Another good groundcover, Valeriana montana:


It's also fragrant though I can't say I've really noticed the fragrance wafting around... but there's so much fragrance in the air at that time of year that maybe it just doesn't stand out.

Low-growing spreading Campanula species might be considered too, e.g. Campanula cochleariifolia and C. portenschlagiana... too spready for the rock garden, but good in a border application like this.

Edit: Actually, it is Campanula poscharskyana that I meant to say is somewhat invasive.

I found this picture in the data base but no information. Very beautiful clump-shot. How tall and wide does it get?

Ohhh, nice one, and that's about the size I was looking for. I think. I can't find any info on it. I assume it's something new?

It may be a newer cultivar (wouldn't know as I don't follow cultivar introductions particularly) but they are all just (usually) slight variations on the species, C. portenschlagiana.

Actually, Campanula poscharskyana is the one I was thinking of as being rather spready, not necessarily a bad thing for this usage.

http://www.missouribotanicalga...

I found some information earlier about the Dalmation Bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana 'Get Mee') and put it into the data base. Check again later, it has not been approved yet.

All great ideas, I've enjoyed following this thread. Here are my stone steps with Thymus serpyllum 'Coccineus' growing in nicely. I have had poor luck with other thymes getting woody and scraggly in their centers, but this one has so far stayed nice and full.

I love it! Thanks for the advice, good to know.

Beautiful steps! It looks like you have a gorgeous property!

Just lovely! Beautiful home and landscaping.

Thanks, all. My son designed and built this particular area, which leads to a firepit. Here's a before and after shot of the project from approximately the same angle - key in to the bush lonicera. [ Proud Mom ]

That is so beautiful!! Your son is very smart and thoughtful to do this for you.

Thank you Susan. All those years of dragging him off to nurseries as a reluctant child evidentally paid off! Midway through his 2nd year of college, and after working summers for a landscape installer, he decided to study landscape architecture. This was his after-graduation gift back to my husband and I for helping him out through college. What a treat for me.

Love it!

Great work!! Just awesome...

Some of the trailing Tiarella would be nice in the shaded areas.
http://www.terranovanurseries....

Bonehead the area looks great.

Very nice, I like that. I was initially trying to plant it in mostly natives, and succeeded somewhat. Obviously the Japanese maple is nowhere near native to this area, but I have a cousin who has a huge JM collection and couldn't pass up that kind of deal. Still working on the plantings, I'm kind of slow at that, and tend to change my mind often (I dug out about 5 rock roses that were just too pink for me and replaced with orange) I also planted in a lot of kinnikinnik and some very nice grasses gifted to me from Springcolor (many thanks). It's a hot spot - on the west side of a hill facing the prevailing wind and I'd rather not have to irrigate so am trying to introduce drought tolerant plants as well.