"Still, gotta admit, pulling random mint sprouts beats wrestling with weeds any day."
Haha, true enough—mint's relentless, but at least it's useful. I'm curious though, have you tried chamomile between stepping stones? I experimented with it last year and found it surprisingly durable under foot traffic. Plus, the scent when you step on it is pretty calming...kind of a nice bonus after a stressful day. Creeping thyme's been reliable for me too, but chamomile just adds something extra. Wonder if anyone else has had luck mixing different groundcovers together without one overtaking the others? Seems like balancing growth rates could be tricky.
Chamomile sounds lovely between stepping stones—I hadn't thought of that. I've been using creeping thyme for a while now, and it's been pretty solid. Mint, though...I learned my lesson the hard way when it took over half my herb bed. Now it stays safely contained in pots, haha. Mixing groundcovers seems doable if they're similar in growth habits. I tried blending sedum with thyme once, and it worked okay, but eventually the sedum got a bit bossy. Maybe chamomile and thyme would play nicer together? Might give it a shot next spring and see how it goes.
Chamomile and thyme might actually be a pretty balanced combo. I've had creeping thyme for a couple seasons now, and it's stayed pretty low-key compared to some other groundcovers. Chamomile seems gentle enough too—maybe they'd coexist without one bullying the other out? Curious if anyone's tried woolly thyme instead...I saw it at a nursery last weekend, and the texture was amazing. Could be another neat option between stepping stones.
I've had woolly thyme between stepping stones for about three years now, and honestly, it's been great. It's tougher than it looks, holds up well to foot traffic, and the texture really is something else—soft but sturdy at the same time. Definitely gives a nice contrast if you've got smoother stones.
But I gotta say, chamomile and creeping thyme together sounds like a solid idea too. I've seen chamomile used as groundcover before, and it always seems pretty chill. It doesn't seem aggressive enough to crowd out something like thyme, especially if you're dealing with creeping or woolly types. My only hesitation would be if your space gets a ton of foot traffic—chamomile can get a bit patchy if it's constantly stepped on.
Have you thought about scent at all? Woolly thyme has a mild fragrance, but creeping thyme tends to have a stronger herbal scent when you walk on it. Chamomile obviously has that gentle apple-like aroma. Mixing them could create a really pleasant sensory experience. I put lemon thyme in one corner of my patio, and every time someone brushes past it, it's like instant aromatherapy. Might be worth considering if you're aiming for that cozy vibe.
One thing I'd suggest is testing a small patch first to see how they interact in your specific conditions. Soil type, sunlight, and moisture can make a huge difference in how these plants behave together. You might find one thrives while the other struggles—or maybe they'll both surprise you and get along perfectly fine.
Speaking of groundcovers though, has anyone experimented with Corsican mint? I've heard it's pretty hardy and smells incredible, but I'm curious if it's actually durable enough for regular foot traffic or if it's better off in less traveled spots...
I've tried Corsican mint between stepping stones in my backyard, and here's my experience with it. First off, the scent is amazing—fresh and minty without being overpowering. Definitely a nice bonus when you're hanging around outside.
In terms of durability though, I'd say it's kind of borderline. If you're talking occasional foot traffic—like stepping stones leading to a garden bench or something—it's been fine for me. But for heavier use areas, it does get patchy pretty quickly. Mine started thinning out noticeably after a couple months in the busiest spots. I ended up moving it to the edges of the patio where people don't walk as much, and it's thriving there.
If you're really set on using Corsican mint, I'd suggest prepping the soil carefully (good drainage is key) and spacing your stepping stones close enough together that you're mostly stepping on stone rather than directly on the plant. It helps keep the mint healthy and full-looking.
Overall, it can definitely work if you're strategic about placement and realistic about how much foot traffic it'll get. Just don't expect it to hold up like creeping thyme or woolly thyme would...
