Is there anything more beautiful than grass between pavers? Planting grass between pavers can soften harsh lines in your yard, help to stabilise the pavers, and inhibit the growth of weeds. Most gardeners want a grass that is easy to manage, low maintenance and won't grow over the pavers.
If you are unsure which species of grass is right for your garden, you can get accurate advice from the in-store horticulturalists at All Green Nursery & Garden Supplies. We also deliver grasses to homes and businesses around Melbourne.
When choosing grass to grow between pavers, you'll need to consider:
- How much foot traffic the area gets
- Whether it is in shade or sun
- The type of soil
Below, we've outlined some options that are suitable for the Melbourne area.
Grasses to grow in the shade
For shady yards, here are some plants that can grow between pavers:
Creeping Wire Vine
Creeping wire vine (Muehlenbeckia axillaris) helps to stabilise the soil, preventing erosion around pavers. This Australian native will grow in areas that may be too shady for other plants.
Creeping wire vine is suitable for areas of high foot traffic, requires little maintenance, and can be mowed. This hardy plant grows in neutral, alkaline or acidic soil. Established plants prefer dry-to-slightly-damp soil.
Blue Star Creeper
Pratia pedunculate or Blue star creeper is a popular ground cover is perfect for damp, shady environments. It presents blue and white star-shaped flowers during spring and summer. It will need extra water during dry conditions.
Baby Tears
Also known as 'angel tears' or 'helxine', baby tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) is native to the Mediterranean. It grows well in damp shade, covering the ground with a soft, velvet emerald green. This plant can be sensitive to frost and may die back during winter.
Baby tears can easily be divided to plant around pavers and require regular watering. Ideal for a shady rock or fern garden, or to act as ground cover under other plants.
Grasses to grow in the sun
Here are some grasses to consider for planting around paving in full sunlight:
Kangaroo grass
Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) is a native plant found throughout most of Australia. It is extremely tolerant to drought and very low maintenance. All you need to do is mow it once a year.
Kangaroo grass grows in tufts, with textured foliage so it can be used as an ornamental plant. It is suitable as a border to pavers, or in areas with low traffic.
Rupturewort
Rupturewort (Herniaria glabra) is a resilient plant that is suitable for high-traffic areas. It's the perfect choice when you're looking for grass between pavers. It grows in full sun or part shade, thriving in dry and sandy soil.
Flowering once a year, rupturewort reaches only a few centimetres high. This plant forms a soft ground cover, with a slow growth rate, so it's easy to maintain.
Mondo grass
Also known as monkey grass, mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicas) requires adequate moisture to survive and grows well in full sun or partial shade, producing deep green foliage. This grass is hardy and requires very little maintenance.
Native grasses to grow between pavers
Native plants can minimise water use in the garden, but may not survive if the topsoil has been significantly altered. Ask a horticulturist about which natives are suitable for your garden.
Basket Grass
Basket grass (Oplismenus aemulus/imbecilis) is a native Australian grass which grows well in damper areas with poor quality soil. It can be mowed, making it easy to maintain.
Native Viola
Forming a flowering carpet, native viola (Viola hederacea) is an attractive ground cover that complements paving. Plants are resistant to frost and prefer cold weather to dry conditions. It is best planted in the shade or alongside a fence or wall.
Native Kidney Weed
This native plant grows well in most soil types. Native kidney weed (Dichondra repents) thrives in moist and partly shady conditions, growing up to 10 cm high. Plants can be divided and planted to form a carpet around paving.
Flax Lily
Also referred to as blueberry lily, flax lily grows in a variety of conditions. Once established, it is very resilient for a wide range of temperature and rain conditions.
You can use it as a border for pavers to add low-maintenance diversity to your garden. The purple flowers attract birds, including parrots —increasing the biodiversity of your garden.
Exotic grasses to grow in Victoria
These grasses may be more suitable if the soil has been altered by fertilisers, stormwater, or to replace the topsoil.
Pigface
Pigface (Mesembryanthemum) is native to South Africa and produces delicate, daisy-like flowers in multiple colours. Plants are highly resilient and grow best in well-drained soil. This hardy ground cover will thrive in sandy, rocky, and sunny positions.
Woolly Thyme
Originating in Europe, woolly thyme (Thymus pseudolanguinosum) forms a low-growing ground cover. It grows well in sunny positions,and can tolerate both dry conditions and frost. Thyme is ideal for areas of high-traffic. Compact plants will fill the gaps around pavers neatly.
Dymondia
Native to South Africa, Dymondia — also known as silver carpet — is part of the daisy family. It grows neatly between pavers or stepping stones in full sunlight. Dymondia will tolerate both light frost and drought. It is suitable for areas of light foot traffic, and grows in well-drained, sandy, and slightly alkaline soil.
Choose the best grasses to plant between pavers in your garden
Rather than being limited to a single variety, you can plant a few different types of grasses between pavers for a natural look. Visit our nursery for more inspiration and gardening advice.
