Steppable groundcovers for between pavers on the Front Range
Quick answer
12 plants make our list of steppable groundcovers for between pavers on the Front Range. Examples include Blue grama grass, Buffalo grass, Clustered field sedge, Angelina sedum, and Creeping thyme / wild thyme. Each is rated for Colorado Front Range conditions and drawn from the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List and regional extension references.
Steppable groundcovers tough enough to plant between flagstones and pavers on the Colorado Front Range. These low, walkable plants soften hardscape and fill the gaps in a path without minding the occasional footstep.
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Compare these groundcovers at a glance
| Plant | Mature height | Water | Colorado native | Hardiness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue grama grass | 8 to 18 in | low water | Yes | USDA 3 to 10 |
| Buffalo grass | 4 to 8 in | low water | Yes | USDA 3 to 10 |
| Clustered field sedge | 8 to 18 in | low to medium water | Yes | USDA 3 to 9 |
| Angelina sedum | 3 to 6 in | low water | No | USDA 3 to 9 |
| Creeping thyme / wild thyme | 1 to 3 in | low to medium water | No | USDA 4 to 9 |
| DOG TUFF™ grass | 4 to 6 in | low water | No | n/a |
| Hens and chicks | 2 to 6 in | low water | No | USDA 3 to 8 |
| Kent Beauty ornamental oregano | 4 to 8 in | low to medium water | No | USDA 4 to 9 |
| Moroccan pincushion flower | 1 to 3 in | low water | No | USDA 5 to 9 |
| Turkish veronica | 2 to 4 in | low to medium water | No | USDA 3 to 8 |
| WINTER FIRE® sedum | 3 to 6 in | low water | No | USDA 5 to 8 |
| Woolly veronica | 1 to 3 in | low to medium water | No | USDA 3 to 8 |
Ordered Colorado-native first, then alphabetically, not a quality ranking. Full list below.
All 12 plants
Blue grama grassBouteloua gracilis8 to 18 inlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3 to 10
Buffalo grassBouteloua dactyloides4 to 8 inlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3 to 10
Clustered field sedgeCarex praegracilis8 to 18 inlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3 to 9
Angelina sedumSedum 'Angelina'3 to 6 inlow waterUSDA 3 to 9
Creeping thyme / wild thymeThymus serpyllum1 to 3 inlow to medium waterUSDA 4 to 9
DOG TUFF™ grassCynodon 'PWIN04S'4 to 6 inlow water
Hens and chicksSempervivum tectorum2 to 6 inlow waterUSDA 3 to 8
Kent Beauty ornamental oreganoOriganum 'Kent Beauty'4 to 8 inlow to medium waterUSDA 4 to 9
Moroccan pincushion flowerPterocephalus depressus1 to 3 inlow waterUSDA 5 to 9
Turkish veronicaVeronica liwanensis2 to 4 inlow to medium waterUSDA 3 to 8
WINTER FIRE® sedumPetrosedum rupestre 'Rice Creek'3 to 6 inlow waterUSDA 5 to 8
Woolly veronicaVeronica pectinata1 to 3 inlow to medium waterUSDA 3 to 8
Frequently asked questions
- How big do these groundcovers get?
- Mature heights range from about 1 to 18 in across the 12 groundcovers on this list. Each plant's page lists its exact mature size and spread.
- Which of these are Colorado native?
- 3 of the 12 groundcovers are Colorado natives, including Blue grama grass, Buffalo grass, and Clustered field sedge.
- How much water do these plants need?
- Every plant here is rated low or low-to-medium water in our data once established, water-wise choices for Colorado's semi-arid climate.
- How were these plants selected?
- Each of the 12 plants meets this page's criteria and is cross-referenced against the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List, CSU Extension, Denver Botanic Gardens, and USDA PLANTS. This is a reference guide, not a paid listing.
Related guides
- Front Range plants that are toxic to dogs
- Xeric groundcover for the Colorado Front Range
- Lawn-alternative groundcovers for the Front Range
- Groundcovers for under trees on the Front Range
- Deer-resistant plants and shrubs for Colorado's Front Range
- Native plants of Colorado for Front Range yards
- Xeriscape plants for Colorado