Inviting Green Pathways

Melinda’s Garden Moments is heard Mon.-Fri. at 7:45 and 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on WHAV.

Melinda’s Garden Moments is heard Mon.-Fri. at 7:45 and 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on WHAV.

Connect different areas of the landscape or direct company to your front door with the help of a formal or informal path.

Neatly edged walkways of pavers, permeable pavers or stamped concrete are common elements of a formal or even informal landscape.

Soften these landscape features with a bit of low growing greenery. Low growing Mother-of-thyme and wooly thyme are great groundcovers to use around steppers.  They thrive in full sun and hot dry conditions.  Plus, as your feet brush against the leaves it provides a bit of aromatherapy for all who pass by.

Prostrate or creeping speedwell cultivars will thrive in full sun or partial shade. The plants are covered with blue flowers late spring through early summer.

Bugleweed (Ajuga) is a low growing evergreen groundcover that tolerates light foot traffic and shade.

And don’t overlook moss and woodchips for those heavily shaded locations.

A bit more information: There are many more plants to choose from. Mazus is a mat forming plant with blue, purple, red or yellow small snapdragon-like flowers in spring to summer. Alpine lady’s mantle has interesting foliage and yellow flowers spring to summer.   Serbian bellflower will tolerate light foot traffic and is covered with blue flowers for several months. Make sure the groundcovers you select are hardy to your area and not invasive.

For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com.