Chamomile between stepping stones sounds lovely—I did something similar a couple years back, but with creeping thyme. It held up surprisingly well to foot traffic and smelled amazing, especially after a rain shower. I totally get the Corsican mint struggle though; mine looked promising at first but just fizzled out after a few months. Sometimes it's just trial and error finding what works best in your own yard... Glad you found something that clicks!
"Sometimes it's just trial and error finding what works best in your own yard..."
Totally agree with this. I've tried creeping thyme too, and it really does handle foot traffic surprisingly well. One thing I learned the hard way: drainage matters a lot. If your stepping stones area gets soggy or stays damp longer than usual, even hardy ground covers can struggle. I had Corsican mint in a shady spot thinking it'd thrive, but it just never took off...too damp, I think.
If you ever decide to experiment again, woolly thyme is another good one. It has a nice silvery-green color and feels soft underfoot. Plus, it's pretty drought-tolerant once established. Anyway, glad you found chamomile works for you—sounds like a cozy setup.
Your chamomile setup sounds lovely—I bet it smells amazing when you walk through there. I had a similar experience with Corsican mint...thought it'd love my shady corner, but nope, it just sulked and faded away. Ended up swapping it out for Irish moss, which surprisingly thrived. Like you said, it's all about experimenting and seeing what clicks. Glad you found your cozy vibe!
Your chamomile and Irish moss combo sounds like a solid choice. Chamomile's great for scent and softness underfoot, and Irish moss is surprisingly durable once it settles in. I've noticed that a lot of people underestimate how picky mint varieties can be—Corsican mint especially. It seems like it should thrive in shade, but drainage and airflow play a huge role too. If you ever want to retry mint, maybe try prepping the soil with extra grit or sand to improve drainage. I had a client who struggled similarly, and after we amended the soil with some coarse sand and compost, the mint finally took off. But honestly, sometimes it's just easier to switch gears and go with something more forgiving like you did. Glad you found the right combo...nothing beats that cozy, inviting feel when you finally nail it.
Totally agree about the mint being trickier than expected. I had the same issue with Corsican mint—thought it would thrive in my shady corner, but nope, it struggled big time. Eventually tried your suggestion of mixing in sand and compost, and it did help somewhat, but honestly it was still finicky. Chamomile and Irish moss ended up being a lot less hassle for me too. Sometimes simpler really is better...especially when you're new to gardening and just want something reliable and cozy underfoot.
