• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
Groundcover-That-Tolerates-Foot-Traffic.jpg

Groundcover That Tolerates Foot Traffic

My lawn is old and tired. I am thinking of replacing it with barren strawberry or some other groundcover that can tolerate some foot traffic. Will this work?

Barren strawberry (Waldsteinia ternata) will work in this situation. It prefers full to part sun and moist well-drained soils but benefits from watering during droughts. Avoid planting the look-a-like Mock Strawberry (Duchesnea indica) that can take over the landscape.

Spring cinquefoil (Potentilla verna) looks similar to the strawberry but prefers full to part sun and well-drained to dry soils.

Moneywort (Lysmachia nummularia) is a ground-hugging plant with round green leaves and yellow flowers in June. It tolerates full sun to full shade and moist to wet soils. Avoid using this near natural waterways where the plant can become invasive.

Bugleweed is a long time favorite under trees and shrubs but will tolerate a bit of light foot traffic.

Creeping and wooly thyme have long been used for this purpose. The fragrant foliage adds to its value. These plants need full sun and good drainage.

The creeping speedwells (Veronica repens and Veronica prostrata) provide nice green foliage and early summer bloom.

Add a few stepping stones to minimize foot traffic and stress on the plants. Look for more options this spring at your local garden center. Several growers offer collections of groundcovers for just this purpose.

Related

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


Feb. 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Organic Insect Pest Management for Vegetable and Flower Gardens

Register here

Feb. 14-16, 2025
NARI Milwaukee Spring Home Improvement Show
West Allis, WI

Feb. 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants

Register here

Feb. 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Create a Beautiful Shade Garden

Register here

Feb. 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
How to Select Rain Garden Plants

Register here

March 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Grow Pollinator-friendly Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs

Register here

March 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Register here


March 22, 23, 29, 30, 2025
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI

March 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Succession Planting & Crop Rotation

Register here

March 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Rain Garden Q & A

Register here

April 2, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Container Gardens for Sun & Shade
Register here


April 10, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Reinvigorate Your Rain Garden
Register here


May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here


May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property

Register here

June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds

Register here

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win 3 Collections of Longfield Gardens
Dahlia Bulbs

ENTER NOW