"Have you (or anyone else here) tried mixing different ground covers together to balance durability and appearance?"
I've experimented with mixing ground covers before, and honestly, it didn't pan out as neatly as I'd hoped. The idea sounds great on paper—combining durability with aesthetics—but in practice, one species usually ends up dominating the others. Clover, especially, can be pretty relentless. I initially thought pairing it with creeping thyme would balance things out, but the clover quickly took over and started encroaching into my flower beds.
If you're set on mixing, I'd suggest clearly defined barriers or edging to keep things tidy. But honestly, if low maintenance is your goal, sometimes simplicity is better. I've had better luck choosing one hardy ground cover and sticking with it. Less hassle, fewer headaches, and a cleaner look overall.
I ran into something similar when mixing creeping thyme with ajuga. Thought it'd look nice—the purple blooms and all—but ajuga spread way faster than expected. Ended up having to separate them with stone edging...lesson learned, simpler is usually easier.
Had a similar experience with ajuga myself—it's definitely a vigorous spreader. I initially planted it around stepping stones, thinking it'd give a nice lush look. It did, but then it kept going...and going. Eventually, I had to dig out sections and put in a barrier to keep it contained. Stone edging was my solution too, and it's worked pretty well since then.
On the topic of lot sizes, I've found that bigger isn't always better. When we built our home, we thought we'd want a huge yard for gardening and landscaping projects. But honestly, maintaining it became overwhelming pretty quickly. Now I lean toward manageable spaces—enough room to enjoy but not so much that upkeep becomes a chore. It's all about finding that sweet spot between aesthetics and practicality, I guess.
Totally get what you're saying about a manageable yard size—maintenance can sneak up on you fast. Our first place had a huge backyard, and mowing it every weekend got old pretty quick. Now we're looking at smaller lots, but I'm wondering if there's a minimum size you'd recommend for still having enough room to relax or entertain a bit? Don't wanna feel boxed in either...
"Don't wanna feel boxed in either..."
Yeah, that's the tricky part—finding that sweet spot. Have you thought about layout instead of just size? I've seen some smaller yards that felt roomy because of smart design... maybe that's worth considering before settling on a specific square footage?
