Annual Plant Sale

The Friends Plant Sale

What are STEPABLES®?

While visiting the trade show of the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association last summer, I had an a-hah moment when I passed the Stepables® Booth. What better thing to display on the center tiered step shelf at next year’s plant sale? After a little investigation it turned out to be a perfect choice in more ways than just a match with our display shelving.

STEPABLES® plants are groundcovers that come in a wide number of varieties. They are easy to maintain, reduce weeds, fill in quickly or slowly (depending on your need and the plant type) and give your landscape that special finishing touch.

There are STEPABLES® plants that tolerate foot traffic and can replace your need to mow. There are STEPABLES® for that difficult area in the shade under trees, around roses, fountains and ponds. They can reduce erosion on slopes and help fill out containers. They can be used to create interesting patterns and accents when combined with stones on pathways or even driveways.

Pretty much everyone has a problem area that STEPABLES® can enhance. Three years ago I bought two Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’ and they have been very well behaved. They look great with their diminutive leaves along the edge of my small border that has Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, an ‘Endless Summer’ Hydrangea, and an unknown purple clematis variety. Each year I add a Senecio Mandraliscae (Blue Chalk Sticks) from Atlock Farms. It ended up being a much better choice than the Vinca that was there before.

Spacing depends on the growth rate of the specific plant. The average growth rate is 6-8” in one year. Slow growing plants will spread an average of 2-4” per year. Fast growing plants will spread an average of 8-12”. Most of the plants that were ordered have a moderate growth rate.

Most homeowners have at least one problem area in their landscape that needs attention and STEPABLE® plants can help!

-- Karin & Marla
Plant Sale Chairs