
I have one thyme growing over a little wall for many years. All the others that I planted between the walkway stones never survived a season. Good advice on the $$$. That pink chintz sounds lovely. Are you going to plant it in full sun?

I like dwarf mondo grass, but it doesn't bloom. It's a nice, dark green, and very low.

some are more "stepable" than others. ajuga reptans 'metallica crispa' and 'chocolate chip' and labrador violets are great for the shade. The ajuga is more 'stepable'

My ajuga gets too much sun now that we've trimmed the trees, and the dwarf monkey grass is taking it over.

Didn't think of the dwarf mondo grass. It is very compact and well behaved in my garden. Alittle too slow growing in fact.

Has anyone tried that new black mondo grass? I'm intrigued by it, but could see it being really ugly if not healthy.

Anna, is there any reason or soil condition that would explain why that one thyme is doing well?

I've only used the black mondo grass in planters, but what I've had would be too tall to be considered a steppable.

I've also considered the dwarf mondo slow growing, bananna18, but in another thread some people consider it invasive.

I thought it was the raised bed/wall that it likes. Maybe I will try a transplant to see if it will grow between the walkway.

Anna, I'm planning to fill a 25-foot stretch on the side of the house with it. Most of that 25-foot stretch is partial to dappled shade, but there are areas with full sun. I'll just have to see how it does. Rather than spending a lot of money to fill the whole thing, I may just plant the sunny end and the more shady end. If it lives, I'll fill in the middle later. If it doesn't, I'll probably help the st john's wort spread that direction. Similar foliage.

Lynea, my sedum only looks that pretty in April, when it's blooming!

That sounds like a good plan. Keep your eye out for bargains!

I absolutely love the stepables.

I've tried almost every stepable available, ~~ no exaggeration. They have all done well for me.

Blue star creeper and mazus are my favorites, with mazus being the prettiest, but blue star being the toughest.

mazus is a bit on the thirsty side. It is carefree and looks great, until our three months of 100 degree weather hits, and then it becomes a really needy plant, needing to be watered daily.

I think they are a specialty item & that is why they can command their prices. True some you can find cheaper, but in general many are hard to find. Calloways always runs out within days sometimes, of setting them out.

I love the blue star too. I also really love the ones with the teeny little leaves about the size of a tick. So cute!

Yeah, I wouldn't mind paying the price for some of those that I haven't seen elsewhere. But I've seen them include Georgia Blue speedwell in the group, as well as some of the common sedums. Many nurseries around here carry those for about $2. Groundcovers just seem to be expensive in general.

Pattie, that sedum is lovely! If you have a few extra sprigs, I'll take some!

Do you have Blue star creeper in the sun? How much water does it need.

My blue star is in almost full sun. It is shaded a few hours by some crepe myrtles.

I watered it to get it going the first year, but have not given it supplemental watering since...

Here it is in my curbside garden.

close up

mazus between pavers in the same curbside garden

more on the other boulder

and mazus in bloom

very nice.

Oh, I love that blue star!

Sure, Stephanie, I'll bring you some of the sedum too. There's plenty.

Very nice. I hope Calloway's still has it.

When does the blue star bloom? I need a blue and white path. I don't where yet, I just know I need one.lol

I went back and looked at the date on the blue star creeper pictures and it was 5-3-08
so MAY

I can work with that, thanks! :0)

Do you remember how long it blooms for? (Wow..really getting detailed here!)