A more unusual choice would be Scleranthus Uniflorus, sometimes known as hummock grass. It needs sun and good drainage, so some gravel underneath where you plant it is ideal. You can buy seed from PlantWorldSeeds.com. I have grown successfully from seed, but you need to be patient, doesn't spread very quickly. Leptinella Squalida "Platt's Black" is another nice option, and probably more readily available online. I have also seen Dierama Pulcherrimum growing between paving stones at Greater Dixter, and apparently it likes the moisture which is often trapped under paving stones. Good luck.
Lots of things self seed into mine and I let them stay if they look good and are not in the way. The most walked on bits have dog violets, which like the lime (most of my soil is acid) as does Helleborus foetidus - my best plant are in cracks in front of the sitting room window I also get Alchemilla which looks lovely in the spring, but can get rather too ebullient! I remove it from time to time but it always comes back. Though plenty of people don't, I personally allow pearlwort and moss in the cracks in shady parts, also pretty for shady bits is Herb robert, which is easy to pull up if you change your mind.
I also allow dandelions to grow in a couple of places (I know) but that is because
a) their fluffy faces mean spring and I like them...
b) they give me leaves to feed the guinea pigs, and
c) goldfinches eat most of the seeds. Sheer delight to watch them working their way methodically round each paving flag, eating seeds and leaving piles of little seed stalks and umbrellas
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I love fleabane (https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/32487/i-Erigeron-karvinskianus-i/Details) in paving.
Hi LG yes it does look nice, many thanks
I hope you can find the seeds alright but if not, I can save some from my plants this summer.
How very kind of you Elizabeth. I will keep in touch and let you know. Many thanks
A more unusual choice would be Scleranthus Uniflorus, sometimes known as hummock grass. It needs sun and good drainage, so some gravel underneath where you plant it is ideal. You can buy seed from PlantWorldSeeds.com. I have grown successfully from seed, but you need to be patient, doesn't spread very quickly. Leptinella Squalida "Platt's Black" is another nice option, and probably more readily available online. I have also seen Dierama Pulcherrimum growing between paving stones at Greater Dixter, and apparently it likes the moisture which is often trapped under paving stones. Good luck.
Aubretia is nice, you can get lots from a packet of seeds and mine has bloomed almost all year round.
Lots of things self seed into mine and I let them stay if they look good and are not in the way. The most walked on bits have dog violets, which like the lime (most of my soil is acid) as does Helleborus foetidus - my best plant are in cracks in front of the sitting room window
I also get Alchemilla which looks lovely in the spring, but can get rather too ebullient! I remove it from time to time but it always comes back. Though plenty of people don't, I personally allow pearlwort and moss in the cracks in shady parts, also pretty for shady bits is Herb robert, which is easy to pull up if you change your mind.
I also allow dandelions to grow in a couple of places (I know
) but that is because
a) their fluffy faces mean spring and I like them...
b) they give me leaves to feed the guinea pigs, and
c) goldfinches eat most of the seeds. Sheer delight to watch them working their way methodically round each paving flag, eating seeds and leaving piles of little seed stalks and umbrellas
Many thanks everyone for your contributions, I cant wait for the spring to come so that I can get started with some of your ideas,