I'm looking for low growing herbs, or ground cover to go in between sandstone pavers. Any ideas?

Question

Maybe something that will release a pleasant smell when stepped upon. The area is mostly shady, about 2-3hours of sun a day. USDA Zone 4.

Thanks a bunch.

Answer 1

Creeping Thyme is your best bet.  It is a low to the ground ground cover, isn't bothered by being stepped on.  In fact when it is stepped on, it releases a light, pleasant lemon scent.  It even has tiny flowers!  What more can you ask?  :)

I just found this site which gives an excellent description:

http://www.humeseeds.com/efcthym.htm

Answer 2

Lemon thyme.  It smells just like lemons and has a beatuiful graceful foliage.  It grows quickly and is a perennial.  I just used it in a great marinade yesterday

Answer 3

Other than thyme, there are also varieties of chamomile that can be grown as a lawn, so wouldn't mind being stood on - and they also smell good.

Not sure about the shade though, I thought both thyme and chamomile prefered sunny areas. No harm in experimenting though, a lot of information about growing plants makes it sound like they need a huge amount of care and intervention - but most of these plants originally grew wild so give it a go.