Inexpensive & Beautiful Fix for an Old Patio

Replacing a weatherworn cracked patio may not be in the budget. But at Heritage Flower Farm they found a creative and attractive solution to this dilemma.

They just swept a few seeds of heat and drought tolerant perennials into the cracks and let them grow.

You’re probably not surprised to see a few varieties of thyme (Thymus hardy in zones 4 to 9) in this location. These plants have long been planted between steppers, providing an attractive ground cover and fragrance.

Creeping baby’s breath (Gypsophila repens hardy in zones 2 to 9) struggles in wet heavy soils but thrives in well-drained locations. The fine textured foliage and flowers help brighten the patio and attract butterflies.

These tough as nails dianthus (Dianthus hardy zones 3 to 9) add a bit of pink to the mix.

You may be surprised to see Golden chamomile’s (Anthemis tinctoria hardy in zones 3 to 7) cheerful yellow blooms peeking through the cracks. This drought tolerant plant is stunted due to the limiting environment, making it the perfect size for this use.

A bit more information: Another quick fix employs vining vegetables like squash and melons to cover cracks and soften the overall look of an old patio. Plant these in containers filled with quality potting mix. Then let the vines wander and cover problem areas, creating a welcome spot of green on your patio or deck.