which plants [other than moss] could you use to make the softest velvety green surface to walk on?

Question

it doesnt have to be hard wearing. i want to use it as a natural surface to do tai chi and magickal [green man] type invocations to do with absorbing earth energy.

Answer 1

Clover is soft & doesn't require fertilizing because it snatches nitrogen out of the air, bringing this most essential fertilizer "down-to-earth" all at no cost to you. Clover's also has the ability to aerate the soil, thus reducing concerns over soil compaction.It tolerates compacted soil better than lawn grass does. It's longer roots, enabling it to access water at deeper levels. Clover attracts bees, so you'd have to be careful if you go bearfoot.
http://landscaping.about.com/cs/lawns/a/clover_lawns_4.htm
Here's a forum discussing clover as an alternative to grass:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lab/msg032138374912.html
Also take into consideration that white clover is a choice food for deer and elk.
http://www.gardenguides.com/plants/factsheets/groundcover/factsheet.asp?symbol=TRRE3

Consider either mints, or a low growing creeping thyme such as "Elfin" which is one of the shortest.
http://mountainvalleygrowers.com/groundcoverthymes.htm
Pink Chintz Thyme and Mint Thyme are close on the heels of Elfin with similar color and woolly texture but spreading out further.
http://mountainvalleygrowers.com/thypraecoxarcticuspinkchintz.htm
Spicy Orange thyme, creeping lemon thyme and Caraway thyme all bear pink blooms and stay short ...4" or less.
There are other "flavors" of creeping thyme, including lime, oregano, lavender and coconut. Some types bear variegated foliage.

As your feet brush against the thyme, its fragrance will be released! The Elizabethan writer, Francis Bacon had this fact in mind when he refers to thyme in his essay, Of Gardens. In listing desirable plants, Bacon mentions:

"[T]hose which perfume the air most delightfully, not passed by as the rest, but being trodden upon and crushed, are three; that is, burnet, wild-thyme, and watermints. Therefore you are to set whole alleys of them, to have the pleasure when you walk or tread."
http://landscaping.about.com/od/herbplants/p/creeping_thyme.htm

Corsican mint (M. requienii). Smells like peppermint. Grows only half an inch tall & has small, purple flower. Grows in shady areas.
http://www.newsobserver.com/387/story/178724.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentha_requienii

Good luck! Hope this is helpful.

Answer 2

Irish moss also called babies tears is a beautiful ground cover plant that spreads...quickly LOL. it doesn't stay green in winter but comes back in the spring. You will often see this growing by streams and waterfalls and is produces a lovely carpet of emerald green all summer. Sorry I don't know the correct name but you can google it. I have loads and sell it on my little tiny stall that I open in my front garden when weather permits.
Also Chamomile makes a lovely lawn, but you'll have to look up the correct name for the low growing variety. It is also scented. All the best, Hezzie

Answer 3

I have heard that all pure black cats have Siamese in them...and I believe it's true, since many black shorthair cats have an oriental look to them (slender tail and face, long legs, etc.) If she is a shorthair, she's probably not an Angora mix, as they have exptionally long, silky fur. But anything's possible! Congratulations on having such a lovely pet :)

Answer 4

the native violet is a plant you cant go past it is hard wearing soft to touch and adds little blue, white and purple flowers durind spring. I've used on paths to soften the whole feel of the area and i know it would be perfect for your situation.

Answer 5

Clover and thyme would be great to step on to do tai chi

Answer 6

grow a chamomile lawn. It smell lovely when you walk on it, and id hard wearing enough for what you want.

Answer 7

Well, people used to make lawns from camomile - soft, green, and sweet smelling ( I suppose you could make tea with it too!).