The Hardy Ground Cover That You Can Walk On Without Harming—It Blooms Too

Ground covers serve several functions in the yard and garden — bare-spot coverage, weed suppression, erosion control — but it's a real bonus when a ground cover can substitute for turfgrass lawn by offering a texture, size, and sturdiness that makes a comfy cushion to walk on. Corsican sandwort (Arenaria balearica) is one of those ground covers, and it's hard not to smile when you look at this petite (from 2 to 6 inches high) plant. It has a mossy appearance, and its tiny leaves are adorable. Corsican sandwort's equally small white flowers are profuse and provide nectar for small insects. The plant also attracts butterflies.

If you're seeking an evergreen ground cover for stunning color all year round, you'll find this perennial brings various hues to your yard in small, subtle ways, with dark-red flower buds and stems, along with bright-green flower eyes. The ground-hugging Corsican sandwort is relatively easy to maintain and is especially well-suited to rock gardens and planting en masse. Despite Corsican sandwort's short stature, its long, trailing stems can cascade nicely over rocks or walls. It handles moderate to heavy foot traffic, making it ideal to use as an alternative to a regular lawn in yards where pets or young children might be running around. It is also among the plants that keep away deer.

Corsican sandwort is cold-hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8. You can start it indoors and transplant seedlings or plant it directly in the ground. If using seeds, check the seed packet instructions for possible cold-stratification needs. Grow it in nutrient-poor, sandy soil that drains well. Situate it in a sunny spot; it can also tolerate partial shade. Once established, Corsican sandwort is drought-tolerant, and its watering needs are low. Expect blooms in late spring or early summer, and prune only after its bloom season ends.

Corsican sandwort is a slow grower that can eventually cover an area a foot in diameter. Propagate by dividing or taking cuttings. You can anticipate a life span of about five years for the plant, so enjoy walking on this cushiony carpet as long as you can. Check tips and tricks for growing thriving ground cover plants in your yard to optimize your use of Corsican sandwort as a ground cover.