In clay soil, cranesbill starts to decline after a few years. Its cup-shaped flowers bloom in pink or white most of the year. Pink cranesbillĬranesbill (Erodium reichardii) grows in low, tidy clumps of dark-green, heart-shaped, overlapping leaves. It’s reasonably fragrant, although the more intensely aromatic chamomile tea is made from the flowers of Matricaria recutita, an annual species that reaches 2 feet tall. Its dime-sized, white and yellow daisy flowers rise above apple-green, ferny leaves that are soft to walk on. Dragon’s Blood sedum (Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’) trails as well, with small, succulent leaves that are a dark, purple-red.Ĭhamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a fluffy, moderate-water perennial that presents a meadowy appearance. Pinch it back if it attempts to bust loose. Its trailing stems send out new roots as it ventures out. Goldmoss sedum (Sedum acre) is a dainty succulent perennial that bears lime-green leaves and yellow, springtime flowers. Many of the flattest stonecrops (Sedum) form prostrate mats of succulent stems, and will cooperatively traverse the gaps between stones. Inland, all prefer some protection from the hot, mid-day sun. These creepers are content with full sun to partial shade along the coast. But its best attributes are its tidy appearance, uniform height and low watering needs. A slight upward curl on the edges of each leaf provides a frosted, two-tone look.ĭymondia occasionally bears tiny, flat yellow daisy flowers. It is extremely flat, and bears slender, oval leaves that are green on top and gray underneath. While that’s great for enhancing pollination in your garden, you might not want to plant it in within a primary patio or pathway next to your front door.ĭymondia (Dymondia margaretae) is a good alternative. Dymondia, flanked by gold coin and Silver Dragon grass.Īlso, thyme’s rosy pink and lavender flowers attract honeybees. The taller spikes are pretty along the edges of paths or patios, but pose tripping hazards when planted in the midst of foot traffic. While most varieties form low-growing mats, some, such as Victor Reiter, bear summertime flower spikes that grow tall enough to stub toes. That’s something to be aware of, with the various thymes. Elfin’s foliage and occasional lavender flowers stay phenomenally flat. Elfin thyme on the right is flat as a pancake, compared with mother-of-thyme on the left.Ī dwarf version is Elfin thyme (Thymus serpyllum ‘Elfin’), which bears leaves so small that one is hardly discernable from the next. It will grow in difficult soils, from sandy to heavy clay, and it tolerates inconsistent watering. The petite perennial herb comes in many variations, all of which bear tiny, rounded fragrant leaves in shades of dark green, lime green, and even gold with a white edging. They can also choke out weeds for good.Ĭreeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum or Thymus praecox) is a perfect fit for hot, sunny paths in Central Coast gardens. These little guys will travel the gaps, don’t mind being stepped on and may even smell good in the process. But it’s just as easy to fill the cracks with creeping plants. Too often, the gaps are neglected and a catchall for weeds. The same goes for those narrow channels of dirt between loosely set flagstones or large pavers that compose rustic patios. Gaps between stepping stones can be among the most awkward spaces in the garden.
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