Growing plants on pathways can beautify them and give a welcoming appearance to your house. Here are the Best Plants For Walkways.
When it comes to choosing plants for walkways, it is important to choose plants that are appropriate for the local climate and add natural beauty to what might otherwise be a bland or boring path. Read on to learn about the Best Plants For Walkways.
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Best Plants For Walkways
1. Rhododendron
Botanical Name: Rhododendron spp.
USDA Zones: 5-9
Rhododendrons are stunning flowering shrubs that are perfect for walkways due to their beautiful flowers and evergreen foliage. These are known for their large, colorful blooms that range in color from pink, red, purple, white, and more.
2. Irish Moss
Botanical Name: Sagina subulata
USDA Zones: 4-8
Irish moss is a low-growing ground cover that is perfect for walkways due to its tiny, emerald-green leaves that create a dense mat. It produces small, white flowers in the summer that add a pop of color to any walkway.
3. Moss Rose
Botanical Name: Portulaca grandiflora
USDA Zones: 3-11
Moss rose is perennial in frost-free zones but an annual in cold climates. This plant is ideal for walkways due to its low, spreading habit and vibrant, cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, yellow, and white.
4. Liriope
Botanical Name: Liriope muscari
USDA Zones: 6-10
Liriope produces spikes of small, purple, or white flowers in late summer that add great hues to any walkway. It is often used as a border plant due to its low, mounding habit.
5. Ferns
Botanical Name: Filicopsida
USDA Zones: 4-11
Some popular fern varieties for walkways include the Japanese-painted fern (Athyrium niponicum), which has purple and silver fronds, and the autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora), which has coppery-red fronds.
6. Astilbe
Botanical Name: Astilbe spp.
USDA Zones: 4-9
Astilbe, also known as false spirea, is a perennial flowering plant with feathery, fern-like foliage and plumes of delicate flowers in shades of pink, red, white, and lavender.
7. Daylily
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis spp.
USDA Zones: 4-9
Daylilies are easy-to-grow perennials that are perfect for walkways due to their low-maintenance nature and stunning flowers in a range of colors, including yellow, orange, red, and pink. Look at the Best Daylily Varieties.
8. Coral Bells
Botanical Name: Heuchera spp.
USDA Zones: 4-9
Coral bells are perennial plants with colorful foliage and delicate flowers that are perfect for walkways. The foliage comes in shades of green, purple, silver, and even black, and the flowers appear on tall, wiry stems in shades of pink, red, and white.
9. Sedum
Botanical Name: Sedum spp.
USDA Zones: 3-11
Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a low-growing succulent that is perfect for walkways due to its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soil.
10. Catmint
Botanical Name: Nepeta spp.
USDA Zones: 3-9
It is a perennial plant with fragrant foliage and delicate, tubular flowers in shades of blue, lavender, and pink. This plant is perfect for walkways due to its ability to thrive in hot, dry conditions and its resistance to pests and diseases.
11. Creeping Thyme
Botanical Name: Thymus serpyllum
USDA Zones: 4-9
Creeping thyme is a low-growing perennial herb that is perfect for walkways due to its ability to form a dense, aromatic ground cover. This plant produces clusters of small pink or purple flowers in the summer and can also be used as a culinary herb.
12. Fountain Grass
Botanical Name: Pennisetum spp.
USDA Zones: 4-11
Fountain grass is a group of ornamental grasses with tall, arching plumes of flowers that resemble fountains. This plant is perfect for walkways due to its unique texture and movement and can add a soft, graceful feel to any landscape.
13. Hydrangea
Botanical Name: Hydrangea macrophylla
USDA Zones: 5-10
Mophead hydrangea is a deciduous shrub with large, round clusters of flowers in shades of pink, blue, and purple. This plant is perfect for walkways due to its ability to add a bold, colorful statement to any landscape.
14. Boxwood
Botanical Name: Buxus spp.
USDA Zones: 5-9
Boxwood is a group of evergreen shrubs with dense, compact foliage that can be pruned into a variety of shapes and sizes. This plant is perfect for walkways due to its ability to create a formal, structured look and can add a classic, timeless feel to any landscape.
15. Lavender
Botanical Name: Lavandula spp.
USDA Zones: 5-10
Lavender is a group of aromatic perennial herbs with fragrant foliage and spikes of purple, pink, or white flowers. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil and can bloom from late spring to summer.
16. Hosta
Botanical Name: Hosta spp.
USDA Zones: 3-9
Hosta plants are herbaceous perennial plants with large, lush leaves and spikes of flowers in shades of white, lavender, and blue. This plant is perfect for walkways due to its ability to add a lush, verdant feel to any landscape and can also be used to fill in shady areas.
17. Ilex
Botanical Name: Ilex spp.
USDA Zones: 7-10
These evergreen shrubs feature glossy leaves and clusters of small, white flowers followed by bright red berries. Ilex prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
18. Moss Phlox
Botanical Name: Phlox subulata
USDA Zones: 3-9
It is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial plant with masses of small, colorful flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white.
19. Hornbeam
Botanical Name: Carpinus spp.
USDA Zones: 3a-9a
These are deciduous trees and shrubs with dense, fine-textured foliage that turns yellow in the fall. This plant is perfect for walkways due to its ability to add a structured look to any landscape and can also be used to create a natural privacy screen.
20. Zinnia
Botanical Name: Zinnia elegans
USDA Zones: 3-11
It is an annual plant with brightly colored, daisy-like flowers in shades of red, orange, pink, and yellow. This plant is perfect for walkways due to its ability to add a bold, cheerful touch to any landscape and can also be used for cut flowers.
Learn about Growing Zinnias in Pots
21. Begonia
Botanical Name: Begonia spp.
USDA Zones: 3-11
This flowering perennial plant comes with vibrant, colorful blooms in shades of red, pink, orange, and white. This plant is perfect for walkways due to its ability to add a splash of color and texture to any landscape and can also be used for container gardening.
Check out 50 Beautiful Pink Begonia Pictures
22. Lady’s Mantle
Botanical Name: Alchemilla spp.
USDA Zones: 3-8
Known for scalloped, fan-shaped leaves and clusters of small, greenish-yellow flowers. It can also be used for cut flowers or dried arrangements.
23. Alyssum
Botanical Name: Lobularia maritima
USDA Zones: 5-10
Alyssum is a low-growing annual plant with masses of small, sweetly scented flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil.
25. Geraniums
Botanical Name: Geranium spp.
USDA Zones: 3-11
Cranesbills are a group of hardy perennial plants with attractive, finely cut foliage and a profusion of brightly colored flowers in shades of pink, purple, and blue.
26. Heart-Leaf Bergenia
Botanical Name: Bergenia cordifolia
USDA Zones: 3-8
Heart-leaved Bergenia is a tough and hardy perennial plant that is perfect for walkways due to its attractive, heart-shaped leaves and clusters of pink or white flowers in early spring.
27. King Edward Yarrow
Botanical Name: Achillea filipendulina ‘King Edward’
USDA Zones: 4-9
King Edward Yarrow is a hardy perennial plant with finely cut, fern-like foliage and clusters of bright yellow flowers in mid-summer.
28. Pansies
Botanical Name: Viola x wittrockiana
USDA Zones: 7-11
These are colorful annual plants with flat, rounded flowers in a wide range of colors, including purple, blue, yellow, orange, pink, and white.
29. Violets
Botanical Name: Viola odorata
USDA Zones: 3-9
Violets are charming and versatile plants that can add a touch of color and fragrance to any walkway. They have heart-shaped leaves that are a glossy green color, and their flowers can be purple, blue, or white.
30. Rock Cress
Botanical Name: Aubrieta deltoidea
USDA Zones: 4-7
Rock Cress, also known as Aubrieta, is a rugged and reliable plant that is perfect for edging walkways and pathways. It has a spreading habit and forms a low, dense mat of foliage that is covered with a profusion of tiny flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
31. Sea Thrift
Botanical Name: Armeria maritima
USDA Zones: 3-9
Sea Thrift is a hardy and attractive plant that is perfect for walkways, borders, and rock gardens. It produces a clump of grass-like leaves and has tall stems topped with small, globe-shaped flowers in shades of pink or white.
32. Silvermound
Botanical Name: Artemisia schmidtiana
USDA Zones: 3-7
This compact, low-growing plant, with its silvery-gray foliage, is perfect for a walkway garden. It can form a soft, flowing mound that adds a touch of elegance and texture to the surroundings.
33. Creeping Jenny
Botanical Name: Lysimachia nummularia
USDA Zones: 4-10
This is a vibrant plant with bright yellow leaves that spreads rapidly and creates a dense mat of foliage that hugs the ground. Its trailing habit makes it an ideal choice for planting along walkways.
34. Hens and Chicks
Botanical Name: Sempervivum tectorum
USDA Zones: 3-11
This succulent plant forms rosettes of fleshy leaves that grow close to the ground. With its ability to tolerate poor soil and drought conditions, it makes an excellent choice for a low-maintenance walkway plant that can add a touch of interest with its unique texture.
35. Pachysandra
Botanical Name: Pachysandra terminalis
USDA Zones: 5b-9a
This evergreen ground cover has glossy, dark green leaves that provide a rich, lush look to any walkway garden. It can thrive in the shade and create a low, dense carpet that can suppress weed growth and offer a uniform look to the garden.
36. Impatiens
Botanical Name: Impatiens walleriana
USDA Zones: 9b-11
With its brightly colored flowers and abundant blooms, this plant can bring a splash of color to any walkway garden. It is easy to grow, thrives in the shade, and can provide a carpet of flowers that adds a cheerful and inviting atmosphere to the surroundings.
37. Scabiosa
Botanical Name: Scabiosa columbaria
USDA Zones: 3-9
With its long, slender stems and delicate, lavender-blue blooms, Scabiosa is a beautiful addition to any walkway garden. It is a low-maintenance plant that can tolerate full sun or partial shade and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
38. Happy Face Cinquefoil
Botanical Name: Potentilla fruticosa
USDA Zones: 3-7
With its cheerful, yellow blooms that appear throughout the summer, Happy Face Cinquefoil is an excellent choice for a walkway plant that can brighten up any space.
39. Speedwell
Botanical Name: Veronica spicata
USDA Zones: 4-8
This perennial plant has spikes of violet-blue flowers that bloom from late spring to mid-summer. It is easy to grow and can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions.
40. Echeveria
Botanical Name: Echeveria
USDA Zones: 9-12
Echeveria is a great choice for a walkway as it can be planted directly on the ground or in containers, making it easy to create beautiful, low-maintenance pathways.
41. Canna Lily
Botanical Name: Canna
USDA Zones: 8-11
Canna lilies can be planted in a mass to create a bold statement or spaced out to create a more subtle effect on the walkways. They do best in full sun but can also tolerate partial shade.
42. Spider Lily 
Botanical Name: Hymenocallis littoralis
USDA Zones: 6-11
The Spider Lily is an excellent choice for a walkway, thanks to its glossy, dark green foliage that adds an elegant touch to any garden. The fragrant flowers also attract pollinators, making it a great way to bring some extra life to your walkway.
