Patio Pavers Go Green in Between
Kind to the environment and easy on the eyes, pavers with moss or other foliage in the joints create a charming permeable hardscape
Cassy Aoyagi is passionate about California native foliage and sustainably crafting a distinctive California aesthetic. She is president of the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants and of FormLA Landscaping. Her work has been featured on the Eco Echo Park Home and Garden Tour, at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design, on the Theodore Payne Foundation Native Garden Tour, and a multitude of other Los Angeles garden tours. The Los Angeles Times and InStyle Magazine, among others, have featured gardens designed by Cassy.
Cassy Aoyagi is passionate about California native foliage and sustainably... More »
Permeable hardscapes greatly improve the overall sustainability of a property. They replenish the groundwater table with filtered water, reduce runoff and its impact on city infrastructure, and mitigate heat island effect.
Permeable patios are not just wise and responsible, they usually add a charming variability to an overall aesthetic. Not too long ago, I wrote about patios made of gravel and pavers. Many loved the look but had concerns about maintenance. If your heart is torn between clean and green, pavers with foliage joints may be the right path — or patio — for you.
Permeable patios are not just wise and responsible, they usually add a charming variability to an overall aesthetic. Not too long ago, I wrote about patios made of gravel and pavers. Many loved the look but had concerns about maintenance. If your heart is torn between clean and green, pavers with foliage joints may be the right path — or patio — for you.
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| As is the case with pavers and gravel, the pavers make the space easy to traverse, while the foliage allows moisture to permeate and creates a more restful aesthetic than a large, monotonous hardscape. In moist climates like this one, mosses make for appropriate joints. |
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by Shirley Bovshow
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| In California and other dry climates, choosing a drought-tolerant ground cover like dymondia will further enhance the sustainability of the space. |
| The larger and more consistently textured the pavers, the cleaner the look. |
A low-lying ground cover also makes it easier to maintain spotless perfection.
| Joints need not be large to produce the desired permeability. |
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| The simple, clean break in this patio, for example, allows water to permeate. From a design standpoint, it also breaks up what could be a cold patio, adding the warmth of flowering foliage and drawing the eye to the outdoor living space. What do you think? Is this the permeable look for you? More: 8 Great Ways to Use Landscape Pavers Pavers for the Perfect Patio and Path Renovation Detail: The Ribbon Driveway |
Ideabook published on April 24, 2012.
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Any thoughts on dealing with spring mud before the grass takes off? We live in Wisconsin and have 4 very distinct seasons.
So far we've had the best luck with white clover (the more water the better though) but it too can climb out of the trenches and send runners out over the pavers. When it works, its a beautiful look.
All suggestions are welcome.
Thymus ‘Archer’s Gold’ (Gold Thyme)
Bright gold foliage all year long, plus it has a nice aroma when crushed. Excellent for herb garden walkways, or around rose beds. Light lavender/pink blooms in late summer. Height: 2” Light: Full Sun Zone: 5
Thymus serpyllum 'Magic Carpet' (Magic Carpet Thyme)
Perennial. A new creeping thyme that forms a tight grip on the ground to make an impressive lawn substitute, border plant or pleasant planting between stepping stones. Deep green foliage has a nice scent when stepped on and explodes with carmen pink flowers in the summer. Height 2" Spacing 8". Moderate growth rate.
Thymus 'Spicy Orange' (Spicy Orange Thyme)
Perennial. This unique thyme will intrigue passersby when you use this as a walkway plant or curb planting. Light green needle-like foliage creeping along to form a nice green carpet that covers itself with soft pink flower spikes in the summer. Height 3-4". Spacing 8". Moderate growth rate.
Another possibility is:
Sedum 'Acre' (Goldmoss Stonecrop)
Delightful spreading groundcover forms patches of bright green and yellow foliage. It resembles moss until it becomes covered with masses of tiny yellow flowers. Creeping plants look great between pavers or in chinks of stone walls. One of the hardiest succulents available. Height 1-2" Light: Sun. Zone 4
This info is from the www.quansettnurseries.com website which has a great list of groundcovers. They mention if a groundcover is suitable for use between pavers and what kind of light and water they like.
BTW, plants we have for part sun to shade are:
Corsican MInt (mentha requienii), Irish Moss (sagina subulata 'aurea'), veronica reopens (creeping speedwell) for a mixed look between the stones.
A super comprehensive online resource for groundcovers between flagstones is: http://www.jeeperscreepersusa.com