Something that looks a bit like lavender to soften the edge of steps but……

[Thatwaskindoffun]

I have some steps bordered by a sloping lawn and between the lawn and the steps I want to plant something that flowers for a long period in the summer. Love lavender but have heavy clay so it just won’t work.

Not sure what else would work in full sun heavy clay but a very rainy west wales.

Would love some suggestions, thanks.

I think it’s possible to have success with salvias in clay soil.

You could try Erigeron ( Mexican fleabane)? Also in West wales and it seems to grow very well here, seeding itself in every tiny crack, flowers for ages too

Erigeron but you might need to add lots of grit.

Ooh cross posted ...great minds and all that

I have heuchera Coral Bells and heuchera Starry Night bordering my steps. They don't flower for a particularly long time but the colours are lovely year round, they will tolerate partial shade and clay soil. Growing well on the very rainy west coast of Ireland.

vinca, if it’s a separate bed - otherwise it will take over…

Orkney cherry geraniums. They are small and bright pink and grow on my heavy clay very easily. I have them spilling over the edge of my paths and in a sort of rockery area.
Don’t mind sun or shade.

I should have maybe said, in the border the other side of the steps, I’ve got a salvia hot lips, fleabane, huchera and hardy geraniums.

This side that borders the lawn I want the same thing from top to bottom, maybe a different type of salvia is the way to go.

I don’t know what vinca is I don’t think, about to google.

Basically I’m sulking because I want lavender and can’t have it 😂

I tried this year expecting it to die and it did.

Nepeta/catmint would work.

I wondered about nepeta as I really like it but had written it off as not being able to cope with my clay soil when it’s really wet.

Definitely nepeta, this is my lavender substitute for my heavy clay soil (obviously doesn’t smell in the same way) works a treat.

You do know Vinca! AKA Periwinkle

@minipie you’re absolutely right, as soon as I googled and saw periwinkle I knew

Ok so it seems nepeta it is. One last question, is my cat likely to trash it? Are cats really attracted to the plant itself or just once it’s dried as cat nip?

I’m in S W Wales on wet clay - I was going to suggest erigeron(fleabane) and salvias. I’ve got ‘Hot Lips’ plus another called ‘Royal Velours’. Nepeta is doing ok but doesn’t always last here. I put some in in May but I’ve never kept one over winter.
I find the only lavender that works for me is Hidcote. That seems to be ok. The fancy French ones just die.

Some cats go mad for nepeta plants, others, my current and last cat included, ignore it. But it is really tough, and mine survive my neighbour's cats mauling it.

What about an alchemilla (lady's mantle)? There are some that don't spread too readily. I personally love the frothy green flowers.

Hydrangea?

Nemesis? I've got clay soil and it grows very well

Grrr nemesia! Not nemesis

Potentilla?

I was going to suggest Nepeta and it grows well in our clay soil

Second this. Resilient, long flowering and incredibly pretty

Some of the salvias look a wee bit like lavender, colour wise, if that would suit you.

Campanula, it'll spill over onto the steps and look nice

Prostrate rosemary? (Made the man at my local garden nursery wet himself laughing by asking for “prostate rosemary”…

I don't think that will do well in clay soil (it is nice though, even if it requires a moments thought to remember the 'r' )