Help needed with pathway

First let me show you what I am up against then I'll post my questions.



This is one part of the yard that I have never been happy with, the garden path to the playhouse.
This path also has a secondary function. During heavier rains the water runs down this path to the yard drain, so putting down a mulch or wood chips is out. I definitely want to work on this project early spring.

I thought of a crushed stone but dont want it to get all over the yard and fight stuff growing up through the crushed stone and walking stones, plus I want to keep it more Permaculture friendly.

I tried white clover but it did not do well.
I was very interested in a extremely low ground cover like moss but not sure if moss would do good in this area.
The area gets a lot of water and and sun from early noon till end of day.
The dogs may occasionally pee on it too...dam dogs
I am in Zone 7a

It doesn't need to be an edible or flowering but those would definitely be bonuses, especially if it flowered.

I like this look



I checked out Steppables.com but want advice from you folks.

Steppables

There are several varieties of Creeping Thyme that would be functional and beautiful there. One nice thing about Creeping Thyme is that you can walk on it and it will spring right back up.



https://www.highcountrygardens.com/perennial-plants/thyme/thymus-pink-chintz-nm

Ditto the creeping thyme.  I have some not in that setting, but it is sturdy, spreads, and is not invasive.  In between your stepping stones, it would be pretty.  It is green most of the time, it blooms purple in early summer.

The creeping thyme would probably look nice. I would just fit the stones closer together (3" ?? apart) and add more stones to make it a little wider. Make the stone pathway THE show piece with undertones of the thyme. Another row of stones and moving them closer together would also make it a practical walkway.

Since you already have the stepping stones in place, you probably won't want to do this, but I made a very serviceable path with landscape fabric, landscape timbers, and crushed stone.

Used lemon thyme seed which i ordered online. This type is supposed to only grow 2" tall but of course it grows taller than that (more like 3" - 4") Smile. When it is finished blooming in the late spring/early summer I take the lawnmower and set it to 2" and mow it. It grows back nicely and has been maintenance free for me. It does get watered regularly and I fertilize in early spring and late summer as well. I am very happy with it and just wanted to share my option.

The first picture shows it in the second year before it fully established itself. I planted moss roses inbetween to fill it out somewhat. Unfortunately the deer like them as well and they didn't last too long.

I like that a lot

Thank you. 

 I did forget to mention that we have large ponderosa pines that shed their needles, so I do have to hand pick them since they like to stick in the thyme.  Leaves blow off easily with a leaf blower.

SQWIB wrote:I like that a lot

+1