The great thing is, that stones sort of keep the soil moist under themselves and plants can easily succeed there. I have golden oregano, creeping thymes of all kinds. Barbara Tingly oregano, veronica "georgia blue", slightly taller the purple lyre sage loves a spot like this, ajuga can succeed (depending on the type), phlox subulata...stepables used to let you plug in your zone and conditions on their website. You can't anymore but here's the link for garden stairs. Check out the variety - I'd head on towards a zone 8 hardiness for heat in your location. It is going to be HOT!

Here is a link that might be useful: Stepables: Stairs

ggg - many thanks. Some good recommendations. I've done a bit of reading about both the stepables and ajuga and phlox. Wondering if mazus would work also. There's lots of room on either side for the groundcovers to expand. Have a couple mazus THRIVING in shade. Can probably talk Bobby Gil.... out of a few more pieces.

You other members: please send your suggestions. I really want this to be planted right. Was a shade gardener for 20 years before I moved to this former pasture land and have to keep rejecting old favorites.

Rosie, Sugar Hill

Rosie, I have creeping jenny and moss phlox both growing in full sun. They took awhile to get established and don't spread as well as they do in part or full shade, but they can survive. The trick is to get them established. I love the color of creeping jenny and it is now growing between the cracks of my stone steps. I now have enough of both that I'm going to cut into the mound of phlox at the end of my driveway and transplant it to other spots. They look fantastic when they bloom and will cascade if you plant them on a hill.

buford, I too love the color and texture of the lysmachia. Will move some today and tent it for a few days to hopefully prevent transplant shock in the heat we're promised. May get a start of the phlox subulata to try there, and if I knew where to get them, would try some of the thymes ggg suggests. Know any sorta local sources?

Thanks!
Rosie, Sugar Hill

Rosie, I bought a lot of my thymes at an old herb nursery long since gone just outside of Athens called GardenSmith (My favorite place, ever!!!) they had a GIANT variety of thymes. Thyme after Thyme has quite a few too (Winterville).
Olive Forge Herb Farm is in Milledgeville (I've never been). Full Bloom Nursery in Gainsville looks like they sell herbs.
Heartease Nursery looks fantastic (look at the webite!) and it's near Dalonega. Nice election listed on the website!

Here is a link that might be useful: heartsease nursery

I've been pleasantly surprised by the durability of ajuga reptans, just about any variety of it. I thought it needed a cooler climate, until I saw that it had turned wild and was beneath the grass in several spots in my lawn. Right in there with some wild violets too. So taking a hint from what worked, I bought more ajuga, and it is all living in both my south Alabama garden and in our Massachusetts garden which is a zone 5B. Awesome plant. I love the bluish-purple fuzzy flower spikes it sends up too.

Another vote here for creeping phlox. I also like iceplant for blooms and foliage. Hot and dry can't kill it. There are an infinite variety of sedum that would do well there.

Rosie, have you tried Pikes? I know they can be expensive, but they have the Stepables line there. I bought some brass buttons there last year and it's spreading. I have it in a shady location however. I remember they had a bunch of creeping thymes.

Haven't been to Pike's since I dreamed up this latest project, but will. Thanks, Buford. I'd love to make the trip to Athen's area but don't want to spend the $$$s on gas.

Rosie, in Sugar Hill
p.s. Is this heat getting to anyone else?

What heat Rosie ;-)

Bearberry (Arcrostaphy los uva-uisi), Lace shrub (Stephanandra incisa 'Crispa'),Gold Band pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) are three choices for sunny slopes.

Do post pics.

Trivedi, thanks! The bearberry is interesting. The others way too large for my app but will be of interest to others seeking groundcover advice.

What heat??? Actually, today, at least now, is pleasant with a nice breeze.

I just wish it would rain. I hate to have to water. I'm hoping the heat will drive off the thrips that are decimating my roses.

Going Saturday morning with BobbyGil - hope I can find just the right groundcovers. Forget where all we're going. Will report.

Rosie

Rosie,
I'd be happy to share my groundcovers with you. If you are in Roswell area - I have ajuga, different sedums - you are more then welcome to them.
~Natalie

Natalie, HUGE thanks for your offer. Will write later today - off to Athens this morning.

I've always heard one should never buy ajuga = it's such a pass-along plant. I gave away tons when I lived in Roswell. And would love to have it and some sedums.

Rosie